Health and Safety Expert Corner

Active Supervision

The most important way that caregivers can ensure children are safe is through active supervision. But what does active supervision actually mean?

New Online Tutorial- Managing Risk: Supervision of Children

Most serious occurrences and injuries are predictable and preventable, but when supervision strategies break down, children can be at risk. We know that children must be supervised at all times, but what does that actually mean? Managing Risk: Supervision of Children provides a list of common mistakes and risks to consider when developing or reviewing your policies and procedures, checklists, tools and strategies for keeping the children in your care safe. At the end of the tutorial, you’ll also find resources, references, a facilitator guide and added group discussion questions so that you can easily facilitate your own team training.

New Quick-Tip Tutorial: Importance of Fire Drills

Planning, practice and training is the best way to keep children safe. Staff must know how to respond to a fire emergency - even if they are there on an infrequent basis. Learn about basic fire drill standards and practices for your CNC program in this quick-tip tutorial.

Helping You Meet the Requirements: Serious Occurrences

According to the new CNC requirements, in addition to reporting a serious occurrence to IRCC, you now must also inform CMAS. Find out how you can meet the requirement. Read More

Keeping Kids Safe: Part 1 – Key Messages – Pearl Rimer

People from all over the world want to do their best to ensure the safety of the children in their care. “Streetproofing” and “stranger danger” were terms used in the past to describe information about keeping kids safe. These are now being replaced with terms like “personal safety” because the reality is that most children are harmed by someone known or trusted. As a result, safety messages for children and teens have changed so that they apply to any situation. Part 1 of the resource sheet “Keeping Our Kids Safe Is The Most Important Thing!”, written by Pearl Rimer, Manager of Research & Training at Boost Child Abuse Prevention & Intervention, offers up-to-date information for staff to share with clients as we work together to keep kids safe. This resource is available in English and French.

Keeping Kids Safe: Part 2 – Developmental Factors – Pearl Rimer

People from all over the world want to do their best to ensure the safety of the children in their care. “Streetproofing” and “stranger danger” were terms used in the past to describe information about keeping kids safe. These are now being replaced with terms like “personal safety” because the reality is that most children are harmed by someone known or trusted. As a result, safety messages for children and teens have changed so that they apply to any situation. Part 2 of the resource sheet “Keeping Our Kids Safe Is The Most Important Thing!”, written by Pearl Rimer, Manager of Research & Training at Boost Child Abuse Prevention & Intervention, offers up-to-date information for staff to share with clients as we work together to keep kids safe. This resource is available in English and French.

Overcoming Barriers to Reporting Suspicions of Child Abuse & Children Exposed to Family Violence: Part 1 – Pearl Rimer

One phone call can save a child from serious harm, perhaps even death, and yet, suspicions of child abuse are not reported nearly enough. If the system is to succeed in protecting children and supporting families, a community where members follow through on their legal and moral duty to report suspicions of abuse is essential. Pearl Rimer, Manager of Research & Training at Boost Child Abuse Prevention & Intervention, discusses how to overcome barriers to reporting abuse. This resource is available in English and French.

Overcoming Barriers to Reporting Suspicions of Child Abuse & Children Exposed to Family Violence: Part 2 – Pearl Rimer

Pearl Rimer, Manager of Research & Training at Boost Child Abuse Prevention & Intervention, discusses maintaining a positive client relationship where there is a suspicion of abuse is often a concern for staff. This resource is available in English and French.

Spanking: Discipline or Abuse? – Pearl Rimer

Canadian research tells us that approximately 75% of physical abuse investigations are related to a child being punished inappropriately. Often in these cases, the punishment, which was not intended to injure the child, has gone too far. Although cultural factors may play a role in how children are disciplined, injuring a child is unacceptable. Physical punishment clearly exposes children to risks, and doesn’t it make sense to reduce risks whenever possible? Pearl Rimer, Manager of Research & Training at Boost Child Abuse Prevention & Intervention, discusses physical punishment and its effects. This resource is available in English and French.

October is Child Abuse Prevention Month

What will you do to stop child abuse? “When you feel badly about reporting a parent, you are preventing an opportunity for the Children’s Aid Society to help and support this family. Children’s Aid is always seen as negative and they will take away your children. It’s just not true.”Pearl Rimer, BOOST Read More