Know the Basics
Where is the Child Protection Binder located in your programming locations?
Answers may vary
A youth in your after-school program always comes to group without proper winter clothing, even on extremely cold days.
What is monitor for signs of neglect, document the pattern, and consult your Child Protection Lead or child protection services if concerns continue?
What is CODE RED?
What is CODE PINK?
Bonus Points if you can name other colors & their codes
RED = FIRE
PINK = WEAPON
WHITE = Angry or aggressive person
PURPLE = Severe Weather
True or False,
When a room is not in use, should it be left unlocked?
What is FALSE
True or False: You should always keep everything a youth tells you completely confidential.
What is false?
What is the term used to describe the legal obligation to report suspected child abuse or neglect?
What is, duty to report?
Unresponsive in the Washroom
You’re working a late afternoon shift at one of the youth program sites. A 15-year-old participant asks to use the washroom and doesn’t return after 10 minutes. You knock—no response. You unlock the door with another staff present and find the youth slumped over, unresponsive, with shallow breathing and blue lips. On the floor beside them is a small baggie with white residue and a rolled-up bill.
You remember the site has a naloxone kit.
Where and how to administer the Naloxane?
What do you do to ensure safety of other youth?
1. Ensure Personal Safety
Quickly assess the scene for hazards (e.g., needles, drugs).
Do not touch any unknown substances.
If safe, proceed. If not, wait for emergency personnel.
2. Check for Responsiveness
Try to rouse the youth by calling their name loudly.
Perform a sternum rub (knuckles rubbed firmly on the chest).
If no response and they appear to be overdosing (blue lips, shallow or no breathing, unresponsive) — assume it's an opioid overdose.
3. Call 911 Immediately
Even if you plan to administer naloxone, you must call emergency services.
Clearly explain: youth is unresponsive and may have overdosed.
4. Administer Naloxone
Follow the directions in your nasal spray kit (or injection, depending on kit).
Administer one dose
Begin rescue breathing or CPR if trained and needed.
If there's no improvement in 2-3 minutes, give the second dose if available.
5. Stay with the Youth
Lay them in the recovery position (on their side) if breathing improves.
Monitor closely and reassure them if they wake up (they may be confused or agitated).
Wait for EMS and provide them with all information.
6. Report & Document
Notify your supervisor as soon as possible.
Fill out an incident report using your organization’s process.
Do not speculate in the report—stick to facts (e.g., “found youth slumped in washroom, shallow breathing, administered naloxone”).
If applicable, report to child protection services depending on your duty to report guidelines.
When youth walks through the front door of Homebase, what are the steps to a proper welcoming?
introduce yourself
ask them for what services they are here for
sign them in on the Ipad
give them a locker, if they have a backpack or other items
Guide them to their service or programming.
Yes, each time a youth is transported you need visual confirmation they have gotten into the cab.
THEN, this is communicated to the parents that they are on route to home, then the parents SHOULD communicate with you once they arrive home. As per the transfer of care policy.
A youth told you something personal during a one-on-one check-in. Another staff who works with them asks how they’re doing.
Can you share what the youth said?
What is only if it directly affects the youth’s safety or care and even then, only share the necessary details with staff who are part of the support plan?
Name two common signs of physical abuse in children.
What are unexplained bruises and frequent injuries with inconsistent explanations?
An incident occurred at Homebase where the police were called and involved. What are the steps that staff must take immediately following an incident?
Double points, where can the incident forms be found within your center?
Submit an Incident form must be submitted to your Director / Ashley or Steve immediately.
Double points: HOMEBASE team, yours is in the Incident Forms folders in SharePoint
YMCA, yours will be located in your SharePoints in the General folder.
How do you respond to a child/youth who discloses abuse?
If this is in a group setting, pull them aside & give support and reassurance as they may feel anxious and vulnerable about what people think of them and what will happen next.
Some comments you could say are
- I believe you
- I am sorry this happened to you
- You are not alone
- You will be helped
You are to not make any promises, that the person will go to jail, etc.
What is FALSE
You're in a team meeting and want to share a story about a youth's challenging behavior to get support from coworkers. What must you be careful to do?
What is avoid using names or identifying details and only share on a need-to-know basis?
Your Child Protection Lead is who?
Toni Nesbitt
A 13-year-old shows you sexually explicit messages an adult sent them online. They don’t want you to tell anyone because they’re afraid of getting their phone taken away.
What is reassure the youth they are not in trouble, report the situation immediately to child protection and/or police, and document the incident factually?
You are wrapping up your mentorship group at a local school.
Group was over 12 minutes ago, you have one child left waiting to be picked up you are waiting by the front door. He is a mature 11 year old, they are wanting to walk home. What do you do?
You are going to phone the numbers/contact information you have with you in your mentorship binder. If the parent or guardian giver verbal consent, that is permission for the youth to walk home.
True or False: A youth has disclosed a form of abuse happening to them. You follow the child safe guarding policies. After the youth leave, are you able to debrief with other staff?
What is FALSE:
You are under NO circumstances to share with staff at any point of any thing mentioned within the disclosure. This is all Confidential information.
The exception would be, if you are needing to make a report and your groups needs to be supervised. You can ask your supervisor to cover you as you make a phone call.
Note: Take note of soft vs formal referral, for this next question. Soft referral (informal support within the organization) formal referral (to outside services)
You’re working with a youth, in a YMCA program, or a social event at Homebase, who could benefit from seeing the mental health service down the hall. What’s the right way to make that soft referral connection while respecting confidentiality?
What is ask for the youth’s consent to share their name and reason for the referral, explain the process clearly, and only share what’s necessary with the receiving staff?
Keeping in mind the importance of their voice and choice even within the internal organization. Respecting their decision and privacy when having these conversations.
Although, Children and Youth can be subjected to more than one form of abuse.
Name the 4 different forms of abuse a child or youth could face.
Physical
Emotional
Sexual
and neglect
You suspect a staff member is favoring one youth, giving them gifts and exclusive attention. The youth recently started withdrawing from others and becomes visibly uncomfortable around this staff member.
- Report to Child Protection Services (refer to Child Protection Disclosure kit for the appropriate form to fill out.
- As soon as the call has been made, you are to inform the manager (Ashley Florent) that a call has been made against a staff OR volunteer. Who then notifies CP lead & CEO
- If the vulnerable person safety is at immediate risk or danger shall call the police
There is a power outage in the building, at Homebase.
What do you do?
Gather all youth & staff in the YMCA classroom (biggest room with the biggest windows)
- Then a headcount would be conducted, all youth are then sent home. Phone call home if necessary.
True or False:
A child has arrived for their group at the South Albert location. You have 3 children youth in the Comm Dev space playing LEGOS while they wait for everyone to show up.
True or false, can you leave to go open the door quickly to let the child waiting outside inside.
FALSE: NO children are to be left unattended at any time.
You are to take the children with you, unless a 100% vision can be seen at that time.
DAILY DOUBLE: Worth 1000 points
You can legally share information about a youth when one of these three exceptions is met. Name all three.
What is:
Risk of harm to the youth or others
Legal obligation (e.g. subpoena, duty to report)
With informed consent from the youth or guardian