Childminder Carol Foster is concerned that the image of the profession may be damaged after Helen Stacey was jailed for life this week for shaking baby Joseph Mackina to death, writes GEMMA SIMMS.

And Carol, a mum-of-three, who lives in Wheatley, is astounded that people can lie on their application forms and get a childminding job.

Stacey, 41, of North Walsham, Norfolk, shook the six-month-old baby to death because he wouldn't stop crying.

The outcome has shocked Carol who believes people may become more wary about using childminders in the future because of fears that their registration forms may contain false details.

"It's likely to be damaging to the childminders and it's an absolute scandal," said Carol, 37. "I'm so honest myself that I just don't know how people can do it. I have a couple of mums who phoned me recently for spaces but it makes me wonder now whether they'll get back to me after all this. "However, the chances of having someone like this woman are probably very remote. If a childminder has just started up, it's very difficult for the parents because they can't talk to the parents of the children the childminder has already looked after."

Carol was a nanny before becoming a childminder four years ago and said the procedure isn't easy.

"From everyone's point of view, everything has to be checked to be above board. It's scary enough for parents to leave children.

"I have four children on my books at the moment and I just can't believe that someone could do something like that to a baby and have the chance to do it."

Roger Morgan is the chief inspector in charge of the Independent Inspection Unit at Social Services, based in Yarnton.

He said there were three separate processes to be carried out for childminders.

"One is registration, where we run various checks on people who apply for registration. We also carry out an inspection of each childminder each year and investigate any complaint from parents. We then have to take appropriate action. "We are being stringent but I have to say we do what the law requires which is one inspection a year and it is possible someone might mislead, so I don't think anyone can claim this system is fool-proof." However, he did explain that Oxfordshire social services issues a registered childminder with a certificate of registration and a comprehensive list of clear, legally-imposed requirements.

"I will not say I'm satisfied nothing can go wrong in Oxfordshire but we have a good system, although inevitably the news of the childminder who's been jailed will make parents more careful and in a way that's a good thing."

"The first part of the certificate is a standard set of all things we would expect of childminders, then we have a set of special requirements which parents can also look at and check," he added.

His message to concerned parents is to make sure the childminder is registered and to ask for their registration certificate.

"If you have a concern about the care of any children with a childminder, firstly take it up with the childminder.

"Then contact the social services department and ask for a registration and inspection officer and we will look into it."

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