What is the Approval process?

Nestor acts as the approval body on the Departments behalf and will therefore provide the approval process. Click here to got to the Nestor Homepage

The Approval Process

1. Initial Contact
   • Childcarer rings Central Approved Team
   • Childcarer writes to Central Approval Team
   • Childcarer applies online to Central Approved Team
   
   
2. Central Team talks to Childcarer to clarify if the qualifications they have are acceptable for the ‘Approval Scheme’
   
   
3. If the Childcare and First Aid courses are not acceptable, there is information on the website with details of how to access suitable courses. No further action will be taken until a suitable course has been completed
   
   
4. If the Childcare and First Aid courses are acceptable, credit card payment will be taken and and appointment will be arranged with the local branch at the Childcarer´s earliest opporunity
   
   
5. If the childcarer can attend the local branch within three working days:
   • Appointment verified and confirmed with both branch and applicant over the phone
   • Applicant advised as to directions to branch (available on the internet/email if they have access)
   • Applicant provided with a list of documentation and information, which will be required at the appointment (confirm by email if possible).
   • Application pack provided at branch. Central Team to email confirming payment details and online enquiry if already completed
   
   
6. If the childcarer cannot attend the local branch within three working days, an application pack will be sent to the Applicant including:
   • Childcare Approval application (if online enquiry completed attach as front page)
   • CRB application with explanatory letter
   • Introductory letter confirming appointment date and time
   • Directions to local branch
   
   
7. Applicant brings completed application form, CRB form to be completed by the branch and required documentation.
   
   
8. • Branch assists applicant to complete childcare approval application and CRB application.
   • Branch views all documentation and certificates and verifies that they appear genuine.
   • Branch photocopies all documentation and signs them as originals seen and makes any appropriate notes.
   • Branch forwards all documentation to Central Team.
   
   
9. Central Team checks that all documentation is complete and all is criteria met. The CRB form is then sent for processing within 1 working day.
   
   
10. On completion of Enhanced CRB check, central team receives the Disclosure back from CRB within 4 – 6 weeks. However the length of time taken by CRB may vary from case to case which can delay the process.
    
    
11. If the CRB check produces a negative result, the application is Approved and an Approval Letter sent to the applicant
    
    
12. If the CRB check is positive, an Explanation Statement is required from the Applicant. The applicant may be interviewed if need be and a decision will be taken after careful consideration of the merits & demerits of the case.
    
    
13. If the application is rejected, a rejection letter will be sent to the applicant.
    
    Appeal process: In the first instance applicant can ask the Approval Body to reconsider their decision. If after this internal appeals process the applicant is still not happy with the decision they can appeal to the Care Standards Tribunal.

Back to Approval Process Flowchart