DWP Policy Group Freedom of Information Team
e-mail
: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxx.xxx.xxx.xx
Our Ref: FOI2019/04606
11 February 2019
Dear J Thorpe,
Thank you for your Freedom of Information (FoI) request received on 31 January. You asked:
I would like to request clarification on how OFSTED registered Nannies will be paid for under
Universal Credit.
There is conflicting information published on the issue.
I wanted to find out what approved childcare was. I followed the link www.gov.uk/help-with-
childcare-costs?step-by-step-nav=f237ec8e-e82c-4ffa-8fba-2a88a739783b which states
"home care workers working with a registered home care agency". This is the only reference to
an OFSTED registered Nanny.
I also examined the guidance on www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-and-
childcare/universal-credit-childcare-guide#childcare-providers which states that providers must
be OFSTED registered, with no other stipulations.
These appear to be contradictory in nature, and are both taken from gov.uk. Please can you
clarify which one is correct.
In addition, following discussion with DWP staff, no one appears to be able to clarify how to
provide evidence of cost for a Nanny as no invoice will ever be produced. A Nanny is provided
with a wage slip as they are employed. A Nanny can generally not be classed as self
employed (HMRC guidance). How does Universal Credit guidance allow for this when
providing evidence of childcare.
DWP Response:
Thank you for your freedom of Information request.
I can confirm that we do hold the information.
The link below, which you have already checked in your request, states how we classify
approved childcare: -
https://www.gov.uk/help-with-childcare-costs
DWP doesn’t pay childcare providers, the parent contracts a nursery, afterschool club,
childminder or nanny (a childcare provider) to provide care for their child(ren) and if the
parent(s)
meet the conditions of entitlement and
costs are reasonable and relevant to the hours of work
the department will reimburse up to 85% of the childcare costs to the parent.
It is the parents’ responsibility to pay their childcare provider. Parents have the freedom to
choose whichever type childcare provision is most suitable to their circumstances.
Where a parent chooses a nanny to provide childcare they are required to provide comparable
information to that which is required for any other childcare provider, e.g. that the childcare
provider is suitably qualified, registered (if this is required by law), a contract of childcare
provision, detailing the days/ times and total hours that the childcare provider is to care for the
child(ren) over a given period (e.g. each month / term). Proof payment e.g. receipt, invoice
marked as paid, bank statement etc, of the reported childcare costs paid to the childcare
provider for the contracted period (receipts / bank transfer evidence may not always be
required, however, parents should provide this if they receive a request for evidence. Evidence
can be uploaded via their Universal Credit online account).
If you have any queries about this letter please contact me quoting the reference number
above.
Yours sincerely,
DWP Policy Group FoI Team
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If you are not happy with this response you may request an internal review by e-mailin
g freedom-of-information-
xxxxxxx@xxx.xxx.xxx.xx or by writing to DWP, Central FoI Team, Caxton House, Tothill Street, SW1H 9NA. Any
review request should be submitted within two months of the date of this letter.
If you are not content with the outcome of the internal review you may apply directly to the Information
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https://ico.org.uk/Global/contact_us or telephone 0303 123 1113 or 01625 545745