“SAFE
SANCTUARIES”
Policies and
Procedures
(Approved by
Administrative Board on June 13, 2006)
Updated June 16, 2006
Table of
Contents
- REQUIREMENTS FOR STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS
- BASIC PROCEDURES FOR SAFE MINISTRY WITH CHILDREN AND
YOUTH
- PROCEDURE FOR REPORTING A SUSPECTED INCIDENT OF CHILD
ABUSE
- PARTICIPATION COVENANT FOR ALL WORKERS (PAID STAFF AND
VOLUNTYEERS) WITH CHILDREN/YOUTH
“At
that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, ‘Who is the greatest in the
“If any of you put a stumbling block
before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you
if a great millstone were fastened around your neck and you were drowned in the
depth of the sea.” (Matt 18:5-6)
Also in scripture, when the disciples
tried to keep children away from Jesus, he instructed them to let them
come. Jesus welcomed and included
children and lifted them up as examples to the faithful. He warned against putting anything in their
path that would cause them to stumble.
The church continues to welcome
children and youth, knowing that for some it may be the only place where they
will experience God’s unconditional love and grace. As Christians, we take our responsibilities
to children and youth very seriously.
When we neglect to take adequate precautions to protect them from abuse
while in our care, we fail in our responsibilities as Christians. We are committed to providing as safe and
secure an environment as possible for all children and youth who participate in
the ministries and activities sponsored by our church.
Therefore, this “Safe Sanctuaries” policy describes the minimum
guidelines to provide a safe, secure environment for ministry to all God’s
people, especially children and youth.
All adults
paid staff and volunteers involved in ministry to children and youth will be
screened. Such screening procedures will
include:
The
responsibility for this screening process (items 1 and 2 above) is as follows:
Each of
the following procedures is important and required in this congregation’s
comprehensive prevention strategy.
Wherever the term “parent” appears it extends to include legal guardians
Minimum supervisory standards require that no matter the
size of the group, there will always be at least two adults present at all
times during any church-sponsored program, event or ministry involving children
or youth. This may include the presence
of an adult “roamer” who moves in and out of rooms; however at least one adult
must have completed training in Safe Sanctuary policies and procedures. We understand that there may be rare
emergency situations when KIUMC staff will need to provide one on one care;
however at no time under normal circumstances will an adult be with a child in
an isolated or closed situation.
All in ministry with children or youth (whether paid staff,
volunteers or clergy) are required to attend an annual orientation which will
include:
No worker under the age of 18 will have sole responsibility
for any children, except when the worker is in the immediate family of the
child.
No person involved in children or
youth activities shall supervise the group unless he/she is at least 5 years
older than the children or youth with whom he/she is working.
Adults must be at
least 25 years of age to drive with children or youth as passengers to
church-sponsored events or activities.
Each room set aside
for children or youth ministries will have a door with a window in it or a half
door for visibility
At any counseling sessions with children or youth, the door
of the room used must remain open for the entire session. Ideally, the session will be conducted at a
time when others are nearby.
A basic rule for ministry with children and youth is to
always give the parents adequate advance notice and full information regarding
a special event in which their child will be participating. Parents must give written permission for
their child’s participation prior to the special event.
A completed registration is required for children and youth
to participate in church sponsored activities or ministries. This registration form must minimally include
child’s name and birth date, parent’s name, address, phone numbers, any special
medical needs and emergency contact information. In addition, ministries to younger children
(infant, preschool and early elementary aged) have special procedures for appropriate
drop off/pick up of children during programs.
Volunteer and staff members should not be intentionally
isolated with a child in a bathroom. If
a child is escorted to the bathroom or needs personal assistance, a door must
remain open at all times. Other than
parents and other family members, only screened adult volunteer and staff
workers may change a child’s diaper.
Ministries with children and youth are carried out in an
endless variety of settings and locations.
Some include classrooms, church sanctuaries, fellowship halls, camp
cabins, playgrounds, mission trips, retreat centers, buses, parks and
homes. Planning for appropriate
settings, transportation and supervision needs, and safe operation of equipment
is required of ministry leaders. In all
settings Safe Sanctuaries policies and procedures are followed.
Staff and volunteers always utilize appropriate discipline
measures which focus on the inappropriate behavior but not the child. Use of verbal direction or redirection of
activity is appropriate. If disruptive
behavior continues, the child’s parent will be located and told of the behavior
and asked to remove the child from the activity. Physical punishment or verbal abuse will
never be used at any time. We are
committed to working with children to determine what they need in order to
fully participate, but not to the detriment of other children in the program.
a.
Any
physical contact between a volunteer or staff worker and a child that provides,
or is intended to provide, any form of sexual gratification is strictly
prohibited.
b.
Limited
physical contact, such as a pat on the back or on the head or a handshake or
“high five,” is permissible. Hugs are
permissible within the sight of others.
The volunteer and staff workers must avoid any prolonged hugs and must
stop a hug immediately upon the request of the child or parent.
c.
Volunteers
and employees shall not abuse children including but not limited to:
(i)
Physical
abuse – e.g. strike, spank, shake, slap;
(ii)
Verbal/mental
abuse – e.g. humiliate, degrade, threaten, frighten, or the use of a loud/angry
voice;
(iii)
Sexual
abuse of any kind, including inappropriate touching and exposure.
I.
Opening
Worship
A. Prayer of Invocation
B. Scripture readings
i.
Exodus
22: 21-23
ii.
Matthew
19: 14
iii.
Matthew
18 5-6
C.
Brief
Devotion
II.
Introductory
Information
A. Current Occurrences – start with
introducing current events from our area
B. Current Statistics – Quote
statistical information – write on board or flip chart
C. Reasons to Implement a Child Abuse
Prevention Strategy
i.
Our
church is a community of faith that can offer a safe haven and sanctuary where
children and youth can seek advice, help, and nurture.
ii.
Our
church is a place where more than just facts of child abuse can be taught. We can also teach and proclaim our Christian
values: compassion, justice, repentance,
and grace.
iii.
Our
church is the place where children can come and learn and develop the inner
strength and spiritual resources they will need to feel truly connected to God
and to face suffering and evil.
iv.
Our
church can be the place where children and adults are able to learn how to
respond to painful and confusing events using the wisdom of the Scriptures.
III.
What
is Abuse and How Can We Recognize It?
A.
Physical
Abuse
B.
Emotional
Abuse
C.
Neglect
D.
Sexual
Abuse
E.
Ritual
Abuse
IV.
Who
Are Abusers?
A. Can be anyone. Sunday school teachers, nursery workers,
preschool teachers, children’s choir helpers, vacation Bible school leaders,
camp counselors, youth group counselors, clergy, or anyone else.
B. Safe Sanctuaries video
V.
What
are we Doing to Keep Our Children and Workers Safe?
A. Screening of Staff: Employees and Volunteers (have a prepared
statement for those who resent. Why we
are doing this)
i.
Screening
forms
ii.
Application
forms
iii.
Covenant
forms
iv.
Consent
forms
v.
Position
description forms
B. Training of Staff: Employees and Volunteers
i.
Safety
procedures & policies
ii.
CPR
& Basic First Aid (could be another day)
C. Reporting Suspected Abuse
i.
Reporting
procedures
ii.
Confidentiality
D. Complete Forms (if necessary)
VI.
Closing
Worship
A. Covenant Forms – have them sign
them
B. Scripture reading – Luke 9:46-48
C. Invitation to pray responsively
with Pastor.
Leader: O God, by our presence here today
People: We welcome the Children
(youth)!
Leader: O God, by our promise in Holy Baptism,
People: We welcome the Children
(youth)!
Leader: O God, by our participation in the ministries
of this congregation,
People: We welcome the Children
(youth)!
Leader: O God, by our commitment to keeping this
place holy and safe in every way.
People: We welcome the Children
(youth)!
Leader: O God, give us wisdom, strength, and courage
enough to show the world that
People: We welcome the Children
(youth)!
All: Amen
D. Offering
Ask the participants to bring
forward their signed covenant forms as a sign of offering themselves in
ministry with children and youth. Sing
the Doxology.
E. Benediction
In Maryland, the child abuse and
neglect law requires that ANYONE who SUSPECTS a child has been or is being
mistreated MUST report the matter to the Department of Social Services whether
the child resides in Maryland or not.
In cases of alleged child abuse, a report must be made to Social Services
or the Police. The individual who has
reason to believe that a child has been subjected to abuse and/or neglect has
the following responsibilities and is considered the mandated reporter. The mandated reporter is required to report,
orally and in writing, any suspected child abuse or neglect. An oral report can be made by telephone or
direct communication as soon as reasonably possible to the local Department of
Child-Protective Services. A written
report (form 180 copy included with instructions) should be sent to the local
Department of Child-Protective Services not later than 48 hours after the
contact, examination, attention or discovery that caused the person to believe
that the child had been subjected to abuse or neglect, with a copy to the local
State’s Attorney if the mandated reporter has reason to believe that the child
has been subjected to abuse. Any person
who, in good faith, makes a report of abuse or neglect is IMMUNE from civil
liability or criminal penalty.
SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITES FOR A
PERSON WHO HAS REASON TO BELIEVE THAT A CHILD HAS BEEN SUBJECTED TO
ABUSE/NEGLECT
THE FOLLOWING ARE TO BE COMPLETED
WITHIN A 48 HOUR PERIOD
1. Complete
the written report of Suspected Child Abuse/Neglect, Form 180 and file an oral
report by telephone to the local Department of Child-Protective Services. (410) 758-8000 or (410) 758-0770
2. Submit
the written report Form 180 to the local Department of Child-Protective
Services, Queen Anne’s County, 120 Broadway,
3. Report to the Senior Pastor any behavior
that seems abusive or otherwise inappropriate that has occurred on church
property or during a church sanctioned event or ministry. If one of the appointed clergy is accused of
being a perpetrator or violator of the KIUMC Safe Sanctuaries policy,
applicable policies and procedures of the
When an incident of child abuse
occurs, in order to protect the child, the family, the alleged perpetrator and
the church, it is crucial that accurate and reliable information be available
from the first moment that church authorities are notified. As soon as possible after being informed of
an incident of child abuse, the Senior Pastor shall inform the Church Administrator. It shall be the responsibility of the Church
Administrator to function as “press secretary” for the duration of the crisis.
If one of the appointed clergy is accused of being a perpetrator or violator of
the KIUMC Safe Sanctuaries policy, applicable policies and procedures of the
The Church
Administrator…
The
congregation of
As a
volunteer in this congregation, I agree to:
I have
read this Participation Covenant, and I agree to observe and abide by the
policies set forth above.
________________________________________
Signature
of Applicant Date
________________________________________
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