What assessment it has made of whether the current risk-based approach to the frequency of Care Inspectorate inspections of childminding se…

The Care Inspectorate operates independently of, and at arm’s length from, Scottish Ministers. However, the Scottish Government monitors the Care Inspectorate’s inspection activity and performance through established sponsorship arrangements and provides funding to support delivery of its statutory functions. Decisions about the frequency and targeting of childminding inspections are operational matters for the Care Inspectorate and are informed by previous inspection findings, complaints, notifications and other intelligence about individual services.The Care Inspectorate keeps its scrutiny and assurance arrangements under review to ensure that regulatory resources are targeted where risks are greatest and that children continue to receive safe, high-quality care. The Scottish Government remains engaged with the Care Inspectorate on these arrangements and its capacity to deliver both risk-based and planned inspection activity.