Greetings to anyone who is visiting because of the CYM 'Safeguarding' seminar, thanks for make it such an interesting and earthed session :-)
As promised here are the powerpoint slides: Safeguarding'.pdf
The documents from the Oxford Diocese that I mentioned can all be found here and I particularly recommend from there, 'Protecting Children in the Diocese of Oxford' which is our overall policy.
Regarding Risk assessment, here's something useful, here's an interesting document and here's something flippant.
Here's the flip chart list of issues/questions that you articulated at the beginning of the seminar:
Are bureaucratic requirements going to get worse?
Is it true that lots of activity games are now banned
If you are looking for anything else there is a search box in the right hand column, failing that e-mail me.
Are bureaucratic requirements going to get worse?
I don't think so, hopefully too we'll settle into a place where H&S is a useful tool NOT the tail that wags the dog.
(To cuddle or not) Is it possible to be professional and relationally human?
Yes, I believe it is, but boundary issues are important.
How quick does [Safeguarding] stuff change?
We are in a period of change at the moment as there is an attempt to join things up, also the forthcoming ISA will be a BIG change.
Electronic media (txt, e-mail, MSN, Social Networking etc)
Great tools for youthwork, as ever record anything of concern. The one contensious area though is Social Networking and it may not be possible to use SN sites and maintain important boundaries.
How does this stuff work in detached settings?
The same in many ways BUT with additional areas relating to personal safety as well, check out Richard Passmores book on the subject
Is it true that lots of activity games are now banned?
No ..... but a risk assessment may mean that a certain game or a certain game in a certain context is a BAD idea.
Contact details? What can we keep, what should we keep?
Contact details are important, see our Diocesan Policy document.
Consent Forms, Are they actually important?
Yes, see our Diocesan Policy document
Peer leaders, Boundaries, appropriate and inappropriate relationships?
Complex and important, reflect on boundaries and power issues!
What is our Legal Liability? Check your insurance cover, ensure you are working safely and within 'Good Practice' and your organisations' policies!
Passing info on, when, what and how do we make referrals? When not doing something would be to the determent of a young person (or several).
Compassion vs. Professionalism?
Integrate through reflective practice!
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