Checklist for Safety Checks in Your Facility
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Safety Protocol
Home / The Elements of Prevention / Safe Physical and Virtual Environments
Home / The Elements of Prevention / Safe Physical and Virtual Environments
There are both physical and procedural elements involved in building safe environments for students that reduce the possibility of victimization.
Physical and Procedural Elements
Building a Safe Cyber-Environment
- Table of Contents
- Introduction
- The Elements of Prevention
- Definitions and Considerations
- Designing a Protocol
- Problematic Sexual Behavior
- Additional Considerations
- Understanding the Department of Children and Families (DCF) Response
- Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children and Human Trafficking
- Where Do We Go From Here?
- Appendices
- APPENDIX A: A History of This Manual
- APPENDIX B: Acknowledgements
- APPENDIX C: Safe Kids Thrive Web Addresses
- APPENDIX D: Physical and Behavioral Signs of Abuse and Neglect
- APPENDIX E: Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 119, Section 51A
- APPENDIX F: Policy Suggestions in Review
- APPENDIX G: Filing an Effective 51A Report
- APPENDIX H: 51A Report Form
- APPENDIX I: What Happens When DCF Receives a 51A Report?
- APPENDIX J: Sample Code of Conduct and Acknowledgement Form
- APPENDIX K. Sample Reporting Flow Chart
- APPENDIX L: Glossary
- APPENDIX M: Resources for Educators
- APPENDIX N: Supplemental Guidance to Support EQT-3 Superintendent’s Circular
- APPENDIX O: Endnotes
Monitoring Behavior
How-To in 3 Steps
Learn more about Monitoring Behavior at your organization. Download a free copy to keep and share with your team.
Step 1
Developing the Monitoring Protocol
- Determine how your Code of Conduct is being adhered to and where additional policy or training may be needed.
- Include language indicating all staff have the responsibility to observe and report inappropriate or concerning behaviors displayed by staff or by youth.
- Consult your child safety team to identify areas of strength and higher risk activities where monitoring would be especially important.
- Define the people who must be informed when staff, volunteers, or children observe inappropriate or harmful behavior.
- Outline the steps all staff and volunteers must follow when reporting suspected abuse.
Step 2
Promoting a Culture of Safety
- Encourage staff to view safety as a priority and mutual responsibility, encourage questions, establish ongoing communication, and provide support to build trust.
- Provide positive feedback when observing expected and appropriate behaviors.
- Ensure leadership is present, models appropriate behavior, supports positive interactions, and intervenes when needed.
- Conduct annual surveys and audits to gather information from staff, youth, and parents including questions about boundaries and appropriate behaviors.
- Equip parents with information about your child sexual abuse prevention plans.
Step 3
Sustaining the Monitoring Protocol
- Use individual supervision, performance reviews, and staff meetings to talk about the Code of Conduct and provide staff feedback on observed behaviors.
- Provide ongoing trainings that reinforce your Code of Conduct and Code of Ethics.
- Ensure all concerns are addressed and any harmful behaviors are reported to the Department of Children and Families and law enforcement.
- Review the results of the staff surveys and internal audits to identify areas for improvement, staff accountability, and transparency.
- Assess your protocol and implement changes based on findings.
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