Professional Boundaries

Pestalozzi International Village Trust

Thursday February 12th 2015

Who are these women?

And this man?

Positions of Trust

In line with the England and Wales Sexual Offences Act 2003:

Abusing a position of trust is a criminal offence and includes all sexual activity with 16 & 17 year olds, above the age of consent – and covers inciting/encouraging a young person to engage in, watch or take part in any sexual activity

Discussion: Consider how to respond when you know that a student is having sexual relations with another young person, over the age of consent

Space Invader?

Personal Space

Ethics: More Than A Code

Personal Space & Touch

Use of language / cursing / nicknames

Gift-giving / loans/ favours

Favouritism & singling-out

Self-disclosure & over sharing

Collusion and ‘blind eye’ behaviour

Social contact and online relationships

Loco Parentis role & responsibilities

3 Types of Worker

A – the ‘laissez faire’ worker

Discuss in your group

What qualities & behaviours might you see?

What are the benefits of this approach?

What are the challenges / difficulties?

3 Types of Worker

B – the ‘overly strict’ worker

Discuss in your group

What qualities & behaviours might you see?

What are the benefits of this approach?

What are the challenges / difficulties?

3 Types of Worker

C – the ‘balanced’ worker

Discuss in your group

What qualities & behaviours might you see?

What are the benefits of this approach?

What are the challenges / difficulties?

9 Boundaries: Lori Price Aultman (et al) 2009

Curricular (moral, spiritual, political, religious issues)

Emotional (provocative, loaded, over-exposure)

Relationship (role, friendships, romance, physical)

Power (rewards & sanctions, authority, favours)

Institutional (rules, ‘blind eye’, code of conduct)

Financial (gifts, services, loans, payments)

Communication (sharing, personal info, body language,

Temporal (time spent with individuals)

Expertise (appropriate to role, training, JDs)

Scenarios

Different scenarios to discuss, linked to these nine boundaries

Please give everyone time to consider any issues/actions and then agree on the best protocol for handling each situation

Boundaries: Questions to ask

Who does this benefit? (a student or you)

Why am I doing it? (is there a positive reason)

How much is enough? (i.e. info sharing – to achieve a learning outcome)

How might this be perceived?

Does it feel right? Am I the right person?

Is this offered equally to everyone?

Should I check this with a manager first?

TOP TIPS: know your limits hand-out

Source: Bryn Melyn

This article is published in the 19 November 2009 edition of Community Care under the headline “Boundaries – not barriers”

Social Media

Social Media

Consider:

1) How do you use social media in your personal life

2) How do you use it in your work

3) How do you use it with students

4) How do the students use it with each other

5) What are the benefits and the risks?

Conclusion

Q&A