1

Explain how practitioners can take steps to protect themselves

within their everyday practice in the work setting and on off site

visits.

Adopting a professional, common-sense approach is the best way for school workers

to protect themselves against any accusations or suspicions of abuse. Staff must be

familiar with the policies and procedures in the setting and must have a clear

understanding of their own roles and responsibilities relating to safeguarding issues.

Policies and procedures in the setting should provide support and advice for staff to

protect themselves within their everyday practice both in the work setting and on off

site visits. There should be clear guidance about working in an open and transparent

way. For example, avoiding being alone with children or young people in potentially

compromising situations, such as toileting, dressing and undressing or providing

intimate personal care. There should be guidance about appropriate physical contact

with children and young people, including hugging or cuddling children or restraining

young people who are behaving in an unsafe or dangerous way.

Practitioners need to take the necessary steps to protect themselves.

Those working in children and young people settings should always follow

procedures for risk assessment in the setting and for off site visits in order to

minimise the risk of accidents or injuries to children and young people. This should

include measures to identify and assess potential hazards, ensure appropriate

supervision, maintain adult:child ratios and implement strategies to manage

children’s behaviour. It should also include obtaining written permission from parents

and carers for children to participate in off site visits, for example visiting the local

library, adventure playground, museum or theatre.

There should be regular team discussions about safeguarding issues in order to

foster a supportive working environment and encourage staff to raise concerns.

Arrangements must also be in place for the supervision of all staff, which

includes the confidential discussion of sensitive issues.

2

One of the most effective ways for staff to protect themselves is to develop trusting,

respectful relationships with children, young people and their families. Knowing the

children and families you are working with is one of the best ways to develop mutual

trust and create an environment for open communication and sharing information.

Two-way communication with families enables those working in childrens settings to

provide information about planned activities at the setting, but also helps them to find

out about issues within the family that may affect children or young people, such as

parental divorce or a family bereavement. This helps to create and maintain mutually

beneficial relationships between families and professionals.

Any allegation of child abuse or neglect may lead to a criminal investigation and it is

important steps are taken to ensure nothing is done to jeopardise a police

investigation, such as questioning children, young people or parents.