	Administrative and Service Environment

Introduction

Administration and Management

Service Delivery Administration Standards

Service Standards

PA-ASE 6: Safety and Security*

The agency ensures the safety of its premises, personnel, service recipients, and visitors.

Note: Please see Checklist: Facility Observation in the Tools Index for additional assistance with this standard.

PA-ASE 6.01

The agency assesses its safety and security needs and:

takes appropriate measures to protect the safety of all persons who are in its facilities or on its grounds;
develops safety and communication protocols for staff that work off-site;
trains staff on potential risks they may encounter on-site, in the community, or in clients’ homes;
trains staff on self-protection techniques, as necessary; and
has security systems to deter facility break-ins.

Interpretation: Such measures can include bars on windows and alarm systems, and written policies prohibiting the possession of weapons on the facilities premises except by qualified security and law enforcement personnel. Staff safety measures should include protocols for staff that work off-site, and methods for maintaining contact with them. Working “off-site” is also commonly known as working “in the field.” Off-site workers may also be telecommuters. Additionally, the standard requires the organization to have a readily accessible telephone in each major service area.

PA-ASE 6.02

Fire drills are conducted according to legal requirements, and held at least:

during periods of both activity and rest, as appropriate to the program or service;
once a quarter for every shift in residential or daytime group care settings; and/or
annually for other services and at administrative offices.

PA-ASE 6.03

An agency that transports service recipients in its vehicles or permits transportation in vehicles that belong to the agency’s personnel, volunteers, or contractors requires:

the use of age-appropriate passenger restraint systems;
adequate passenger supervision, as mandated by statute or regulation;
proper maintenance of agency vehicles;
current registration and inspection of vehicles;
annual validation of licenses and driving records; and
proper insurance for vehicles and passengers.

NA The agency does not transport service recipients in vehicles owned by the agency, its personnel, volunteers, or contractors.

PA-ASE 6.04

An agency that provides services for perpetrators and victims of violent crimes in the same facility or grounds, monitors and manages all interactions between such populations to ensure psychological and physical safety.

NA The agency does not provide services for perpetrators and victims of violent crimes in the same facility.

PA-ASE 6.05

When undertaking building construction, demolition, or renovation, proper controls, as required, reduce risk and minimize impact on the environment, service recipients, and staff.

Update: Added NA - 06/01/10

Added NA

NA The agency has not undergone any building construction, demolition, or renovation.

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	PURPOSE: The agency’s administrative and service environments are respectful, caring, safe, and accessible, and contribute to agency productivity and effective service delivery.

RELATED FILES


	SERVICE One or more organization-operated programs or activities that have a common general objective and deploy the organization's material and human resources in a planned and systematic manner. An organization that publicly promotes or identifies itself in writing as offering a service, is licensed to deliver a service, assigns personnel and/or space to a service, or allocates financial resources to a service is considered to offer that service.


	PERSONNEL The body of employees and/or volunteers that carries out the organization's tasks under the organization's administration and/or supervision. This definition does not include foster parents who are specifically referenced in relevant standards


	SERVICE RECIPIENT The individuals, groups, organizations, or communities that use, receive, or benefit from programs and services. Service recipients can include consumers, patients, family members, legal guardians, advocates, public/private organizations, employers, and purchasers. All are regarded as significant stakeholders served in a variety of agencies and practice settings.


	PROTOCOLS Instruments and procedures used to accomplish a particular goal, activity, or purpose.


	COMMUNITY A specific group of people living in the same locality and who may share a common culture, values, and norms. Communities can also be defined by race, religion, ethnicity, age, occupation, political status, tribal affiliation, interest in particular problems or outcomes, or other common bonds. The term "community" encompasses worksites, schools, tribes, residential neighborhoods, business districts, recreational areas, and health and human service sites.


	VOLUNTEER An individual who performs services for an organization for civic, charitable, or humanitarian reasons, without promise, expectation, or receipt of compensation for services rendered. Such service must be offered freely and without pressure or coercion, direct or implied, from an employer. If the individual is otherwise employed by the same employer for which s/he volunteers, the individual cannot volunteer to perform the same type of services that s/he is paid to perform as an employee.


	SUPERVISION Assumption of responsibility for directly overseeing and evaluating the work or work products of personnel within an organization. Also includes inspecting the act or process of accomplishing a function or activity.


	CLIENT See service recipient.