Line of sight in a care and protection residence

The Working with Children and Young People in Residences policy says that:

The primary task of the residence’s care team is to engage with the tamariki or rangatahi and proactively support their behaviour.

During each shift, all staff members must be in the line of sight of at least one other staff member and all children and young people must be in the line of sight of at least one staff member.

Working with Children and Young People in Residences policy

• Plan all activities so we can maximise the direct supervision of young people.
• During each shift, we must try to be in the line of sight of at least one other staff member.
• If we cannot remain in line of sight of another staff member while working with tamariki or rangatahi, we should inform our colleagues via RT. We should also remain in line of sight of a security camera in case a situation needs a review in the future.
• All tamariki and rangatahi must be in the line of sight of at least one staff member when accessing shared spaces with others. Young people are not to be left alone together.
• We need to know the location within the residence of all young people at all times.
• Some areas of a residence, such as the kitchen, require direct staff supervision, as line of sight alone is not adequate for managing safety.
• We remain within hearing distance of children and young people, especially if we believe, or are suspicious, that unsafe actions are being planned.
• When young people are in their rooms, the rooms are monitored, and the bedroom alarms are on.
• At nighttime when young people come out of their rooms, we maintain line of sight to make sure they return to their own room safely.

Keeping children and young people safe at night at a care and protection residence

• We need to be aware of where each team member is during any shift.
• We should not be alone with a young person    except in limited circumstances where thorough safety planning has occurred and following an appropriately approved plan.
• We should always carry an RT when working within the residence   in case we require urgent assistance.
• We limit the number of areas open to children and young people at any given time so we can maintain line of sight more easily.
• We minimise the amount of time we spend in the staff hub.

• The shift leader approves any breaks taken and makes sure that the line-of-sight expectations are maintained.
• Breaks must always be: 2 x 10min breaks and a 1 x 30min break.
• Breaks are not to be combined as one long 50min break.

• We should always be aware of group dynamics and any potential risky situations.
• While we should be within hearing distance, best practice is that we are also engaging in prosocial conversations and activities with young people and readily responding to any inappropriate conversations or unsafe behaviour.
• When we detect any suspicious behaviour, we discuss how to manage it with the team .

• Mealtimes require additional safety planning and management. Higher levels of supervision during meals is necessary, therefore staff, tamariki and rangatahi should be seated together in the dining room area during these times.
• Tamariki and rangatahi should not go into the kitchen unless they are accompanied by a staff member.
• Cutlery must be counted before and after mealtimes to ensure it is promptly identified if any cutlery is misplaced.