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- What Makes Someone a Good Advocate and Leader of Safeguarding the Vulnerable?
- When a Teacher Breaks Trust: Why Safeguarding Must Be a Year-Round Priority in Our Schools
- Elevating Safeguarding in Sport
- Holding Elder Care Facilities Accountable: A Family Guide to Advocacy
- Becoming Everyday Protectors: The Power of Vigilance and Compassion
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You are well underway into a new program year! How is registration processes?
The purpose of this blog entry is to encourage you to take time 6-8 weeks into the program year to review your registration forms, highlighting things that should be communicated to teachers, helpers, and program personnel.
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I remember the phone call vividly, “Melodie, your mother and my mother are good friends, I would love to meet you. Could I take you out for hot chocolate after school next week?” Deb Kuyers entered my world - I was barely out of elementary school, and this beautiful, vivacious high-school junior wanted to spend time with me! That phone call changed the course of my life.
Forty years later, I still remember the investment Deb made in my young life. I salute my mother for encouraging Deb to call me. Though my godly, stay-at-home mother was an amazing woman, she recognized that other individuals could play an important role in building upon the foundation she and my father had laid.
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When planning a program for children and young people you may be required by law to demonstrate compliance with a set of provincial or state requirements. For school-age programs, these will include issues such as food-handling, child sign-in, and sign-out procedures, building cleanliness, child-to-staff ratios, space requirements, and requirements for the types of activities offered.
Research in all areas of education has shown that low staff to child ratios are critical for learning to take place. Also, one of the ways an organization can demonstrate that they are fulfilling their duty of care to their staff and volunteers is to manage appropriately child-to-staff ratios.
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Five years ago, I was invited to attend a conference on risk management. The auditorium was filled with Senior Leadership of organizations that service the vulnerable sector. I had the privilege of sitting on a panel of peers, many who were experts in their field of corporate law, criminal law, liability insurance, police, and abuse prevention workers.
A question was asked, “Have we seen the end of the additional requirements that will be placed on us, to qualify for abuse coverage?”
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Aug5Wed
The Do’s and Don’ts: Screening Staff and Volunteers Working with the Vulnerable Sector
August 5, 2015The countdown’s on - we are weeks away from another program year. Many organizations take a well-earned break during the summer months but they know they may need to recruit additional staff or volunteers for the Fall. -
When I was a young girl (in the 60’s) I can remember admiring young people[1]! I couldn’t wait until I could wear stiletto heels, have sleepovers, drive in convertibles, chew tobacco (I never did this one), and be a camp counsellor, like the teens around me.
My role models (good and bad) helped shape my young years. So, when I was 15 years of age I began volunteering in the summers working with children at camps and missions, and during the school year as a Candy Striper in a Veterans Hospital. They were happy days where I was able to give back and become a role model to many. I learned many rewarding skills and gained terrific experience...
We definitely think it’s a great idea to utilize young people to work with children. Here are 20 important things to keep in mind when working with youth volunteers and staff ... -
Jul15Wed
Let the truth be told: Who falls under the term "Position of Trust" and "Occasional Observer"?
July 15, 2015To be truthfully honest, I am a little surprised. I like to believe the best about our clients, but some of you have bought into a lie or there is a complete misconception. I’m not sure whose eyes you are trying to pull the wool over but, I am going to be tough on you here! I am beginning to believe some of you are taking short-cuts and trying to find loopholes in your policies and procedures.
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School is out for summer! As we applaud young people for their diligent efforts this year, we also applaud caregivers for the time and resource investment that they have made in the lives of children and youth. We can all make a huge sigh of relief that another school year is complete.
But can we? -
With all the news stories of abuse, it truly astounds me that organizations are still struggling with the value, importance and purpose of abuse prevention and protection. I am left wondering, has there been a communication breakdown? Have we miscommunicated the purpose, importance and value of Plan to Protect®? Why after 20 years, are organizations servicing the vulnerable sector (the people group most susceptible to abuse), still resisting the need to be on high alert to individuals who could harm those they love.
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Newspaper headlines:“Pedophile volunteered at local church.”
“Camp Counsellor engage in inappropriate communication with camper!”
“Family members charge Not-for-Profit organization leaders for undue influence with deceased mother’s Last Will.”
Unfortunately these news headlines in themselves don’t surprise us anymore. However, when we take the time to read the details of the story, we may be surprised by the circumstances.
