Others in the Workplace

Policy

This policy should be read in conjunction with the Health and Safety at Work Act: A Practical Guide for Boards of Trustees and Officers which clearly outlines Health and Safety responsibilities.

Rationale

For the safety of visitors, contractors, and the school’s students and workers, the school must be able to identify who is on site. The Principal must be informed of any interviews of students by visitors from outside agencies.

Purpose:

1. To identify all visitors, contractors, and external service providers on the school site.

2. To ensure administration staff are aware of who is on site throughout the day for security and emergency purposes.

3. To provide clear guidelines for identifying, supervising, and authorising visitors.

Process:

1. Signs requesting visitors report to the school office are posted around the school and the administration block is clearly marked.

2. On arrival, visitors (including contractors or service providers) are requested to sign in with the date and time of their arrival.

3. Any visitor wishing to speak with a student must obtain permission from the Principal or a delegated person.

4. Administration staff will locate the appropriate person to meet with the visitor, particularly if the visitor is to access areas beyond public or office spaces, and escort them around the school.

5. School staff are expected to politely challenge any person they see on site who has not reported to the office, and ensure their presence is understood.

6. The Principal must approve the attendance of any non-staff person, including contractors and external providers, with the exception of approved parent helpers who have completed required induction or safety briefing.

7. Those meeting with staff or students, or going to other parts of the school site, must sign in. Persons unknown to the school must present recognised photo identification (Driver’s Licence, Passport, staff/security ID from an agency, or other formal photo ID).

8. Visitors must also sign out on departure so that records reflect who is on site at all times.

Review:

This procedure shall be reviewed every three years, or sooner if relevant legislation changes, site conditions change, or safety incidents suggest need for review.