The official version of this document can be found via the PDF button.
The below content has been automatically generated from the original PDF and some formatting may have been lost, therefore it should not be relied upon to extract citations or propose amendments.
2015.07.14
4.7 Deputy J.A. Hilton of the Minister for Home Affairs regarding a possible police investigation in relation to a child who had to be resuscitated by a member of the public in Coronation Park:
Would the Minister indicate whether the police are investigating whether any criminal offences might have been committed in relation to the child who had to be resuscitated by a member of the public in Coronation Park last week?
Deputy K.L. Moore of St. Peter (The Minister for Home Affairs):
I can confirm that this incident is subject to an investigation by the police although I am unable to say any more at this time in order to avoid potentially undermining any future prosecution case.
- Deputy J.A. Hilton:
I have it on good authority that an au pair was employed to look after this child and on the occasion of the near-drowning when the child was resuscitated by a member of the public, the au pair was waiting in a queue to buy a cup of coffee, hence the reason the child was unattended while in the paddling pool. Would the Minister agree with me, at the very least, this is a safeguarding issue?
The Deputy of St. Peter :
As I say, this is an investigation that is ongoing and I think it would be presumptuous to enter into any discussion on the detail.
Deputy J.A. Hilton: A supplementary? The Deputy Bailiff :
You will come to a final supplementary in due course. No, we are at that time for a final supplementary. [Laughter]
- Deputy J.A. Hilton:
Would the Minister be prepared to publicly endorse the advice given by the head of the Jersey Childcare Trust who said in a written article recently: "An au pair will not have any childcare qualifications or first aid training. It is therefore unacceptable and inappropriate for an au pair to be expected to provide sole charge childcare for babies or young children. Their role is more of a support to the main carers' role." Will the Minister be prepared to endorse that statement publicly?
The Deputy of St. Peter :
I do not wish to be unhelpful to the Deputy , and I fully understand her reasons for taking this line of questioning, but I do not feel childcare policy is within my areas of responsibility