2. Safer Working Practice

Adults who work with children must understand that they are in a position of trust. This arises from the nature of their work, and the responsibilities related to it. It is crucial that all adults who work with children know what is expected of them in terms of appropriate and safe behaviour. This applies to all adults involved in every setting, paid or unpaid working directly with children or not.

The Government issued the 'Guidance for safer working practice for those working with children and young people in education settings'. The guidance is generic, and some sections may be more appropriate to early years and childcare settings than others. Each setting is provided with a link to access a current copy of the 'Guidance for safer working practice for those working with children and young people in education settings' for information when attending Safeguarding Lead Practitioner (SLP) training.

The guidance aims to:

• Keep children safe by clarifying which behaviours constitute safe practice, and which behaviours should be avoided
• Assist adults to work safely and responsibly, and to monitor their own standards and practice
• Support managers and employers in setting clear expectations of behaviour and/or relevant codes of practice
• Support employers in giving a clear message that unlawful or unsafe behaviour is unacceptable and that, where appropriate, disciplinary or legal action will be taken.
• Minimise the risk of misplaced or malicious allegations against adults
• Reduce the incidents of positions of trust being abused or misused
• Support safer recruitment

Adults whose practice deviates from the guidance may bring into question their suitability to work with children in any capacity and could result in disciplinary action.

Adults who work with children should be aware that their behaviour outside the work situation or in relation to their own children may be seen as having an impact on their work situation, and on their suitability to work with children. The obvious example is that an offence committed against a child outside of work will almost certainly have implications for continued working with children. But other behaviour - such as misuse of alcohol or drugs, or abuse of other adults - may also have implications.