1.4.3 Barricading

Contents

1. Planning and Prevention
2. General Principles  
3. Notifications and Management Review  
4. Recording 

1. Planning and Prevention

See Children’s Privacy Procedure (includes procedures on Children’s Bedrooms).

As part of the Risk assessment process for children/Parents, consideration should be given to whether they might use ‘barricading’.  If so, Care Programmes should include suitable Strategies to manage/reduce this behaviour.  In the absence of such strategies, the following will apply.

2. General Principles

If children lock or barricade themselves in a room in order to prevent access by Staff, the actions that are necessary will depend on the risks posed.

The factors that should be considered include the following:

1. If the child is suffering from a disability, debilitating conditions such as epilepsy, diabetes, amnesia or has any immediate essential medical needs;
2. If the child is known or suspected to have suicidal tendencies, or a mental health issue such as Self Harming. see Self Harming Procedure
3. Other concerns such as the state of mind of the child, if the child is likely to be subject of Bullying, Significant Harm* (e.g. if a child/baby is being held by a Parent/adult who is likely to cause such harm) or sexual exploitation, if the child may misuse drugs or solvents or seriously damage property.
   
   *Note: if there is any suspicion that a child is seriously at risk, consideration must be given to taking immediate action to protect the child (see Section 2.2, Increased Risk)

2.1 Low Risk

If the risks are low, which means that there is no perceived risk of Injury, Damage to Property or of any offence being committed, the situation should be monitored and efforts made to obtain the children’s co-operation to resolve it satisfactorily.

The Strategies that should be adopted will depend on the age, level of understanding of the child(ren) and other circumstances on the day.  However, Staff should do what they can to maintain a low risk, and not to escalate the situation. 

2.2 Increased Risk

If possible, other colleagues as well as the Manager (or Police in an emergency) should be consulted before actions are taken.  The manager may decide to report the matter or consult the Police.

However, it is for those Staff present to decide what actions are necessary, having considered all the risks and Strategies that are available to them. Staff must take a view on what risk may be  presented by not taking action to enter a room as well as giving consideration  to what may happen if they do; the decision  must always rest on 'best interest' and 'lowest risk' for those concerned.

Where harm or injury  is suspected or has occurred  as a result of a barricading situation, it is advisable that Staff assess the wellbeing of those involved and, where necessary, seek medical advice and assistance.

3. Notifications and Management Review

There are different notifications procedures depending on whether matters are concluded with or without the co-operation of children.

The Management review must include a risk assessment of any environmental factors that have contributed to the risk presented and identify, with a view to implementation, any actions that can / should  be taken to reduce the risk of recurrence.

3.1 With Co-operation/No serious concern:

If concluded with the co-operation of the child(ren) and there is no serious concern (e.g. no injury or damage to property), the Manager should be notified at the first opportunity;  the manager will then decide whether to notify the relevant social worker. 

3.2 Without Co-operation/serious concern:

If the child did not co-operate (or did co-operate but injury/damage resulted), the Manager and child’s Social Worker must be notified without delay.  The social worker should decide whether to inform the child’s Parent(s) and, if so, who should do so.

If any Notifiable Event occurred, the manager must notify other managers and agencies as required in Notifiable Events Procedure.

It will also be necessary for the manager to conduct a Management Review as set out in Incidents Reporting Procedure.

4. Recording

If the matter is resolved with the co-operation of the child(ren) and there is no serious concern, Staff should record it in the home’s daily/routine records (e.g. Daily Log, child’s Profile, Diary Sheet or Detailed Record).

If the child does not co-operate or an incident occurs, Staff should complete a Detailed Record Sheet and Incident Form/Report.

If incidents are serious or persistent, it may be necessary to review/update the child's Care Programme.

End