• home
• keywords & contacts
• guidance/practice
• contact us
• search
• full contents

Contents

1. Introduction
2. Roles and Responsibilities
3. Safety and Home Visiting
4. Undertaking the Visit - Good Practice Guide
5. Visits Taking Place in the Centre
6. Violence by a Member of the Public towards Centre Staff
7. Reporting and Recording of Incidents of Violence
8. General Staff Safety Issues

1. Introduction

The security safety and well being of everyone who is employed, uses, volunteers and trains at the Centre is of paramount importance.

These procedures and guidance apply to all staff members, volunteers and students, who may be engaged in work both in the 'Centre' or on an outreach basis and which 'has the potential' ' to put them at risk of violent or abusive encounters.  For example, this could be childcare staff on home visits prior to children's admission, parent support workers visiting people in their own homes or in the Centre, or staff encountering angry or distressed people in the Centre or within the grounds.

2. Roles and Responsibilities

2.1 Head of Centre

• Implementing the security policy agreed by the Extended Services Committee;
• Ensuring that all staff appreciates the importance of personal safety security, Centre policies on their own responsibilities (see Section 2.2 Staff)
• Ensuring security risks are assessed;
• Ensuring that security incidents are reported to the appropriate departments;
• Keeping staff training needs under review and arranging training as necessary;
• Informing parents of the Centre's Security Policy and encouraging them to assist;
• Reporting security and safety issues to the Governing Body.

2.2 Staff

All staff have a responsibility to follow the Centre's security policy and co-operate with the Centre's requirements to maintain a safe and secure place of work.  This may include simple matters such as ensuring that doors with security locks are closed, questioning strangers who are not wearing Visitor Identification (see Challenging Strangers Procedure) and directing them to the reception area, securing valuable equipment at the end of the day and taking all necessary steps to keep themselves safe.

3. Safety and Home Visiting

Family Support Workers must use the signing in and out board in Reception.  Codes for family addresses should be used on the board for confidentiality purposes and addresses held by clerical staff, in accordance with data protection procedures. (See Record Keeping in Children's Centres Procedure). Parent Support Workers must leave their mobile phones switched on.

Childcare Workers, when engaged on home visits must leave the name and address of the family to be visited and expected times of return with a senior member of staff and leave mobile phones switched on.

All mobiles telephones numbers to be held in a secure but accessible location. (Add Centre's location) or if assigned a Centre mobile phone all numbers are kept by Head of Centre or Centre Manager and Admin office.

Should any member of staff not return at the expected time, attempts must be made to contact them on their mobile phone, through the visited family or their home landline, if not of these options result it contacting the member of staff, the most senior member of staff on duty must make an assessment of the next steps, which take account of the time of day, knowledge of the worker, the response of the 'visited family' if they were able to be contacted etc.   Where there is any cause of concern, the workers contact relative should be alerted and the Police should be contacted.

In cases where the visit is the last one of the day, or workers are undertaking a late home visit, the respective team leader must be informed of safety at the end of the visit, this could be by text or mobile message.

All managers to complete the violence at work risk assessment questionnaire.

It is important for both team leaders and workers to make a quick risk assessment prior to a home visit.

4. Undertaking the Visit - Good Practice Guide

Visits and especially the initial visit should be timed to allow the visit and the return to base to take place in daylight.

Personal panic alarms are available for staff to use.

On arrival the staff member should make themselves aware of exits, and seat themselves where they have unblocked access to an exit. If the staff member feels threatened or uneasy they should leave as soon as they can. This may turn out to be an error of judgment and could have consequences for the relationship with the family. However, it is better to 'be safe than sorry' and the worker would be supported in their decision where made in the genuine knowledge that their safety was at risk.

Staff members must record any particular difficulties or concerns about the visit, and discuss these with the Centre Manager, if there are doubts about continuing with home visits.

If staff members feel at risk during home visits then, they must inform their team leader as soon as practicable and undertake a risk audit, to explore these feelings and establish a plan to minimise any further threat to the staff member.  

5. Visits Taking Place in the Centre

Staff must notify the admin/family support team of rooms they have booked, and undertake joint sessions with a colleague if they feel threatened or uneasy about undertaking a session in the Centre. If problems arise during the session which leads the worker to feel that their safety is at risk, they must leave the room and alert a senior member of staff, who can support them to handle the situation appropriately.

In cases where a member of the leadership team feels that their safety is at risk, they too must inform the visitor that they are leaving the room and also seek support from a colleague.

6. Violence by a Member of the Public towards Centre Staff

6.1 Definition of Violence

The definition of violence is: 'Any incident in which an employee is abused, threatened or assaulted by a member of the public in circumstances arising out of the course of his or her employment', whether or not they are actually at work. Included within the definition are:

• Severe verbal abuse or threat where this is judged likely to turn into actual violence
• Serious or persistent harassment (including racial and sexual harassment)
• Threat with a weapon, major or minor injuries, fatalities.
• Threats of violence etc. received over the telephone are viewed in the same light as face-to-face threats.  

6.2 Violence towards a member of staff

In the event of violence, staff members must:

• Take the necessary steps to remove themselves from the situation as quickly as possible, and inform a member of the Centre leadership team of the situation, if appropriate contact the Police.
• Head of Centre / Centre Manager must ensure that the staff member is supported and given time to talk about the incident. In some cases further counselling or debriefing may be required.
• A violent incident report sheet should be completed and submitted to the Head of Centre, who will, along with the staff member, determine the next course of action and report the incident to: Corporate Health and Safety Manager.
• In the event of a member of staff having to give evidence in court in respect of any reported incident of violence, they will be supported by the Centre Manager or the  Head of Centre. If the employee is required to give evidence, the Council will allow leave of absence with pay.

7. Reporting and Recording of Incidents of Violence

• It is important to ensure that all incidents involving violent or aggressive behaviour are reported. The extent of the problem can only be identified if all incidents are reported. With this in mind, employees should be actively encouraged to report incidents.
• Where staff suffer actual bodily harm they should secure, as soon as possible a medical statement about the injuries.
• If an implement is used in the attack, it should be held on the premises, provided this can be done without undue difficulty or risk.
• The Head of Centre should always inform the Police in cases of serious assault, i.e. any assault that result in injury.

8. General Staff Safety Issues

8.1 Staff who work on the premises out of normal hours

Staff such as caretaking and cleaning staff can be vulnerable when working at times when other staff have left the building. The risks are those associated with staff isolation and therefore vulnerable to harassment or assault from members of the public. To maximise safety, the following procedures should be adhered to:

• External security lighting must be working and maintained and if in need of attention should be reported as a matter of urgency.
• Staff required to work in the grounds of the premises should carry a mobile phone and panic attack alarm
• Staff should not approach individuals/groups, who are acting suspiciously, if the staff member is working alone, it is advisable to ask for the support of a colleague if at all possible, before approaching these individuals. If not possible, staff should contact the Police, in cases where it is clear that the person represents a serious threat or is actually committing an offence.
• CCTV guards the premises and Clerical staff must check this regularly to ensure that it is in working order.
• Staff members working inside the building should ensure that doors / gates are securely locked, to avoid entry by unauthorised visitors.
• Should anyone ask to gain access, the staff member should not let him or her in unless they are completely certain of their identity and legitimacy.
• In the case of the Caretaker discovering an attempted or successful break in on their arrival at the centre, they should not enter the building alone, unless absolutely sure that the intruders have left. The Police and Head of Centre must be contacted immediately.
• The procedures outlined in Section 6.2, Violence towards a member of staff, for assaults on staff members apply.

8.2 Daytime Security

• Key pad locks are fitted to doors for security and these must be used.
• All visitors must sign in and out and no unauthorised visitors must be allowed access past reception areas.
• Any visitors, who are acting suspiciously or pose a threat to either adults or children, must be asked to leave immediately by a senior member of staff if available, if the person is resistant, the Police must be called immediately.
• Anyone entering the grounds without authorisation should be challenged and asked to leave and again the Police must be called if the request is met with resistance.
• Incidents must be recorded and copies sent to appropriate personnel. See Section 6.2, Violence towards a member of staff

End