Anfonwyd ar ran Llywodraeth Cymru / Sent on behalf of Welsh Government
Saesneg yn isod / English below
COVID-19 a’r Safonau Gofynnol Genedlaethol ar gyfer Gofal Plant a Reoleiddir i blant hyd at 12 oed: 14 Ionawr – 30 Mehefin 2021
14 Ionawr 2021
Annwyl Gydweithwyr,
Ar 8 Ebrill, 24 Mehefin a 8 Medi 2020, cyhoeddodd Llywodraeth Cymru Gylchlythyron (LlC 005 20; LlC 007 20 a LLC 009/20) yn darparu gwybodaeth a chanllawiau am y trefniadau dros dro mewn perthynas â llacio rhai o’r gofynion yn y Safonau Gofynnol Cenedlaethol ar gyfer Gofal Plant a Reoleiddir. Ystyriwyd y byddai’r trefniadau hynny helpu i gynnig rhywfaint o hyblygrwydd wrth ddarparu gwasasanaethau allweddol o dan amgylchiadau heriol. Roedd WG 009/20 yn nodi y byddai’r trefniadau yn parhau tan 31 Rhagfyr 2020.
O ystyried y cynnydd parhaus yn nifer yr achosion o Covid-19 yn ystod yr wythnosau diwethaf ac effeithiau posibl yr amrywiolyn Covid-19 newydd, mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi penderfynu ailgyflwyno’r trefniadau ar gyfer llacio dros dro rai o’r gofynion yn ei Safonau Gofynnol Cenedlaethol ar gyfer Gofal Plant a Reoleiddir tan 30 Mehefin 2021. Y gobaith yw y bydd hyn yn helpu lleoliadau i reoli rhai o’r heriau y maen nhw’n eu hwynebu o ran staffio a chapasiti ac yn cynnig peth sefydlogrwydd i gynllunio dros y misoedd nesaf.
Bydd unrhyw drefniadau llacio a gaiff eu cytuno neu eu hadolygu yn ystod y cyfnod sy’n dilyn cyhoeddi’r cylchlythyr hwn a hyd at 30 Mehefin 2021 yn gyfyngedig i ganllawiau fel y nodir yn y llythyr hwn, a bydd rhaid i bob achos gael ei gymeradwyo gan awdurdod lleol. Ni ddylai awdurdodau lleol gymeradwyo achosion oni bai fod y mesurau a gynigir gan y darparwr gofal plant yn rhesymol ac yn gymesur â’r amgylchiadau lleol a’r angen i sicrhau darpariaeth gofal plant. Y darparwr gofal plant cofrestredig fydd yn gyfrifol o hyd am sicrhau diogelwch a lles y plant yn eu gofal. Hyd at 30 Mehefin 2021, mae Gweinidogion Cymru wedi cytuno y gellir ystyried llacio dros dro yr agweddau a ganlyn ar y Safonau Gofynnol Cenedlaethol ar gyfer Gofal Plant a Reoleiddir.
Cymarebau staffio: Gellid llacio cymarebau oedolion: plant fel a ganlyn:
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Safon 15.12 – Gofal dydd:
- llacio cymhareb y Safonau Gofynnol Cenedlaethol o un oedolyn i wyth plentyn 3-7 oed i un oedolyn i ddeg plentyn
- llacio cymhareb y Safonau Gofynnol Cenedlaethol o un oedolyn i ddeg plentyn 8-12 oed i ganiatáu i un oedolyn ofalu am hyd at 12 plentyn.
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Safon 15.7 – Gwarchodwyr plant:
- llacio cymhareb y Safonau Gofynnol Cenedlaethol sy’n pennu na chaiff gwarchodwr plant ofalu am fwy na chwe phlentyn dan 8 oed er mwyn iddo gael gofalu am fwy na chwe phlentyn yn y grŵp oedran 5-7, ar yr amod nad oes mwy na 10 o blant i gyd o dan 12 oed. Noder nad oes unrhyw newid i’r gymhareb ar gyfer plant o dan 5 oed.
Rhaid cael cymeradwyaeth yr awdurdod lleol cyn gweithredu unrhyw lacio ar y gymhareb staffio, er mwyn sicrhau bod y newidiadau yn rhesymol ac yn gymesur, a bod modd darparu gofal rheolaidd yng ngoleuni’r amgylchiadau lleol, heb gyfaddawdu ar ddiogelwch a lles y plant y gofelir amdanynt.
Dylai’r awdurdod lleol a’r sawl sy’n darparu gofal plant fodloni eu hunain y gallant gydymffurfio â chanllawiau Llywodraeth Cymru ar y mesurau diogelu mewn lleoliadau gofal plant, gan gynnwys barhau i ddilyn y cyngor mewn perthynas â gofalu am blant mewn grwpiau cyson. Yn ychwanegol, ni ddylai unrhyw leoliad gofal plant ofalu am fwy o blant na’r nifer cytunedig o blant cofrestredig sydd ganddynt.
Safon 15.13 Staff ychwanegol mewn lleoliadau gofal dydd:
Dylech chi a’ch awdurdod lleol gytuno ar y trefniadau hyn fesul achos, yn dibynnu ar yr amgylchiadau penodol. Ceir llacio’r gofyniad na ddylid cynnwys y rheolwr wrth gyfrifo cymarebau oedolion:plant mewn lleoliad gofal dydd llawn sydd wedi’i gofrestru ar gyfer 20 neu fwy o blant, ar yr amod bod yr awdurdod lleol yn cymeradwyo hynny ymlaen llaw.
Safon 15.13 Dau aelod o staff ar ddyletswydd mewn lleoliadau gofal dydd:
Ar yr amod bod pob gofyniad arall o ran cymarebau staffio yn cael eu bodloni, ceir llacio’r gofyniad bod yna ddau aelod o staff ar ddyletswydd bob amser, ar ôl i’r awdurdod ystyried amgylchiadau penodol y lleoliad.
Cymwysterau staff:
Dylid edrych ar y gofynion cymwysterau mewn ffordd hyblyg a chymesur mewn perthynas ag aelodau o staff a fydd yn gweithio neu wirfoddoli mewn lleoliad gofal plant. Er enghraifft, gallai hyn olygu llacio’r safonau o ran y gyfran o staff gofal plant y mae’n rhaid iddynt fod â chymhwyster gofal plant cydnabyddedig, neu gellid derbyn hyfforddiant ar-lein mewn perthynas â chymwysterau cymorth cyntaf. Ym mhob achos, byddai’n rhaid i warchodwyr plant a’r sawl sy’n rheoli lleoliad neu ei ddirprwy gael cymwysterau yn unol â’r Safonau Gofynnol Cenedlaethol. Hefyd, byddai rhaid i’r darparwr gofal plant cofrestredig a’r sawl sy’n rheoli fod yn hyderus ynghylch ansawdd a diogelwch y gofal a ddarperir yn eu lleoliad. Yn ogystal â hyn, byddai rhaid iddynt ystyried a yw personoliaeth a rhinweddau pob aelod o staff a gyflogir yn addas, pe byddai’r gofynion o ran cymwysterau’n cael eu llacio.
DBS:
Nid yw Llywodraeth Cymru yn llacio unrhyw un o’r rheolau sy’n gysylltiedig â’r gofyniad i ddarparwyr gofal plant gael gwiriad manylach gan y Gwasanaeth Datgelu a Gwahardd (DBS). Fodd bynnag, ystyrir bod llacio’r arferion cyfredol/cyffredin sy’n gysylltiedig â gwiriadau cofnodion troseddol manylach, fel y nodir isod, yn briodol o gofio’r angen i sicrhau darpariaeth gofal ddigonol ar gyfer rhieni a gofalwyr sydd ei hangen. Mae’n ofynnol, o dan Reoliadau Gwarchod Plant a Gofal Dydd (Cymru) 2010, i bob aelod o staff a gwirfoddolwr sy’n gweithio mewn lleoliadau gwarchod plant a gofal dydd fod â thystysgrif cofnod troseddol fanylach, gan gynnwys gwiriad yn erbyn y rhestr gwahardd plant. Yn ymarferol, bydd unigolion yn aml naill ai wedi cael gwiriad DBS newydd wrth newid swydd neu wedi eu cofrestru â gwasanaeth diweddaru y DBS, a gall cyflogwyr wirio hwnnw’n gyflym wrth i staff newid swyddi. Mae hyn yn rhoi sicrwydd i gyflogwyr ynghylch addasrwydd y staff y maent yn eu cyflogi.
Efallai y bydd yn dal i fod yn rhaid i unigolion cymwys a phrofiadol sy’n gweithio gyda phlant symud yn aml ac yn gyflym rhwng lleoliadau er mwyn sicrhau bod gofal ar gael. I fynd i’r afael â hynny, rydym yn ystyried ei bod yn briodol i staff gofal plant a gwaith chwarae, a nanis sydd wedi’u cymeradwyo dan Gynllun Cymeradwyo Gwirfoddol Gofal Plant yn y Cartref Llywodraeth Cymru neu unrhyw gynllun cyfatebol ar gyfer nanis a wneir gan Lywodraeth Cymru cyn diwedd Mehefin 2021, fedru symud rhwng lleoliadau os ydynt wedi cael gwiriad DBS dilys, hy gwiriad cofnod troseddol manylach, gan gynnwys gwiriad yn erbyn y rhestr gwahardd plant, o fewn y 3 blynedd ddiwethaf. Byddai’n rhaid i hyn gael ei brofi gan staff sydd am weithio mewn lleoliad gofal plant drwy ddangos eu tystysgrif DBS. Dylid parhau i gynnal gwiriadau diweddaru ar gyfer y rheini sydd ar y system ddiweddaru.
Mae’r camau hyn wedi cael eu trafod ag Arolygiaeth Gofal Cymru, Cwlwm a chynrychiolwyr awdurdodau lleol. Hefyd, rydym wedi ceisio sicrhau cydbwysedd derbyniol rhwng rhoi’r hyblygrwydd i ddarparwyr addasu a pheidio â pheryglu diogelwch a llesiant y plant sy’n cael gofal.
Dylai pob darparwr roi gwybod i’w awdurdod lleol (drwy eu Gwasanaethau Gwybodaeth i Deuluoedd neu eu cyswllt arferol yn y tîm gofal iechyd) am ei fwriad i weithredu unrhyw un neu ragor o’r mesurau a ddisgrifir yn y llythyr hwn, cyn llacio unrhyw ofyniad.
Bydd rhaid i awdurdodau lleol gael eu bodloni bod y cynlluniau’n angenrheidiol ac yn gymesur â’r amgylchiadau, a’u bod yn unol â chanllawiau Llywodraeth Cymru ar fesurau diogelu.
Rhaid i Arolygiaeth Gofal Cymru, fel y rheoleiddiwr gwasanaethau gofal plant, gael gwybod am unrhyw newidiadau a wneir, fel a ganlyn:
- Bydd angen i ddarparwyr ddefnyddio eu cyfrifon ar-lein i hysbysu Arolygiaeth Gofal Cymru am unrhyw newidiadau sy’n cael eu cytuno.
- Bydd angen i Awdurdodau Lleol hysbysu Arolygiaeth Gofal Cymru eu bod wedi cytuno i’r newidiadau.
Dylai’r darparwr a’r awdurdod lleol adolygu’r trefniadau bob mis. Ceir canllawiau pellach am y trefniadau hyn yma: https://llyw.cymru/y-safonau-gofynnol-cenedlaethol-sgc-ar-gyfer-gofal-plant-reoleiddir-canllawiau-covid-19
Rhaid i ddarparwyr gofal plant gymryd camau rhesymol i leihau, cymaint â bo modd, unrhyw risg o ddod i gyswllt â Covid-19 yn eu lleoliadau yn unol â chanllawiau Llywodraeth Cymru.
Er mwyn helpu darparwyr i gymryd camau rhesymol priodol a sicrhau bod lleoliadau gofal plant yn cadw plant a staff yn ddiogel, dylai darparwyr gyfeirio at ganllawiau’r Llywodraeth ar fesurau diogelwch sydd hefyd yn disgrifio’r camau y dylid eu cymryd i atal a rheoli heintiau a chyngor ar y trefniadau Profi, Olrhain, Diogelu.
Cynghorir darparwyr sy’n gweithredu o dan amodau llacach y Safonau Gofynnol Cenedlaethol i wirio dilysrwydd eu hyswiriant gyda’u darparwr yswiriant gan y gallai fod yna oblygiadau i’r newidiadau.
Am ba mor hir y gellir ystyried gweithredu’r trefniadau llacio hyn?
Gellir ystyried gweithredu’r trefniadau llacio hyn, a chytuno arnynt os yw’n briodol, hyd at 30 Mehefin 2021, yn amodol ar adolygiad misol gan yr awdurdod lleol. Mae’r trefniadau llacio ond ar waith tan 30 Mehefin 2021. O 1 Gorffennaf 2021 ymlaen, disgwylir i ddarparwyr gofal plant roi sylw dyledus i’r Safonau Gofynnol Cenedlaethol ar gyfer Gofal Plant a Reoleiddir i blant hyd at 12 oed, yn y ffordd arferol.
COVID-19 and the National Minimum Standards for Regulated Childcare for children up to the age of 12 years: 14 January - 30 June 2021
14 January 2021
Dear Colleagues,
On 8 April, 24 June and 3 September 2020, the Welsh Government issued Circular Letters (WG 005 20, WG 007 20 and WG 009/20 respectively) providing information and guidance about the temporary relaxation of some of the requirements in the National Minimum Standards for Regulated Childcare. It was considered that the arrangements would help provide an element of flexibility to deliver key services in challenging circumstances. WG 009/20 advised that the arrangements would operate until 31 December 2020.
In view of the sustained increase in COVID-19 cases in recent weeks, and the potential impact of the new COVID-19 variant, the Welsh Government has decided to reintroduce the temporary relaxation of some of the requirements in its National Minimum Standards for Regulated Childcare until 30 June 2021. It is hoped that this will help settings manage the workforce and capacity challenges they are facing, and will provide some stability in their planning arrangements over the coming months.
Any relaxations agreed or reviewed in the period after the publication of this circular letter, and until 30 June 2021, will be restricted to the guidelines in this letter and subject to local authority approval on a case by case basis. The local authority approval should only be granted on the basis that the measures being proposed by the childcare provider are reasonable and proportionate in responding to local circumstances, and ensuring the provision of childcare. The responsibility for ensuring the safety and the welfare of the children in their care will remain with the registered childcare provider.
Until 30 June 2021, the Welsh Ministers have agreed that the following aspects of the National Minimum Standards can be considered for relaxation on a temporary basis at this time:
Staffing ratios: Adult: child ratios for children could be relaxed as follows.
- Standard 15.12 - Day care:
- the NMS ratio of one adult to eight children for children aged 3-7 years to be relaxed to one adult to ten children.
- the NMS ratio of one adult to ten children aged 8-12 years to be relaxed to allow one adult to care for up to 12 children.
- Standard 15.7 - Child minders:
- The NMS ratio for child minders to care for no more than six children under 8 years of age to be relaxed to enable child minders to care for more than six children aged 5-7 years subject to the overall limit of 10 children under the age of 12 years. Please note ratios for children under the age of 5 are unchanged.
Local authority approval is required prior to any relaxation in staffing ratios being implemented, in order to ensure that the changes are reasonable and proportionate and ensure that ongoing care can be provided taking account of local circumstances and without compromising the safety and welfare of the children being cared for.
The local authority and childcare provider should satisfy themselves that they are able to comply with the Welsh Government’s protective measures guidance for childcare settings, including that the advice relating to caring for children in consistent groups can still be followed. In addition, no childcare setting should exceed their agreed numbers of registered children.
Standard 15.13 Supernumerary staffing in day care settings:
Arrangements to be agreed with local authorities on a case by case basis, depending on the specific circumstances. The requirement that the manager should not be included in any calculation of adult: child ratios in a full day care setting registered for 20 or more children can be relaxed subject to the prior approval of the local authority.
Standard 15.3 Two staff on duty in day care settings:
Subject to all other staffing ratio requirements being met, the requirement that there are always at least two staff on duty can be relaxed on a case by case basis subject to the local authority taking into account the specific circumstances of the setting.
Staff qualifications:
A flexible and proportionate approach to qualification requirements to be adopted in relation to staff working or volunteering in a childcare setting. For example, this could mean relaxation of the standards in respect of the proportion of childcare staff who must have a recognised childcare qualification or acceptance of on-line training in respect of first aid qualifications. In all instances, child minders and the person in charge of a setting or their appointed deputy would require qualifications in line with the NMS. The registered childcare provider and person in charge would also need to be confident about the quality and safety of the care provided at their setting, and would need to consider whether any staff employed were of suitable integrity and good character if any of the staff qualification requirements were relaxed.
DBS:
The Welsh Government is not relaxing any of the rules around the requirement for childcare providers to have an enhanced DBS check. However, it is considered that a relaxation of current/common practice around the obtaining of enhanced criminal records checks, as set out below, is appropriate given the need to ensure there is sufficient childcare provision available for parents and carers who need it. It is a requirement under the Child Minding and Day Care (Wales) Regulations 2010 that all staff and volunteers working in child minding and day care settings have an enhanced criminal record certificate, including a check against the children’s barred list. In practice, individuals often have new DBS checks undertaken when they move role or are signed up to the DBS update service, which can be checked quickly by employers as staff move roles, which provides employers with assurance of the suitability of the staff they employ.
It may still be necessary for individuals who are qualified and experienced to move at short notice between settings in order to ensure care is available. In order to address this, we consider it appropriate for childcare and playwork staff and nannies approved under the Welsh Government Childcare at Home Voluntary Approval Scheme or any equivalent nanny scheme made by the Welsh Government before the end of June 2021, to be able to move between settings if they have had a valid DBS check i.e. an enhanced criminal records check, including a check against the children’s barred list, within the last 3 years. This would need to be proved by staff seeking to work in childcare settings by showing their DBS certificate. Update checks should still be carried out for those on the update system.
These steps have been discussed with Care Inspectorate Wales, Cwlwm and with local authority representatives. We have also sought to strike an acceptable balance between giving providers the flexibility to adapt whilst not compromising on the safety and well-being of children in childcare.
All providers should inform their local authority (through their Family Information Services or usual contact in the childcare team) of their intention to implement any of the measures described in this letter, before any relaxation is made.
Local authorities will need to be satisfied that the plans are necessary and proportionate in the circumstances and that they are in keeping with the Welsh Government’s protective measures guidance.
CIW, as the regulator of childcare services will need to be informed of any changes made as follows:
- Providers will need to use their online accounts to notify CIW of any agreed changes.
- Local authorities will need to notify CIW that they have agreed the changes.
The provider and local authority should review the arrangements on a monthly basis.
Further guidance about these arrangements can be found here: https://gov.wales/guidance-national-minimum-standards-regulated-childcare-coronavirus-covid-19
Childcare providers must take all reasonable measures to minimise the risk of exposure to coronavirus in their settings in line with Welsh Government requirements.
To help providers take appropriate reasonable measures and to ensure childcare settings keep both children and staff safe, providers should refer to the Protective measures guidance which outlines infection prevention and control measures as well as advice on Test, Trace, Protect processes.
Providers operating under the relaxed NMS conditions are advised to check the validity of their insurance with their insurance provider as there could be implications for their cover.
For how long can the relaxations be considered?
These relaxations can be considered, and agreed where appropriate, up until 30 June 2021 subject to a monthly review by the local authority. The relaxations are only permissible until 30 June 2021. From 1 July 2021, childcare providers will be expected to have due regard to the National Minimum Standards for Regulated Childcare for children up to the age of 12 years, in the usual way.
Hawlfraint y Goron / Copyright © 2021 Arolygiaeth Gofal Cymru / Care Inspectorate Wales. Cedwir pob hawl / All rights reserved.
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