The All-Russian Popular Front has launched a project to help families of doctors. How the idea of finding nannies for children of health workers from the "red zone" appeared and how it is being implemented, as well as who else can use this service, the ONF expert, chairman of the commission on demography, protection of families, children and traditional family values told MIR 24 TV channel Public Chamber of Russia Sergey Rybalchenko.
- How did this idea come about?
Sergei Rybalchenko: As such, there were no requests, we ourselves felt that there would be a need, and began to work with the regions in which we are implementing the project "Professional nannies for children", where we have already trained social nannies. Initially, the regions responded that they had not received such requests, but then they themselves reacted to the situation. The first case of help was in the Ulyanovsk region. There the nanny came to the nurse's child, the practice became widespread in other regions, in particular, in the Vologda region, it is now actively working, in the Republic of Bashkortostan. Other regions are still considering applications. If there are requests, there will be an appropriate response to them.
- How will the connection between nannies and health workers be established?
Sergei Rybalchenko: Now it goes through social service centers, where nannies trained in the framework of the project work. It is planned that there will be a special "virtual button" on the ONF website, by contacting which medical workers can get help.
- How many health workers from the "red zone" need nannies?
Sergei Rybalchenko: Not very many so far - a few people in the Ulyanovsk region, more than ten people in the Vologda region. There are no exact statistics for other regions yet. I understand that every day we will receive more such requests, because in many cases the health workers did not know that such a possibility existed.
- How many regions are ready to implement the project "Professional nannies for children"?
Sergey Rybalchenko: The project is being implemented in nine regions. In accordance with the plan, which was developed by the Ministry of Education for the development of the system of certified nannies, it will be implemented in all regions, those that decide to develop this system at home.
- What are the requirements for nannies?
Sergei Rybalchenko: Pedagogical education is optional. The basic requirements are set out in the professional standard for babysitting. We initiated its development several years ago; it has been in effect since January 6, 2019. In accordance with the standard, we have developed a training program with the professional community. The nannies are being trained.
- Are there any age restrictions?
Sergei Rybalchenko: There are no age restrictions, but there are restrictions on education - the level is not lower than the general average. This means that only an adult citizen can be a nanny. There are other restrictions, they are related to the requirement for no criminal record - you need a certificate, and the requirement for health reasons, which allows you to work with minors. Taking into account these requirements and the fact that nannies have practice, we carry out voluntary certification in the "Care and supervision" system. Babysitters who are trained and certified are listed on the national register of professional nannies. There are 166 nannies in it, but the list is expanding as we continue training, while there is great interest in the project.
- Will male volunteers be allowed to work?
Sergei Rybalchenko: If we talk about volunteers, this is a different project. When we discussed the need for nannies to help the children of medical workers, we thought that volunteers could take part in this.
For this program, we have developed a simplified course "Volunteer to look after or take care of children." Training 16 hours, free. More than one hundred volunteers have been trained in this course. Citizens from 16 years old can be volunteers, because you can be a member of a non-profit organization, and at the same time, the volunteer can be a man. The volunteer will perform a very simple function - to meet the child, walk him out of school, help with something at home. These are not the functions that a professional nanny has.
- Any candidate who has passed the selection can become a nanny in the project? Or are they mostly volunteers?
Sergei Rybalchenko: I see the combination of these projects in the fact that volunteers who have taken courses in childcare and supervision can then undergo professional training as nannies using a more simplified procedure. In this case, more opportunities open up for them.
At first, a person wants to try himself as a volunteer: not just doing the usual work of delivering food or medicine, but helping families with childcare. After completing this course, having received a certificate, he can carry out this activity. But he will not be able to work professionally on this certificate, for money, because volunteer work involves free work and help.
If he wants to work as a nanny, he will need to undergo professional training - 72 hours, plus practice, by that time he will already have practice, after that, if he has documents - a criminal record and a medical book - he can become a certified nanny.
- Will the work of professional nannies be paid?
Sergei Rybalchenko: This is an employee to whom qualification requirements are imposed, for this work a person receives a salary. Social nannies who come to the children of medical workers receive a salary. If volunteers do this, the help will be free. We are, within the framework of our project, when everyone understood that we must contribute, all our volunteer training activities are free of charge.
- Last year, families with disabled children could use the social nanny service. In what time frame can such a service appear on the territory of all of Russia?
Sergey Rybalchenko: There are no prohibitions for this. In most regions, babysitting services are available. It is included in the list of social services approved by the government. Another thing is that we train professional workers. A child is visited not only by a social worker, but by someone who has received professional training. Since the training course includes a special unit for working with children with disabilities, the social worker also receives skills.
As soon as we started to deal with the process more professionally, then a request appeared for a service. The quality of the service has also improved. We recently held a seminar at the Vocational Training and Certification Center, and I listened to nannies talking about working with families. I can say that this is a story of close people who worry about the child, come, help, meet him, play with him on the playground. This is how the nannies talked about the children, which is understandable, for them these children are also very close people.
