ways practitioners can protect themselves on off site visits?

[sharon ashenden]

Hi everyone hope you all had a nice christmas.
Thought best crack on with some work as not done any for the last week and got assesor turning up next week.
Could anyine help me with these questions been going around in circles.

An explanation of how practitioners can take steps to protect themselves within their everyday practice in the work setting and on off site visits.

An explanation of policies and procedures that are in place to protect children and young people and adults working with them.

Any help would be appreciated.

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More information on page 122 of the CYPW level 3 handbook on amazon.co.uk

Always make sure you fully understand the policies and procedures about working on site, off site or performing intimate talks for children.

Follow the policies and procedures at all times

Avoid being alone in a closed room with a child

If in doubt check with your manager

OFF-SITE visits need careful thought to make sure that everyone gets the most out of them and also so that the children are safe and avoid any incidents or accidents.

[spelky~brooks]

Hi Sharon...hope this is off help to you.

3.4 Explain how practitioners can take steps to protect themselves within their everyday practice within the work setting and on off site visits.

A significant element of a practitioner’s role in protecting themselves would be to read policies and procedures that are put in place to safeguard them and children or young people in their care. In a school setting a professional can protect themselves by.

• Avoid being alone in a closed room with a child.
• Two members of staff must be present if a child needs to be undressed in the event of an accident.
• If a child is collected late by a parent/carer then two staff members must stay until the child is collected.
• Always be seen to working in an open and transparent way where there is either visual access or an open door, especially in one to one situations.
• Avoid meetings with students in an isolated or private area of a school.

It would be unrealistic to recommend that a member of staff should touch pupils only in emergencies as very few people would agree with that, especially when young children can become so distressed in certain situations and a hug or close contact is needed by the child. Physical prompts, guides and support are necessary in a range of settings appropriate to the age of the child and the circumstances at that time. Schools should provide a clear guidance about when and how touch should be used in order to protect both staff and children.

In the case of educational visits, professionals should always carry out a full risk assessment of that visit, under the Health and Safety at work regulations Act 1999 it requires employers to assess the risks of activities, introduce measures to control these risks and inform employees of these measures. Before a trip can be arranged employers must follow the necessary policies and procedures as follows:

• Age, competence, fitness and the standard behaviour of the pupils.
• Any special educational or medical needs of the children.
• Adult to student ratio.
• The competence and qualifications of the accompanying adults.
• Modes of transport and location of visit.
• Emergency procedures.
• Permission from parents.
• Relevant medical or dietary needs of children.

[spelky~brooks]

And this...

3.2 Explain policies and procedures that are in place to protect children and young people and adults who work with them.

Policies and procedures are set in place to not only protect children and young people but also adults who work with them, it is vital that all professionals follow safe working practices to ensure that not only children are protected but also themselves. E.g. if a disclosure is made by a child to a member of staff it is vital that is always taken seriously even if it is proven to be untrue or inaccurate. The child or young person should be listened to in a calm and supportive manner which will allow them to talk freely and openly, it is also imperative that they are reassured about telling someone and how hard it must have been for them. Once the disclosure has been made and the child is calmed and secure, the employee or adult should inform the designated safeguarding officer, relevant notes should be written down in the child’s own words including names that were mentioned, time and place of disclosure and place and background of the disclosure.


Obviously change the wording to yours.
Tracy x

[Topaze]

I think that this link will be helpful
http://www.merton.gov.uk/pdf-develop...gpractices.pdf