2.14 Security of the Resources |
SCOPE OF THIS CHAPTER
This is Chapter is general guidance for Resource Staff.
For guidance relating to nighttime security see:
Contents
- Security of Keys
- Security of Offices
- Security of Personal Property, Children and Staff
- Security of Children, Identity and Admission of Visitors
- Security in the Resource
- Security of Cleaning Materials
1. Security of Keys
All keys must be kept securely in resource offices when unless used by staff. When held by staff keys must be held on the person or handed to a responsible adult/member of staff at all times.
No member of staff is permitted to have additional keys cut for any vehicle or property without the consent of the Group Manager.
Loss of keys must be reported immediately to your manager.
2. Security of Offices
Young people are not permitted in resource offices. Filing cabinets containing personnel or young people's files are to be kept locked at all times.
Ground floor and skylight windows should not be left open when offices are unattended.
Offices within all our properties must be kept locked at all times when not occupied.
3. Security of Personal Property, Children and Staff
All employees must take every precaution to ensure the security of personal possessions. The Company cannot be held responsible for any losses arising. It is the responsibility of all staff members to take care of their personal possessions by adhering to policy guidelines.
Contents insurance covers the personal possessions of children in their home. Full inventories of children's personal property must be made on arrival and updated or the insurance is invalid. Insurance applies to theft/break-in only, not general losses.
A child may request on admission, or at any other time, that small items of high value (i.e. jewellery) are kept secure by us during their stay. A form of receipt must be signed by the child and an adult in such a case and all items are kept safely stored and locked away in the staff office. Children should receive from their team, advice and guidance on keeping their personal property safe.
However, children remain responsible for their own possessions.
Car keys, cheque books and credit cards should be kept on the person or securely locked away at all times.
4. Security of Children, Identity and Admission of Visitors
Where any friend, relative or professional makes arrangements to visit a child, all reasonable steps must be taken to confirm the identity of that person and their right to access. All visitors should sign the visitors book.
Where a child is taken for home visits, all reasonable steps must be taken to confirm the identity of the person/address where the young person is taken.
Staff should carry their identify cards with them at all times.
5. Security in the Resource
Staff members should observe all normal domestic security precautions and any additionally imposed on them by the requirement of the work.
Staff members should educate the children in the reasons for implementing standard security procedures as part of their daily programme. Homes must always be securely locked, (including all doors, garages, sheds and any lockable windows) when leaving the premises. Failure to comply with this procedure may result in disciplinary action.
Keys should not be left in the home. They should be handed over from one staff member to another. Where practical circumstances make this impossible, safe and secure arrangements for the transfer of keys must be agreed in advance and notification given to the Group Manager. All outside doors and ground floor windows should be locked at night.
Whilst the resource is occupied:
- Whilst Young People are in the resource, the room allocated as an office shall remain locked at all times, unless occupied by a member of staff. If it is not possible to lock the door then a filing cabinet should be used, this being locked at all times, unless being used by a member of staff.
- At night and while the resource is occupied, the office should be fully locked, using a mortice lock where fitted. All drawers and filing cabinets, where locks and keys are provided should be locked. Downstairs external windows should all be securely fastened and external doors must be shut but not mortice locked or with the yale lock dropped, as this would prevent easy access in the event of a fire. All internal doors must be kept closed as they are fire doors and this is part of fire regulations.
Whilst the resource is unoccupied:
- When the resource is unoccupied the area allocated as the office needs to be mortice locked, and all drawers and filing cabinets that have locks and keys need to be firmly locked. All external windows on all levels of the resource need to be securely fastened. All internal doors need to be shut as per fire regulations. All external doors where mortice locks are fitted need to be used.
- If the resource is going to be left unoccupied during dusk and night hours, a low energy light should be left on as this will give the impression of the resource being occupied.
6. Security of Cleaning Materials
It is important that both cleaning products and medicines are kept locked behind closed doors. These doors only being unlocked when access is required and being immediately re-locked after use.
For more detail see:
End