Centre Staffing
The C4F has an effective system in place to recruit, screen and train paid and unpaid staff.
Existing paid and unpaid staff including sessional and regular agency staff must receive the training, support and supervision they require.
When the C4F is in operation there must be at least one member of staff that is a qualified First Aider and preferably in Pediatric First Aid.
Every centre must have at least one Coordinator/Team Leader on duty when the centre is open
All paid/unpaid staff must have written descriptions of their role and responsibilities within a C4F.
An accurate record of training undertaken by paid/unpaid staff is kept.
Every family should have a minimum of two named workers assigned to them throughout the time they are using the Centre.
A full risk assessment must be completed in advance of any contact taking place.
A Supervised C4F can refuse to take a referral if the risk assessment has identified that the contact would present too many risk factors for the service.
It is essential for Supervised C4F to be staffed in a way that will allow them to provide a safe and reliable service for adults and children.
Consideration should be given to ensuring that large family groups are allocated additional supervisors to ensure adequate supervision at all times.
The minimum number of paid/unpaid staff required when supervising a contact should be determined by:
a. the requirements of the referring agency,
b. the information on the referral,
c. the outcome of the risk assessment and
d. in agreement with the contact centre.
However, no less than two suitably qualified members of staff (see minimum standards of qualification for recruitment) plus one other, should be on the premises when a contact is taking place.
If contact is taking place in a number of rooms within the same building it is acceptable for one worker (duty or float person) to be the second worker provided the number of contacts they are working with does not exceed three.
Wherever possible the same workers should be responsible for supervising and recording the contact and working with the family.
If only one worker is present in a room where a contact is taking place outside of a contact centre, the worker supervising the contact should have access to a means by which they can summon immediate assistance from a second worker if it is required
If the number of contacts taking place within the same building exceeds three an additional worker will be required.
Minimum Staffing Requirements – Will always be 3 or as follows:
Families involved in contacts must be the subject of on-going risk assessments by the service provider.
All staff working in a Child Contact Centre providing Supervised Contact will be expected to undertake tasks that are in keeping with their qualifications, experience and training.
All paid/unpaid staff during a Child Contact Centre session must be clearly identifiable by user families (e.g. name badge, sweatshirt, t-shirt, tabard).
All paid/unpaid Supervised Child Contact Centre staff must receive a job description and have terms and conditions of employment that adhere to the relevant employment legislation.