Safe Working Practices for Adults Working with Children

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Safe Working Practices for Adults Working with
Children Young PeopleIts only Common Sense
or is it?
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Introductions

• Talk to the person next to you for 2 mins.
• Introduce them to the group.

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ContextWorking Together to Safeguard Children
2006we all share a responsibility for
safeguarding and promoting the welfare of
children and young people 2.2Children can be
subjected to abuse by those who work with them in
any way and every setting. An allegation of abuse
or maltreatment by a professional, staff member,
foster carer or volunteer must therefore be taken
seriously and treated in accordance with
consistent procedures. 6.20

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Allegation
Allegation reported to senior manager named in
employers procedures
Behaved in a way that has harmed, or may have
harmed a child
Senior manager considers alleged behaviour
Internal Action e.g. Support for Staff/ Child
Parent Policy review Staff Training
Possibly committed a criminal offence against, or
related to, a child or
Contacts LADO
Behaved towards a child or children in a way that
indicates s/he is unsuitable to work with children
Initial discussion with LADO and decision re
course of action
Employers Action (including disciplinary action)
Assessment by Social Care Strategy Meeting
Police investigation
LADO tracks progress, monitors outcomes and
reports to the LSCB and DfES
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Thresholds Exercise

• In groups of three discuss and decide action to
  be taken in the following situations.

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What we have learnt about many adults working
with children and young people.

• They are often unclear about what is acceptable
  and unacceptable behaviour and where personal and
  professional boundaries should lie.
• Many staff are nervous about becoming the subject
  of allegations and certain practices e.g.
  touching children, 1-1, intimate care and
  physical intervention.
• Staff subject to allegations often express
  surprise and disbelief that their behaviour has
  given rise to suspicion or concern and could be
  considered abusive, harmful, criminal or an act
  of misconduct.

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Guidance for Safe Working Practice
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Communication with Children Young People

• Case Study

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Flipchart Exercise.

• Identify good and bad practice in each of the
  areas below
• First Aid
• Medication
• Intimate/Personal Care
• Physical Intervention
• Physical Contact
• Activities

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What is unacceptable behaviour?

• Sexual Contact Adults should not
• have sexual relationships with children/young
  people
• have any form of communication with a children/
  young person which could be interpreted as
  sexually suggestive or provocative i.e. verbal
  comments, letters, notes, electronic mail, phone
  calls, texts or physical contact
• make sexual remarks to, or about, a child/young
  person
• discuss their own sexual relationships with or in
  the presence of children/young people

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What is acceptable behaviour?

• This means that adults should
• ensure that their relationship with
  children/young people clearly take place within
  the boundaries of a respectful, professional
  relationship
• take care that their language or conduct does not
  give rise to comment or speculation.
• Attitudes, demeanour and language all require
  care and thought, particularly when members of
  staff are dealing with adolescent boys/girls

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Whistle blowing

• This means that all adults should
• Acknowledge their individual responsibilities
  to bring matters of concern to the attention of
  their line managers and /or relevant external
  agencies. This is particularly important where
  the welfare of children may be at risk.

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Sharing Concerns

• This means adults should
• always feel able to discuss with their line
  manager any difficulties or problems that may
  affect their relationship with children/young
  people so appropriate support can be provided or
  action taken.
• should be familiar with their organisations
  system for recording any concerns
• should take responsibility for recording any
  incident, and passing on that information where
  they have concerns about any matter pertaining to
  the welfare of a child/young person

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Allegation
Allegation reported to senior manager named in
employers procedures
Behaved in a way that has harmed, or may have
harmed a child
Senior manager considers alleged behaviour
Internal Action e.g. Support for Staff/ Child
Parent Policy review Staff Training
Possibly committed a criminal offence against, or
related to, a child or
Contacts LADO
Behaved towards a child or children in a way that
indicates s/he is unsuitable to work with children
Initial discussion with LADO and decision re
course of action
Employers Action (including disciplinary action)
Police investigation
Assessment by Social Care Strategy Meeting
LADO tracks progress, monitors outcomes and
reports to the LSCB and DfES
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• Questions.

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Contact Details

• Head of Service Child Protection Unit
• 01204 337470
• Principal Education Social Worker
• 01204 338173
• Head of Service for Children and Young People
• 01204 334095

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