hi
can i just add that, although registering with Social Services is not
necessary, i did do it when i worked at South Shields Museum (TWM) and found
the inspections very useful. Social Services didn't really have a clue about
how Museum activities fitted into their criteria, but, being flexible &
friendly, they got the hang of what we did & now do inspections every year -
they're v unobtrusive & their comments were always helpful. After the
inspection, we received a full report from them which included things
covering Health & Safety, offering drinks & biscuits, ratio of adults to
children, safe toys, equipment & surfaces, etc & We cd ask them about the
venue, the Childrens' Act & how we cd improve things.
The inspector(s) usually came for a family fun day event & talked to parents
& children, which also gave us some really useful feedback on our workshops
& the museums as a whole. Being a different set-up from what they normally
inspected, they had quite a laugh, joining in with workshops & chatting to
families they knew (maybe we are lucky in South Tyneside) & i think it
raised the profile of the museum in that department (we got included in
their 'ideas for families' brochure). Being inspected also meant we cd
access the Social Sevices training programme & i attended courses, such as
one on recognising child abuse & what to do if you suspected a child was
suffering from neglect. I think it cost £25 to register for the inspection.
Being OFSTEDed ain't my idea of a laugh though!
bye
ian
Ian Blackwell
Audience Development Officer
North East Museums
House of Recovery
Bath Lane
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE4 5SQ
tel: 0191 222 1661
fax: 0191 261 4725
www.northeastmuseums.co.uk
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