HOME SAFETY CHECKLIST (FOSTER CARE, KINSHIP & ADOPTIVE APPLICANTS IN ONTARIO)

Transcription

1 Resource Name: HOME SAFETY CHECKLIST (FOSTER CARE, KINSHIP & ADOPTIVE APPLICANTS IN ONTARIO) Resource Number: Initial Approval Probationary Review Annual Review Change of Address GUIDELINES TO CHILDREN S AID SOCIETIES/ADOPTION PRACTITIONERS AND PRIVATE FOSTER/ADOPTION AGENCIES IN COMPLETING THIS FORM: It is intended that the adoption practitioner/resource worker review this form with foster/adoptive applicant(s) during the initial stages of the homestudy assessment. The purpose is two-fold: 1) to enable, to the extent possible, that a child be placed in a safe environment; and 2) to raise awareness and educate applicant(s) about safety issues when a child is living in the home. Adoption practitioners and foster care workers must complete the safety assessment as part of the homestudy process with a follow up safety review if there were areas of: i) non compliance; and/or ii) to establish home as placement ready after designation of recommended or approved Each children s aid society, private practitioner or country of origin may have safety requirements not stated on the forms. Particular characteristics of the child will also affect safety expectations, for example families for older children will not need to with crib standards or car seats. Each agency and/or practitioner may choose to add areas at the end of each section to with specific policies and procedures regarding required practice. The SAFE homestudy requires an assessment of the applicant s Physical/Social Environment and the review of this document will assist in completing this section of the homestudy. Cleanliness/Orderliness/Maintenance strength is defined in that the home exterior and property are well kept, home interior is clean and comfortable, home reflects consistent care and attention Safety strength is defined as no safety issues notes on agency s safety checklist, applicants are safety conscious and knowledgeable about child safety Furnishings strength is defined as home adequately furnished, clean, sturdy and functional furniture, functional and reliable appliances, adequate supply of house ware Play area/equipment/clothing strength is defined as adequate proper clothing, toys and equipment are age appropriate and in good condition, adequate indoor and outdoor play area Household pets strength is defined as pets in the home is/are treated well by family members, family does a good job providing the accommodations, diet, grooming and veterinary needs of their pets, pet is trained and comfortable with children NOTE: WITH REGARD TO RURAL, REMOTE OR FAR NORTHERN COMMUNITIES Some of the safety expectations on this checklist may not be applicable in rural, remote or far northern communities. Foster care workers and adoption practitioners should use judgment and common sense when faced with these situations. Alternate safety measures may be applicable in some cases, for example, specific cultural practices. These will need to be identified and included in each applicable section of the home safety checklist and in section (i) Non-compliance. EXAMPLES OF SOME OF THE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS THAT MAY NOT APPLY INCLUDE: Telephone in the home (telephone lines may not exist) Fire Extinguishers and Carbon Monoxide Detectors (may not be available for purchase) Fire Departments (may not exist) Water inspection (may not have access to testing) 1

2 Home Safety Checklist 1. Household Requirements: 1. Designated spaces for informal living, dining, food preparation and storage; separate rooms for sleeping and bathing. 2. Stable supply of heat provided and maintained to rooms being occupied. 3. Garbage, refuse and other wastes disposed of in a way that does not constitute a health hazard. 4. Mirrors and other wall attachments, large pieces of furniture (i.e., dressers, television sets) are fixed securely to prevent toppling over. 5. Maximum temperature of hot water in bathroom 49 degrees Celsius or less. 6. Steps or railings sturdy, appropriately spaced and in good repair. 7. Electrical outlets covered and not overloaded. 8. Electrical appliances and cords out of young children s reach. 9. Exits and stairways gated or otherwise secured for infants and young children. 10. Rugs and other moveable floor coverings safely secured. 11. Knives, scissors and other sharp instruments kept out of the reach of young children. 12. Windows, screens and balcony doors in high-rise apartment buildings secured by safety catches. 13. Cords on blinds and drapes constructed without loops and kept out of the reach of young children. 14. Unused refrigerators/freezers/stoves stored with doors removed. 15. Grounds are well maintained and free of hazards. 16. Outdoor playground equipment is in good repair. 17. Recreational areas within walking distance well maintained and free of hazards. 18. Infant equipment, e.g. play pens, high chairs, etc 2. Means of Communication: 1. Telephone access available. 2. List of emergency telephone numbers readily accessible. 2

3 3. Fire Safety 1. Smoke Detector(s) in working order located between bedrooms and every level of the home. 2. Written Fire Evacuation Plan established and regularly reviewed with all family members. 3. Flashlight(s) in working order; easily accessible in emergency. 4. Fire extinguisher(s) in working order; not less than 2½ pounds; for Class B and C fires. 5. Carbon Monoxide detector(s) located on all levels of home. 6. Exits and hallways well lit and uncluttered. 7. Fireplace/woodstoves installed as per specification of the local fire department. 8. Fireplace screens or front guards in use; combustible deposits removed regularly. 9. Matches and lighters are inaccessible to children. 10. Home insurance: Provider: Coverage: Policy# 4. Sleeping Arrangements: 1. Infant cribs in compliance with government safety standards (Cribs and Cradles Regulations, Hazardous Products Act) and the 2007 Report of the Paediatric Death Review Committee and Deaths Under Five Committee Office of the Chief Coroner recommendations that include a proper fitting mattress, no bumper pads, pillows or toys, small blanket tucked in. 2. Review information on safe sleeping for infants (material provided). 3. Children age 6 and under will not use the upper bed of bunk beds (material provided). 4. Water beds will not be used for children under the age of 3. 3

4 5. Each child has a bed with a clean mattress that is suitable for the age of the child and with bedding that is appropriate to the weather and climate allowing for variations according to local cultural traditions (e.g. bedrolls). 6. Bedrooms occupied by children do not have external door locks, locks from inside are made inoperable. 7. Bedrooms occupied by children have a window. 8. Clothing storage space available for child s personal belongings. 9. No bedroom is in a building detached from the home, an unfinished attic or unfinished basement, or a stairway hall. 10. A child over 6 years of age will not share a bedroom with a child of the opposite sex. The following is not CAST policy: (unless in the assessment of the worker/ practitioner and caregiver/parent, this arrangement would reduce anxiety and normalize the experience during the initial stages of placement.) 11. The child will not share a bedroom with an adult couple or adult of the opposite sex unless the child is ill, an infant/young child (under the age of 2 years), or has needs that requires the child to be placed in the same room. 12. Crib supplied by CAST and meets CSA standards. Manufacture Date: Manufacture Date: Manufacture Date: 13. Car seats / booster seats meet CSA standards: 5. Firearms: 1. All guns to be stored unloaded and secured with a trigger lock, in a locked container or room, or by disabling the firearm. 2. All other firearms for example, air rifles, bows and hunting sling shots are made inoperable when not in use and are stored in locked cabinets, inaccessible to children. 3. Ammunition stored separately from firearms in containers in locked cupboards. 4. All adults over the age of 18 years using firearms have a Firearms License. 5. Firearms agreement. 6. Trigger locks supplied. 4

5 6. Medicines and Hazardous Substances: 1. Medications and other potentially hazardous pharmaceutical substances stored in locked cupboard inaccessible to children. 2. Other potentially hazardous household substances (e.g. bleach, cleaning fluids, pesticides) are inaccessible to children. 3. Alcohol locked away from children. 4. First Aid Kit. 7. Specific Safety Precautions: 1. Swimming pools on property are secured with a locked gate and meet identified jurisdictional by-laws. 2. Barriers in place to restrict access to ponds on the property. 3. Precautions in place to protect children from second-hand smoke. 4. Confidential matters are kept in a locked container. 5. Swimming pool and/or hot tub use will be/is supervised by an adult. 6. Current hot tub maintenance is available. 7. Hot tub has a cover which is in place and locked when tub is not in use. 8. Pets: 1. Pets have been inoculated and shots are up-to-date 2. Pet is permitted in Municipality and/or Province (i.e., Pit Bull By-Law). 3. Potentially dangerous situations involving animals discussed and understood. 5

6 # 9. Automobile Safety: Comply 1. Valid Driver s License for each person driving children. Please explain when using NA 2. Vehicle is equipped with child safety seats for infants/young children 3. Vehicle is equipped with booster seats for older children, less than 8 years of age or weighing less than 80 lbs. 4. Vehicle is equipped with safety seat belts for each person. Car Insurance Provider: Amounts: Policy #: Water Source: Municipal Water Well: 10. Educational Undertaking: Date of Last Test: Results: I/We undertake to inform and instruct a child(ren) about: Potential danger of certain types of farm equipment structures and livestock (where applicable). Water safety and potential dangers of specific water hazards i.e. wells, water troughs, lakes, rivers, reservoirs, culverts, tubs, ponds, swimming pools, Jacuzzi tubs, etc. Potentially dangerous situations involving family animals. Dangerous internet sites and ensure protective screening programs are in place so that Internet adult sites are inaccessible to children. Ensure adult videos, and other such adult materials are as inaccessible to children as possible. Fire Evacuation Drill (with designated outdoor meeting area) practices with all family members on a quarterly (every 3 month) basis. Potentially dangerous house plants, some for example are: Poinsettia Mistletoe Dieffenbachia Oleander Arnica Elephant s Ears Rosary Pea Castor Bean Narcissus (bulbs) Hyacinth (bulbs) 6

7 Philodendron Daffodil (bulbs) Calla Lily 12. The following policy documents were reviewed and material provided. Comply To be reviewed annually* 1. Confidentiality * 2. Discipline policy * 3. Emergency procedures * 4. Reporting of serious occurrences * 5. Foster care complaint procedures * 6. Investigations/complaints in foster homes * 7. Foster care agency agreements * 8. Foster Parent Daycare 9. Per diem rate and allowances 10. Medical/dental clinic 11. Foster Parent working outside the home 12. Foster parent expense sheet 13. Foster parent manual 14. Children s rights booklet * 15. Foster Parent Association 16. Direct Deposit Service 17. Fire Safety * 18. Smoking policy * 19. Food and nutrition * 20. Cultural Competency * 21. Medication Policy * Non-Compliance Comment on areas where applicant(s) are unable to. Identify plan for alternate safety measure or waiver of compliance, with reasons. Area of Non-Compliance Plan for Compliance or Alternate Safety Measure or Waiver Date of Compliance 7

8 Foster Parent(s) Address: I/We certify that the information provided in this checklist is accurate to the best of my/our knowledge and belief. Applicant 1/Foster Parent 1: Applicant 2/Foster Parent 2: (Signature) (Signature) I have reviewed this document with the applicants/foster parents. Foster Care Worker/Adoption Practitioner: (Signature) Date Reviewed: 8