Questions you might ask a group to consider:
- Who qualifies as a “visitor” in our setting (e.g., family members, donors, contractors, community members, spectators, parishioners)?
- What level of access should visitors have to participants or program spaces?
- Should visitors be supervised at all times? If not, what exceptions would we allow, and under what conditions?
- Are there specific spaces or times where no visitors should be allowed (e.g., restrooms, residential areas, private sessions)?
- What kind of sign-in, identification, or approval process should visitors go through?
- How should staff respond if they see an unaccompanied or unidentified visitor?
- How do we ensure visitors, especially family or friends, don’t unintentionally violate boundaries or create risk?
- What role should staff play in monitoring interactions between visitors and participants?
- Should there be different protocols for scheduled vs. unscheduled visitors?
- How do we train staff to enforce visitor policies respectfully but firmly?
Discussion items
These are items you might use to guide a discussion around visitors relating to behavior requirements in youth or vulnerable adult-serving organizations:
All visitors must be signed in, identified, and approved by authorized personnel before entering participant spaces. Staff are responsible for ensuring that no individual bypasses this process under any circumstances.
We recognize that many visitors come with good intentions—family, community partners, and supporters often want to observe or help. Their presence is welcome when it is planned, supervised, and consistent with safety protocols.
Visitors must remain in designated areas and may not move unaccompanied through the facility. Staff must escort or visibly monitor them at all times while in participant-accessible spaces.
We understand that some programs rely on frequent, informal visitor involvement. Even in these cases, a consistent check-in process and expectations around boundaries must be in place.
No visitor may be alone with a child or vulnerable adult at any time. One-to-one contact, even briefly or with permission, is not permitted unless the visitor is also a vetted and trained staff member under appropriate supervision.
We know some visitors are deeply trusted, such as parents, long-time supporters, or partner agency staff. However, familiarity cannot substitute for process. All must follow the same rules to maintain trust and fairness.
If an unaccompanied or unknown visitor is observed, staff must intervene immediately. Approach calmly, confirm their purpose, and notify leadership as needed.
Visitor behavior must align with all organizational standards—no photography, touching, or direct intervention with participants unless explicitly authorized. Staff must monitor and redirect as necessary, without hesitation.
We encourage transparency and partnership with families and communities. Our visitor policy is not about exclusion—it’s about shared responsibility for safety and clarity of roles.
When in doubt, treat any adult you don’t recognize as a visitor, and follow protocol. Over-communicating is always safer than making assumptions.