Policy for the Protection of Children
The following policy is intended to apply to church activities
involving children where responsibility for the child’s safety is assigned
to a church worker, either paid staff or volunteer. For church
activities in which child’s parent(s) or guardians are participants, the
responsibility for the child’s safety is presumed to remain with the
participating parent or guardian.
[Our church facilities are available
to outside organizations on request.] For activities involving
children, requesting organization agrees to abide by the
In April of 1996, the General Conference of the
The
As a Christian community, we pledge to conduct all our activities and
ministries in a safe manner that encourages the spiritual growth of all the
children entrusted to us. We will follow reasonable screening measures in the
selection and recruitment of all volunteers working with children. We will
train all persons working with children in Child Abuse Protection. We will
respond to all reports of abuse and report them to the proper authorities.
We adopt the
following as minimum standards
for our ministries with children and youth.
a)
All
workers with children will submit an application listing standard contact
information and three references of individuals not related to the worker.
b)
The
Pastor, or his designated leader will interview all
workers with children, before they begin teaching. References will be contacted.
c)
All
workers with children will be asked to undergo a child abuse background check,
every five years and upon enlistment, through The Kern County Sheriff’s Office.
Any individuals found to have prior child related offenses would not be
accepted.
d)
All
workers with children will go thru a child abuse-training course provided by
the church.
e)
All
applications, reports and training record(s) will be kept by the church as part
of an applicants’ confidential file. All files shall be kept in a locked file
on the church premises.
a)
There
will be two unrelated adults overseeing all youth related events. If this is
not possible, the group with only one adult will congregate in with another
group.
b)
The
two adult rule will be followed at all times, no exceptions.
c)
Due
to liability insurance restrictions, No person under 18 will be considered as
one of the adults.
d)
Child
Abuse Training is mandatory, annually, for all persons working with children /
youth, if it hasn’t already been provided by another agency. A record of the
training shall be provided and become part of the applicant’s confidential
file.
e)
Enrollment
applications for education programs on the church grounds are to be filled out
by the parents / guardians as necessary.
f)
Children
/ Youth are required to submit written permission forms for all events off the
church grounds and outside of direct supervision of their parents. These forms
are to include pertinent health information, parental permission to treat a
minor, a covenant of participation and standard contact information.
3.
Reporting of Incidents
a)
The
pastor, or his designee, is to be immediately notified of all accusations, even
during the service. All reports will be taken seriously. Notification needs to
be discreet.
b)
If
an allegation implicates a family member, Child Protective Services is to be
called.
c)
If
an allegation implicates a non-family member, law enforcement is to be called.
d)
It
will be the pastor’s responsibility to contact the Annual Conference, District,
or any other church officials.
4.
Responding to Incidents
a)
The
child reporting abuse shall be removed from the situation immediately.
b)
The
individual being accused of the abuse will be detained, if it is possible, and
law enforcement is to be called.
c)
It
will be the pastor’s responsibility to contact the Annual Conference, District,
or any other church officials.
d)
Support
will be available to all persons involved in the incident through outside
agencies.
e)
The
Church office can provide resources and referrals to outside agencies.
5.
Nursery
a)
Childcare
for children 0 – 3 years old is provided during church services and various
church functions in the nursery.
b)
All
children in the nursery must be signed in and out by their parent or guardian.
Siblings may not perform the sign-in / sign-out procedure.
c)
Parent
/ Guardians must indicate on the sign-in sheet where they will be during their
child’s stay in the nursery.
d)
Parent
/ Guardians are expected to provide pertinent health information in writing
before leaving their child in the nursery (allergies, medical conditions,
etc…). This information will be restricted and only be available to the nursery
attendants.
e)
Parent
/ Guardians are expected to pick up their children immediately following the
church service, class or function.
f)
For
the protection of the nursery attendants, only the person, who signed the child
in will be allowed to pick up and sign the child out. No Exceptions!
g)
Only
six children per adult attendant will be allowed in the nursery.
h)
The
nursery will close if there are not two adult attendants present.
i)
Persons
who are not actively working in the nursery will be prohibited from the nursery
when it is in operation.
j)
Diaper
bags & personal items must be labeled with the child’s name. Parents are
advised to include a change of clothing and an empty plastic bag in the diaper
bag for wet or soiled clothes.
k)
The
nursery will not provide food for the children during their stay. Parents please
do not bring food to the nursery. This policy is in place to help avoid
possible food allergy reactions.
[Adopted