<HTML>Dear Razelle
The issue you raise is one of Boundaries which we, at the Association for
Jewish Youth in the UK, have been addressing for many years. Whilst there
may be differences in legislation which apply (in the UK we have the
Children Act), the basic principles should be the same. However in a more
litigious society, more care may need to be observed. Fundamentally, any
agency for whom you work should have a clear policy on boundaries which
you should ask to see and you should clarify any points of ambiguity.
The basic principle we follow (which is in UK legislation) is that the
welfare of the child is always paramount. Thus, to not comfort a child who
is upset would be seen as wrong. However, one must ensure that such
behaviour could not be misconstrued by the child or any onlooker.
The example of a teacher standing back whilst two students fought is a
difficult one. Using the principle above, the teacher should attempt to
stop the fighting using as little force as possible but as much as
necessary. Where the teacher does not feel capable of breaking up a fight,
they should immediately seek help from colleagues.
The following points are taken from one of our seminars on "Boundaries".
1. The Welfare of the child is always paramount, and your practice should
always have that as a basis.
2. POLICY OF ORGANISATION - Your organisation should have a clear policy
which sets out the boundaries expected. It may be written or unwritten. If
you do not know what it is, or if it exists, find out. If it does not
exist, your management group/employer should create one.
3. SEXUAL RELATIONS - Regardless of age, there should never be a sexual
relationship, or any behaviour with sexual connotations, between a leader
and a young person.
4. APPROPRIATE BEHAVIOUR - This is behaviour which one would reasonably
expect others to be comfortable with. However, any behaviour is not
acceptable where it makes young people uncomfortable. Areas of behaviour
which are inappropriate include teasing, hitting and pushing, shouting and
invading space.
Also, one must be aware that some young people may be comfortable with
inappropriate behaviour. This does not make such behaviour acceptable.
I hope that this is some help and wish you the best of luck in your career.
Jonny Wineberg
AJY Northern Officer. mailto:north.ajy@anjy.org
ANJY Co-ordinator. mailto:jonny@anjy.org
[
www.anjy.org<];
