Physical and Procedural Standards for a Safe Environment
Physically safe spaces, with proper supervision, are required to maintain safety standards at your Youth-Serving Organization (YSO). Ensure policies…
Make Your Own Code of Conduct
Home / Code of Conduct / Make Your Own Code of Conduct
Your Code of Conduct will provide your staff, volunteers, and others responsible for children and youth with very specific guidelines that will guide behavior including:
- Adult interactions with youth/children
- Interactions between youth/children
- Interactions between staff/volunteers
- Interactions with family
- Approval, requirements, and monitoring of partners/volunteers/providers
- Safety and security
- Required responses to witnessing breaches to your Code of Conduct
Because your Code of Conduct must speak to your own specific organization, your operations, and your unique set of risks and protective factors, writing it begins with considering what your organization stands for, what it values, and how your organization supports those values through your staff, volunteers, and participants. It also helps to consider the specifics of your culture, experience, vulnerabilities, and other characteristics that may be unique to your organization and the population you serve.
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Monitoring Behavior
Developing the Monitoring Behaviors Protocol
Your Youth-Serving Organization (YSO) should develop a protocol to keep staff and volunteers accountable for their behaviors. Identify the…
Reporting
Reporting: Responding to Allegations of Abuse
Staff and volunteers at the YSO (Youth-Serving Organization) should be proficient in discussing abuse and responding to disclosures of abuse. YSO…
Policies & Procedures
Sample Self-Audit Form for YSOs
Sample Self-Audit Form for YSOs You can use the following “Self-Audit” form to take an inventory of your youth-serving organization’s abuse…
Screening & Hiring
Basic Requirements of Screening and Hiring
Your Youth-Serving Organization (YSO) should create protocols for the application, interviewing, and screening process. Each step of the process…
Training
Training Children & Youth
Ideally, all children/youth should receive training and education on issues of personal safety and abuse prevention. However, not every organization…
Reporting
Massachusetts Law on Reporting Requirements
Mandated reporters are required to immediately report suspicions of child abuse and neglect to the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families…
Code of Conduct
What’s in a Code of Conduct?
Along with guiding appropriate behavior, your Code of Conduct should include a clear description of the lines of communication and reporting…
Screening & Hiring
Know the State & Federal Laws That Apply
State and federal laws and regulations require specific types of screening and background checks—particularly criminal and sexual offense records…
Policies & Procedures
Continuous Improvement of Your Policies and Procedures
Your Policies and Procedures must be continuously referred to throughout the year. At a minimum, an annual review of all policies and procedures…
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