Anfonwyd ar ran Llywodraeth Cymru / Sent on behalf of Welsh Government
Saesneg isod / English below
COVID-19 [amrywiolyn Omicron] a llacio dros dro ar y Safonau Gofynnol Cenedlaethol ar gyfer Gofal Plant a Reoleiddir i blant hyd at 12 oed: 17 Ionawr – 1 Ebrill 2022 |
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Yn ystod 2020 a 2021, cyhoeddodd Llywodraeth Cymru Gylchlythyron (LlC 005 20; LlC 007 20, LLC 009/20 a LlC 001 21) 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 gwasanaethau allweddol o dan amgylchiadau heriol.
O ystyried yr amrywiolyn Omicron a’i effaith bosibl, mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi penderfynu gwneud trefniadau eto ar gyfer llacio dros dro ar rai o’r gofynion yn ei Safonau Gofynnol Cenedlaethol ar gyfer Gofal Plant a Reoleiddir hyd 1 Ebrill 2022. 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.
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 1 Ebrill 2022 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 diogel. Y darparwr gofal plant cofrestredig fydd yn gyfrifol o hyd am sicrhau diogelwch a lles y plant yn
eu gofal.
Hyd at 1 Ebrill 2022, 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:
1. 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.
2. 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 gyfer gofal plant a gwaith chwarae: coronafeirws, ac 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: gellir 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 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 Gynllun Cymeradwyo Darparwyr Gofal Plant yn y Cartref (Cymru) 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 cael tystiolaeth o hyn 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.
Cydnabyddir, mewn rhai amgylchiadau, y gallai lleoliadau ddymuno gofyn i’r awdurdod lleol gytuno i lacio ar y gofynion cyn bod angen eu rhoi ar waith er mwyn ymateb i amgylchiadau sy'n newid yn gyflym e.e. ynysu/salwch staff i sicrhau y gall y lleoliad barhau i weithredu a sicrhau parhad gofal plant i deuluoedd. Fel rhan o asesiad risg rhagweithiol a'r gwaith cynllunio, ac er mwyn osgoi cau lleoliadau ar fyr rybudd, dylai lleoliadau drafod gyda'r awdurdodau lleol a ydyw yn bosibl cytuno i lacio ar ofynion ymlaen llaw wrth iddynt efallai ragweld absenoldebau staff. Ni ddylid rhoi unrhyw newidiadau ar waith cyn i'r Awdurdod Lleol eu cytuno ymlaen llaw ac os cytunir i lacio ar ofynion, dylai'r lleoliad roi gwybod i’r awdurdod lleol pan fydd y llacio yn cael ei roi ar waith a chadw mewn cysylltiad rheolaidd gyda’r awdurdod lleol ynglŷn â’r sefyllfa ac i ba raddau y mae'r trefniadau yn parhau i ateb y diben.
Dylai’r darparwr a’r awdurdod lleol adolygu unrhyw newidiadau sydd wedi’u cytuno o leiaf bob mis.
Fel busnesau a chyflogwyr, rhaid i ddarparwyr gofal plant gymryd pob cam 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 gofal plant a gwaith chwarae i gymryd camau rhesymol priodol a sicrhau bod lleoliadau gofal plant yn cadw plant a staff yn ddiogel, dylai darparwyr gyfeirio at y Canllawiau ar gyfer gofal plant a gwaith chwarae: coronafeirws sy’n disgrifio’r camau y dylid eu cymryd i atal a rheoli heintiau. Mae Cardiau Gweithredu hefyd ar gael, yn nodi mesurau rhesymol posibl.
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 1 Ebrill 2022, yn amodol ar adolygiad misol gan yr awdurdod lleol. Mae’r trefniadau llacio ond ar waith tan 1 Ebrill 2022. O 2 Ebrill 2022 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. Bwriedir cynnal ymgynghoriad ar ddiwygiadau i’r Safonau Gofynnol Cenedlaethol yn 2022 a bydd rhanddeiliaid allweddol yn cael eu gwahodd i roi sylwadau ar unrhyw newidiadau tymor hirach a gaiff eu hystyried.
Cwestiynau Cyffredin: Llacio dro dro ar y Safonau Gofynnol Cenedlaethol ar gyfer Gofal Plant a Reoleiddir i blant hyd at 12 oed.
Am wybodaeth bellach cysylltwch â: TrafodGofalPlant@llyw.cymru
COVID-19 [Omicron variant] and temporary relaxations to the National Minimum Standards for Regulated Childcare for children up to the age of 12 years: 17 January - 1 April 2022 |
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During 2020 and 2021, the Welsh Government issued Circular Letters (WG 005 20, WG 007 20, WG 009/20 and WG 001 21) 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.
In view of the Omicron variant and its potential impact, the Welsh Government has decided to make temporary relaxations again in respect of some of the requirements in its National Minimum Standards for Regulated Childcare until 1 April 2022. 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.
Any relaxations agreed or reviewed in the period after the publication of this circular letter and until 1 April 2022 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 safe childcare. The responsibility for ensuring the safety and the welfare of the children in their care will remain with the registered childcare provider. Until 1 April 2022, 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:
1. 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.
2. 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 Guidance for childcare and playwork: coronavirus and 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 can 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 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 The Approval of Home Childcare Providers (Wales) Scheme 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 evidenced 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 on line accounts to notify CIW of any agreed changes;
- Local authorities will need to notify CIW that they have agreed the changes.
It is acknowledged that, in some circumstances, settings may wish to seek approval to a relaxation in advance of the need to implement any relaxation to manage rapidly changing circumstances e.g. staff isolation/sickness to ensure the setting can continue to operate and to secure continuity of childcare for families. As part of a proactive risk assessment and planning, and to avoid closure of settings at very short notice, settings should discuss with local authorities the feasibility of agreeing in advance a relaxation in anticipation of future staff absences.
No relaxations should be implemented before prior approval by the Local Authority and should a relaxation be agreed, the setting should alert the local authority when the relaxation starts to be used and keep the local authority regularly informed of the ongoing need for the relaxation and the extent to which it continues to serve a purpose.
The provider and local authority should review all agreed relaxations on a monthly basis.
As businesses and employers, 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 childcare and playwork providers take appropriate reasonable measures and to ensure childcare settings keep both children and staff safe, providers should refer to the Guidance for childcare and playwork: coronavirus which outlines infection prevention and control measures. Action Cards are also available, setting out potential reasonable measures.
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 1 April 2022 subject to a monthly review by the local authority. The relaxations are only permissible until 1 April 2022. From 2 April 2022, 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. A consultation on revisions to the National Minimum Standards is planned in 2022 and key stakeholders will be invited to comment on any longer term changes being considered.
FAQs: Temporary relaxation of National Minimum Standards for Regulated Childcare for children up to the age of 12 years (NMS).
For further information contact: TalkChildcare@gov.wales
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