Children in the workplace

[hayesmsthing 0]

Especially during the summer months when school is out, a lot of staff bring their children to work and expect them to "help out" with activity. I look at it as a free babysitting service. Last year I posted a notice on each nurses station that youth volunteers must be at least 16 years old and they must attend orientation before starting. They also must have updated PPD shots and the TB shot in order to volunteer. This seemed to stop the free babay sitting service dead in it's tracks. But it makes me wonder how do other facilities handle youth volunteers?

[belkins 0]

we have a policy that states that youth volunteers must have a responsible adult with them. responsible adult is 18 or older. Also all volunteers must remain in a supervised area. If a volunteer would like to work with someone one to one in the residents room they must first pass a drug and alcohol screen and a background check attend new employee orientation. It's a process for a volunteer to qualify for in room one to one activities. Most of all once this process is explained to volunteers it eliminates people that are not serious or trying to work off court assigned community service.We do not accept court appointed community service hours in the building if the charge is alcohol or drug related.

[Sally 0]

We have a very successful youth volunteer program. Approximately 75 teenagers ages 12-16 years old volunteer at our home during the summer. (275 residents) The program is run by a coordinator that works full time only during the summer. Usually we employ a college student, but our last one graduated & is now teaching, so she still can work with us in the summer! The program has evolved over a period of several years - learning years for us.

The Youth Corps Coordinator is responsible for recruitment, training, assignments, discipline - and fills in in the activity department as needed.

We do have a set of rules we expect the volunteers to adhere to. Discipline can and may include expulsion from the program.

All volunteers regardless of age must complete a mandatory training with the coordinator and then further training "on the job". They are also required to follow facility policies (such as break times, immunizations, cell phones, etc)

Yes, we have had several whose mothers made them come. (We can tell almost immediately who those kids are)

At one time employee parents treated us as babysitters - we have been firm with our policies and that has faded.

Currently, I have 3 part time employees - all 3 were former youth corps volunteers. Several others have gone on to nursing careers within the home. It's a great way for them to get their foot in the door and a great way for us to screen potential employees.

This program would not be as successful without the full time coordinator. We are very fortunate to have the support of the administration in this.

[themusiclady 1]

The best places I go to in Houston all have open access to children ( and pets! ) and encourage staff to bring them along.

 

Though they can be problematic, it's seen as part of normality which is important for quality of life.

 

I love it when there are children around, the residents get such joy from them it's worth any inconvenience...and it's probably very good for the children too!

[heavenstar 0]

I always have a couple of kids working on their bar/bat mitzvah here during the summer. That would make them about 12yrs old. I never have a problem with them. The parent drops them off for their scheduled time and picks them up later.

Some of the projects they have done is computer classes-- one on one in our computer center. This really teaches them patience!

Skits -- directing and building props

Working in the garden-- a resident is assigned to them

Buildng a butterfly garden (did have parent's supervision!)

parties, crafts, scrapbooking, games and lifestories, wii bowling

 

They are usually one at a time, so I am close by and check on them frequently. I don't see it as a babysitting service, I see it as them learning important skills for life..... and even if the parent is using it as a babysitting---it is still an opportunity for me to teach the importance of learning from elders, how to talk to them, and how to value them!

 

It would not be possible for me to do this with more than a couple of kids at a time without some type of adult supervision-- i like working with seniors, not kids! lol

[lesternm1130 0]

In the facility where I used to work, I made it a point that youth volunteers were at least 16 years old. I had orientations where I discussed with them the Do's and Dont's, the confidentiality of the Residents, the handwashing, etc. One time a nurse brought her 8 year old child on her 3-11 shift, the girl made a mess of my arts and crafts section! I talked to the nurse the following day and told her that such was not proper. My staff ended up baby sitting for her and cleaning after her child's mess. After our talk, the nurse made it a point to clean after her child if the girl needed to be with her at work. Oh and yes don't forget about the PPD and TB shots, very important, plus of course the parent's consent.

 

Especially during the summer months when school is out, a lot of staff bring their children to work and expect them to "help out" with activity. I look at it as a free babysitting service. Last year I posted a notice on each nurses station that youth volunteers must be at least 16 years old and they must attend orientation before starting. They also must have updated PPD shots and the TB shot in order to volunteer. This seemed to stop the free babay sitting service dead in it's tracks. But it makes me wonder how do other facilities handle youth volunteers?

[sposu08 0]

I love to have the children in the facility. The residents love it and it is nice for them to be able to interact with someone other than the staff. We have a place called the great room within our facility and we will set it up so that the kids can watch movies down there with the residents. They also can play games with the residents and then we have an area right outside there where they can do sidewalk chalk. The staff knows up front that I am not a babysitter and they check in on their kids at their breaks and if there are any issues they take care of them. I have not had any problems.

 

Stephanie