Tips From Pros

Personal Safety for Kids and Volunteers

Personal safety tips from “Working with Kids: What You Need to Know to Make the Biggest Impact & Get The Most Rewards” training.
Volunteers must know and follow the agency’s guidelines. Some volunteers will be doing risky behaviors with kids; others are in classrooms; all should follow the rules and use common sense.

• Dos: Shoulder to shoulder or side hugs; handshakes, high fives, get permission before touching.
• Don’ts: Hair, head; no piggybacks; sitting on laps; full-frontal hugs; tickling or wrestling or any action that immobilizes or compromises the child’s movements; no contact with the child’s private areas; engaging in any other action that could be construed to be sexual (e.g. massage, etc.)
• No exchange of phone numbers or emails without parental consent
• No exchange of gifts without permission from parents and supervisors
• Provide privacy in changing rooms and bathrooms.

Developed by: Lisa Beczkiewicz, Anna-Margaret Yarbrough, Loraine Bond, Desirae Ware and Mary McCourt