Supervision
Some level of supervision when engaging with youth is always recommended. Factors such as youth age and type of activity will impact the levels of supervision needed.
Very Low Risk Exposure
Supervision by Parent/Guardian or custodial caregiver who is providing active supervision throughout
Examples:
- School visits where parents or guardians and/or teachers accompany and actively supervise
Low Risk Exposure
Supervision by USU Staff with adequate adult-youth ratios, based on youth age
Examples:
- Increased number of adults with younger ages
- See ACA group supervision ration recommendations
Moderate Risk Exposure
Supervision by volunteers or short-term staff
Examples:
- Leaving a group with a guest presenter
- Campus visits where parents or guardians and/or teachers accompany but do not actively supervise
High Risk Exposure
Older youth allowed to independently come and go to and from program
Examples:
- Youth sign themselves in/out, or allowed to go off campus at lunchtime
Very High Risk Exposure
No supervision provided during part or all of a program
Examples:
- Youth left unsupervised during lunch or “free time”
- Adults leave a classroom unattended
- Community event with no supervision
Tips for reducing risk for Supervision
- Communicate clearly who is responsible for supervision for any events- USU Staff? Parents/caregivers? Third party? Also ensure mutual understanding between all adults involved.
- If there is an option to require attendance by parents, guardians or other custodial caregivers such as teachers, this will reduce your supervisory responsibility. It is important that caregivers understand, though, that they are always responsible for supervision of their children and that they should not wander away from the event.
- Plan for adequate supervision, by adding a ‘floating’ or ‘roving’ covered program employees to fill in any gaps due to breaks absences, and help with transitions.
- Limit independent free time for older youth (aged 16-18). Have older youth sign in and out when they leave the program premises. Be sure you have contact information for them (e.g., cell phone number). Include guidelines for acceptable use of free time, such as limits to how far they can go or what they should not do.
- Youth under age 16 should not be left unsupervised for any period of time while participating in your program. If they are given free choice time, ensure there are staff members on duty to supervise any areas where youth are allowed to hang out.