Annual Training

State Street United Methodist Church Safe Sanctuaries Policy

Reducing the Risk of Abuse and Safety Awareness Training in the church.

Safe Sanctuaries

Policy Review:• Task force met during summer to

review policy

• Recommendations based on best practices of insurance company and Holston conference

• Policy approved by Church Council on July 27, 2015

• Changes are highlighted in yellow.

Our Commitment:

• To promote the safety and spiritual growth of all of our children, youth and workers.

• To follow reasonable measures in the selection of workers.

• To implement prudent operational procedures in all programs and events.

• To educate our workers regarding appropriate policies and methods.

• To have a clearly defined procedure for reporting suspected abuse that conforms to TN and VA state laws.

• To be prepared to respond to media inquiries if an incident occurs.

Why Safe Sanctuaries?

• Each day in the United States, nearly 5 children die as a result of child abuse in the home.

• Child abuse and neglect is the leading cause of death in children age four and younger!

Why Safe Sanctuaries?

The Church is called to be a place where the values of compassion, justice, mercy and grace are proclaimed.

Why Safe Sanctuaries?

This policy is written to provide for the safety of children and youth and to protect workers against false allegations of abuse.

Recognizing Child Abuse…

• See Handouts – 5 types and indicators of possible abuse.

• Please review and keep for future reference.

State Street UMC Safe Sanctuaries

Policy

Adopted November 2005Revised July 2015

in compliance with Holston Conference Resolution

requiring all Holston Conference churches to

implement a Safe Sanctuaries policy.

*Key Points of our Policy*The full policy can be found on our church website -- click on policies tab.

Recruitment, Screening and Selection of

Volunteers

• Job descriptions for volunteers and staff

• Participation covenants

• Annual Safe Sanctuaries training

• Two designated levels of volunteers:

• Core Volunteers • Occasional Volunteers

Core Volunteers and Staff:

Criminal Background checks (repeated every 5 years)

Procedures for Working with Children

and Youth

Two Adult Rule

• Two unrelated adults, not living in same household required at all events.

• During times of major use leave door open and a designated “floater” may supervise the area.

Supervision of Children

• Children and youth under age 18 shall be supervised at all times while at the church.

Supervision of Children

Personal Conferences: • in view of other adults• door open • Notify staff member about counseling

beginning/end• Reschedule if no other adults are in

building.

Supervision of Children

Meetings

• Two adult rule in effect

• Childcare is provided by the church with advance notice.

• Children must remain with childcare workers or in room with parents

Supervision of Children

Youth “hanging out” at the church:

• high traffic area

• during work hours

• when staff members are present and on the same floor

Bathroom ProceduresNursery – Birth to age 3• Paid staff change diapers, following posted procedure.

Preschool – 3-4-PreK• One volunteer may assist but the door must remain open.

Elementary – K-grade 5• Encourage parents to take children before worship and SS.• One volunteer escorts child to the bathroom and remains

outside hallway bathroom door. • If possible, take two or more children at the same time.

Age Limit Rule

• Hired Childcare Workers at least 18

• Childcare assistants (at least age 16) volunteer or paid, must work with adult

• Minimum age for youth workers is 22 (exception youth interns who must be at least 20)

Age Limit Rule

• At least one volunteer or paid worker in each children’s area must be 18 or older.

• No elementary children in the nursery or preschool areas unless they are children of the worker.

• All childcare workers and childcare assistants must complete annual Safe Sanctuaries training.

Five Year Older Rule• Volunteers at least five years older

than the group with which they are to work

• Senior high youth workers - at least 22 years old (except youth intern).

Transportation

• Drivers and chaperones must have valid driver’s license and submit to a MVR check.

• Drivers age 21 with good driving history.

• Chaperones age 18

• Two bus chaperones.

• Youth must ride in church vehicles

• Parent permission required for youth to drive in personal cars

• No unrelated minor passengers may ride in personal cars of youth drivers

Six-Month Rule• “Official Volunteers” should

have participated regularly at State Street UMC for six months.

• Parents may visit and participate in their children’s activities at any time.

Advance Notice Rule

Leaders provide advance notice for all events.

Parental Permissions

Written permission required for overnight trips and when transporting children or youth.

Photographs

• Parent permission on annual registration forms for photographs/videos.

• No identifying names (no tagging on church sites)

Social Media-Church Websites• Sites monitored regularly by more

than one administrator.

• All content must reflect our church’s values.

• Please post “responsibly.”

• Set guidelines for responding to texts at appropriate times.

Procedures• First Aid and CPR required for

program staff.

• Accident/Incident Report forms

• Windows on all classroom doors or open door policy

• Review of policy annually

Responding to Allegations

Reporting Child Abuse or Neglect

State Reporting • Any suspected cases of child abuse

must be reported to the proper authorities.

• Use the Report of Suspected Incident of Child Abuse form (Appendix G) -see handout. Also available on church website or staff offices.

• Incidents away from church must be reported in that jurisdiction. (Appendix G)

• Suspected abuse in a non-church situation must also be reported.

Important!How an adult responds to a child when he or she tries to disclose abuse can influence the outcome of the child’s victimization!

• Stay calm.• Reassure the child that help will be sought.• Do not criticize the child.• Assure the child of confidentiality (except

for required reporting)

NO one, except child protective services (and authorized persons) should be told about allegations of abuse – if the allegations cannot be substantiated, you can be sued for defamation of character.

When to Report?

• Not required to know “for sure.”

• Reasonable suspicion.

Church-Related Allegations• Notify state authorities.

• Also notify one of the following:Senior or Associate MinisterDirector of Children and Family MinistriesYouth DirectorLay Leader and/or Chair Church Council

Let’s Review• Read the following scenarios.

• Decide if the scenario complies with our Safe Sanctuaries policy – YES or NO

• Write your answer with the reason it does or does not comply on the interim training sheet and submit with your paperwork.

Scenario 1:

You bring your child to a meeting at the church. Childcare is provided, but you allow your child to stay in the church library or playground instead.

Scenario 2

A child in your SS class tells you his uncle has been “touching” him in private areas. You talk to the other volunteers about the situation and decide he’s probably making it up so you do not report.

Scenario 3

One of your youth routinely texts you late at night wanting to “chat.” You remind the youth of your guidelines for texting and do not answer the text after hours unless it is an emergency.

Scenario 4

A youth wants to talk to you about an important issue. No one else is in the building at the time. You reschedule the conference for a different time or agree to meet in a public place.

Next Steps• Print out and complete forms – return to

Jaymie’s office!

• Copies are available outside Jaymie’soffice if needed.

• Thanks for agreeing to volunteer this year!