Q: A parent who has supported our youth club for many years has applied for a part-time position. But a Criminal Records Bureau check has revealed a conviction from their teenage years. Should I employ them?
It really depends on how grisly the skeleton is. Most teenage misdemeanours are just that but, if you suspect this is something other than a one-off incident or one that might affect their ability to work safely with young people, then you need to consider it carefully. For example, I would think twice about employing someone who had committed a string of motoring offences if they were required to drive a minibus.
My other worry is that they didn't let you know that this could come up.
A caring parent would want to know that rigorous checks and safeguarding were priorities in the club, so don't hesitate in talking it through with the individual who has applied for the post. If you decide they are not right for the club, stick to your values.
Advice on conviction interpretation, recruitment and risk assessment is available by emailing info@disclosures.co.uk, calling 0871 8727 800 or visiting www.disclosures.co.uk.
Q: I have recently started work with young lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people and was shown a document referring to a group supporting "mesmen". What does it mean?
Mesmen refers to the professional acronym MSM, which is an abbreviation of the phrase "men who have sex with men". There are a few groups that have used the name for their projects.
It is important to understand relevant language and terminology if you are to relate well to the young people you are working with. Recent fieldwork by London Youth found that many young people are curious about aspects of gender, sexuality, identity and race, but rarely ask questions because they fear being labelled as prejudiced in some way.
Stonewall Cymru has a dictionary of equality language online or look out for The Brand Spanking New LGBT Dictionary at www.lgbtyouth.org.uk.
Q: A talented young athlete broke an ankle while on a youth club visit to the local ice rink. His parents are now threatening to sue. How should I respond? Assuming there was no negligence, enter into a frank dialogue with the parents. Show them your safeguarding policies and risk assessments, and relate them to the trip. If you can show everything was planned and organised professionally, and that the broken ankle was accidental, then you need not worry should they decide to sue.
Point out that the work you have been doing with their child has been all about encouraging them to develop their confidence and feel empowered to reach their goals, you might want to research other options open to them once the ankle has healed.
But if your policies were not up to scratch, see this as a wake-up call to sort them out. Litigation is expensive financially and professionally.
- Tracie Trimmer-Platman is a trained counsellor and director of programmes at London Youth. Email your workplace dilemmas to tracie.trimmer@londonyouth.org.uk
GET WITH IT
We've had the iMac, iPod and now coming to these shores soon will be the iPhone.
No-one is quite sure when the handset will arrive in the UK, but Apple expects the gadget to go on sale some time in the autumn. The phone offers users the chance to download music and videos, access the internet, send emails and make calls. It features a 3.5-inch screen for viewing video content and a two-megapixel camera. There is also a multi-touch screen display that allows users to control the phone with just a tap, flick or pinch of their fingers.
But start saving now as prices for the 4GB model are expected to start at about £300.
TALKING POINT - PROTESTS
Last month climate change demonstrators were arrested after blockading the offices of the airport operator responsible for Heathrow. Start a debate with your youth group about the right and wrong ways to protest
Up to 1,400 demonstrators attended a climate camp near Heathrow last month to protest at plans to expand the airport. They believe an additional runway is unnecessary and will harm the environment.
Earlier in August, airport operator BAA had secured an injunction banning certain protestors from Heathrow during the week.
Discuss whether young people believe activists should be free to protest when and where they want.
Towards the end of the demonstration, protestors blockaded the head office of BAA. Do young people feel it's fair the workforce is directly affected?
The protest at Heathrow was largely peaceful but there were still arrests. At times, police are said to have outweighed the demonstrators. Do young people think this a good use of police time? Should companies have to pay to protect their property and employees instead?
The UK airport industry argues it is only responsible for a small percentage of carbon emissions. Discuss which other industries emit high levels of carbon dioxide. Do young people think the aviation industry in unfairly targeted because it makes big profits?
