Safe working practice protects both the people you work with and you. It helps to prevent harm, and helps to prevent false suspicion.
The position of trust
Anyone who works or volunteers with children or adults at risk has a position of trust. The person depends on you. Your power over them is greater than you may see. Because of this:
- A relationship of a romantic or sexual kind with a child or an adult you support is never acceptable.
- It is a criminal offence under the Sexual Offences Act 2003 for a person aged 18 or over in a position of trust, in settings such as education and care, to engage in sexual activity with a child under 18 in their care, even if the child is over the age of consent.
- Think about how things look as well as how they are.
Professional boundaries
- Treat everyone fairly and with respect. Do not show favourites.
- Do not share personal contact details, such as your phone number, private email or social media account, with children or adults you support.
- Do not contact them privately, for example by text, social media or messaging apps, unless your organisation's policy allows and sets how.
- Do not accept friend requests from children you work with.
- Do not give or accept gifts of value, or favours. Tell your manager if you are offered any.
- Do not meet outside work, or give lifts, unless your organisation's policy allows and has approved it.
- Do not share your own personal problems with them, and do not ask them for emotional support.
- Do not make jokes with sexual meaning or use inappropriate language.
Safe working practice
- Avoid being alone with one child or one adult at risk where you can. Use open spaces, leave doors open, or work in view of others. Tell a colleague where you are.
- If you must be alone, follow your organisation's lone working policy.
- Physical contact: only what is necessary, appropriate and allowed by your policy, for example first aid or helping someone in danger. Always explain and, where you can, ask first. Stop if the person is uncomfortable.
- Personal care is done only by staff who are trained and authorised to do it. Follow the person's care plan.
- Do not use physical punishment, or shout, shame or threaten.
- Restraint is used only by trained staff, and only when the law and your policy allow it.
- Photos and videos: follow your organisation's rules. Get the proper permission, and never use a personal device unless you are allowed.
- Online contact: use only the official channels your organisation provides.
- Alcohol and drugs: do not work with children or adults at risk if you are under their influence.
When things go wrong
Mistakes happen. If you have been put in a situation that seems unsafe, or you think something you did could be misunderstood:
- Tell your manager or safeguarding lead as soon as you can. Be honest.
- Write down what happened.
- If a child or adult makes an allegation against you, follow your employer's procedure. The employer will involve the LADO where the allegation is about someone who works with children. Do not contact the person.
Pre-employment checks and the DBS
Employers who work with children or adults at risk must follow safer recruitment practice. For some roles they ask for a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Under the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006, it is an offence for a person barred from this work to apply for it, and for an employer to knowingly employ them in it. A DBS check is only a snapshot. It does not replace good practice or a culture where people speak up.
Challenge poor practice
If you see a colleague cross a boundary, do not ignore it. Raise it with your safeguarding lead, or use your whistleblowing policy (see the earlier lesson).
Key points
- You hold a position of trust. Keep your relationships professional.
- Avoid private contact, favouritism and being alone with one person.
- Follow your organisation's code of conduct.
- Be open about mistakes, and speak up about poor practice.