Question reference: S5W-34421
- Asked by: Jackson Carlaw, MSP for Eastwood, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: 8 January 2021
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Current status: Answered by John Swinney on 25 January 2021
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to directing local authorities to make childcare provision available in circumstances where both parents are required to undertake employment responsibilities outside of the home setting during the existing period of lockdown but only one parent has been categorised as a key worker by the relevant local authority.
Answer
The definitions of key workers have been designed to provide local authorities with the flexibility to meet the needs of their local communities. When determining which children should attend, local authorities and childcare settings should have regard to the overarching policy aim which is to minimise the number of children and adults from different households interacting in-person within communities in order to reduce transmission of the virus.
Local authorities are operating within a framework agreed with Scottish Government however there is flexibility for local authorities and individual childcare providers to consider requests in line with local needs. We have a very diverse range of communities in Scotland and a one size fits all approach would not be appropriate, therefore local authorities must be free to take decisions at a local level.
The purpose of the current exceptional arrangements are to ensure that key workers performing an essential role in the Covid-19 response can request access to their child's usual school or childcare setting. However, alternative options, such as home working or access to informal childcare should have been considered in line with current guidance before requesting access.
Employers have a duty to take all measures which are reasonably practicable to minimise the risk of the incidence and spread of Covid-19 on their premises. This includes supporting staff to work from home for those roles that can be undertaken remotely. As would be expected under normal circumstances, employers should have a fair and flexible approach towards those with caring responsibilities, and should make use wherever possible of flexible working options such as reduced or flexible working hours.