Safe Environments

What are Safe Environments?

Ensuring a safe environment for children includes targeting the five major areas of safety: visibility, access, supervision and communication, transportation, and safe technology use.

At minimum, Safe Environments include:

Adapting the physical space to create clear sightlines, where all areas are observable, unused areas are secured, and safety rules are posted publicly.
Procedures are in place to control and monitor access, and all individuals entering the site are identified and verified.
A clear understanding by all staff and volunteers about who is responsible for each child at all times, and child entry and release procedures are followed.

Continuous enforcement of Your Code of Conduct and all 1-on-1 interactions between staff and children are observable and interruptible.
Procedures to ensure safe use of bathroom, changing, and showering facilities (if applicable) are adopted and followed.

Safe Environments
How-To in 3 Steps

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Step 1

Establish Physical and Procedural Standards

Adopt physical safety standards, including clear sightlines, well-lit spaces, posting safety rules, and marking or securing off-limit areas.
Establish procedural standards, including visitor entry and expectations, and protocols to confirm children are released to trusted adults.
Adhere to adequate staff to youth ratios and verify all staff and volunteers understand who is responsible for each child.
Verify visitors are aware of and follow entry policies and expectations.
Ensure procedures for use of bathroom, changing, or shower facilities (if applicable) are understood by all staff and volunteers.
Analyze the physical spaces, the services you provide, and the children you serve and determine additional policies and procedures needed.

Step 2

Determine Additional Risks

Review and incorporate any state and national regulations and accreditation requirements that apply to your YSO.
Confirm drivers meet screening and hiring requirements if transportation to and from the site is provided by your YSO.
Define the policies and procedures, including needed changes in staff-to-child ratios when overnight trips, outings and field trips are conducted.
Establish how staff and volunteers communicate when they are not in the same physical location.
Determine what additional policy or oversight modifications may be needed for children with intellectual, developmental, or physical disabilities.
Decide if electronic communication between staff and youth is necessary, allowed, or prohibited, and is outlined in your policies.

Step 3

Implement Additional Considerations

Install cameras and mirrors to adequately monitor the physical space or designate a single-entry point to minimize unauthorized entry or exit.
Implement additional signage to guide children away from off-limits areas and conduct periodic security checks at locations with public access.
Monitor all social media and electronic communication between staff and children.
Ensure staff and volunteers participating in off-site activities adhere to policies on transportation and overnight activities.
Verify outside vendors are identified, follow entry procedures, and are monitored at all times.
Review your safe environment protocols and update regularly to remain effective.