1. Responding to risks and potential hazards- students, teachers, SLSOs and other staff It is important to be aware of potential hazards and risks to students, yourself, teachers and other staff in a school. To ensure the safety of all you need to be aware of any risks and the policies and procedures of the school you are in which you need to follow. Read the questions and collect the relevant policies for this reflection journal.
a) List 5 situations in the class or school where behaviours of a student might pose a threat or risk to themselves, other student/s, teachers, the support team and yourself. In a school setting, potential hazards could include physical fights between students, bullying, students running in the hallways, misuse of school equipment, and students with severe allergies. Policies that guide student wellbeing and safety could include a school's anti-bullying policy and health and safety policy.
b) List relevant policies that guide student wellbeing, safety and responding to risk that you will need to follow. Name at least 2.
c) Describe the procedures you would need to follow in any event where students or staff are at risk of physical or emotional danger. Ask your workplace supervisor/teacher if there are any preventative strategies you need to use when working with individual students within the class. To protect the confidentiality and privacy of all students you should not include names of specific students or staff. Describe some of the preventative strategies you have been advised to use.
d) According to the policies in the school, who would you seek support from or report to regarding behaviours which may pose a threat or risk to student emotional, wellbeing for teachers, SLSOs or other team members?
e) Who could you contact if you needed support for your own emotional well -being and safety? List 4 people or groups.
f) Reflect on your role as an SLSO in responding to these types of risks.