6. School trips including residential trips
Anyone undertaking a school trip must refer to the on "Educational off-site Activities and Visits policy" (EV03) or contact the H&S Team.
The nature of these events will involve a range of working alone situations for the staff supervising the activity who may he supplemented by approved adult volunteers (e.g. soma ;1)L7.i.ents). H..)1. iniAed gender group the supervision team ideally need to comprise males and females for dealing with sensitive matters that will arise. In residential situations it is recommended that the staff work in pairs to avoid any potential compromising situation. There is a requirement for a minimum of two adults to be present when travelling.
7. Support for very young children and children with special educational needs
When dealing with these children, staff will necessarily be involved in assisting them with a variety of issues. This will include 1:1 assistance, which will sometimes, depending on the nature of the need, involve care and personal contact. For example, assisting with hygiene problems, toileting, undressing children for swimming, bathing or undertaking, where necessary, particular intimate tasks, assisting children with disabilities or dealing with distress.
Staff will use their professional judgement when dealing with these situations, but it is important that the manager has in place appropriate measures and guidance to safeguard children and members of staff. A regular review and audit of activities will identify those situations where working alone is both necessary and justified. This will enable appropriate procedures to be determined. Where there is a genuine concern about the degree of risk, the manager will need to consider the advisability of having a second member of staff in attendance.
8. Support for Staff
The City Council is committed to supporting and safeguarding staff in the proper conduct of their duties. Where a member of staff is verbally threatened or physically assaulted the matter must be promptly reported so that the incident can be appropriately dealt with and the necessary support arrangements addressed.
Managers should ensure that new staff are informed of the appropriate procedures (e.g. through the induction process).
Further advice and guidance is available from your Area HR Adviser. Depending on the details of any service level agreement, the Authority's Occupational Health - Counselling and Support Unit is available to provide support for employees. Advice on risk assessments is available from the H&S Team.