Safe Child Policy ~ Guidelines For Safe Ministry With Children And Youth

Basic Guidelines

The following guidelines are important to our commitment to prevent abuse of our youth.

They are to be followed when reasonably possible.  Strict adherence to these guidelines is not always possible or practical so it is important to note these are guidelines only.   These guidelines are not listed in order of importance. 

1. The “Two Adult” Policy: This policy suggests that no fewer than two unrelated adults be present at all times during any church-sponsored program, event or ministry involving children and youth.  However, it is expressly understood that Sunday school classrooms will not always be staffed with two unrelated adults.  When classrooms are not staffed with two unrelated adults, a “roamer” will be used who will move in and out of the classrooms during the program, event or ministry.

2. “Windows and Doors” Policy: There will be windows in the classroom doors where child or youth ministry occurs, or doors will be left open to accommodate open access to the rooms where child or youth ministry occurs.

3. The “Five Years Older” Policy: It is desired that all workers or volunteers with youth be at least five years older than the youth or children they are leading.  If there is a young adult or another youth who wishes to volunteer with child or youth ministry who is less than five years older than the age of the youth in ministry, such volunteers will be paired with an adult leader who is at least five years older than the age of the ministered youth whenever possible.         

4. The “Six Month” Policy: No volunteer may be accepted to work with youth until that volunteer has been an active participant in our congregation for at least six months unless that volunteer is paired with an adult who has been an active participant in our congregation and who has worked or volunteered with our child or youth ministry for at least six months.

5. First Aid/CPR Training: All workers and volunteers who work with youth will be encouraged to obtain training in basic CPR and first aid.  The church will provide all workers and volunteers with information on where such training may be obtained. However, the church will not pay the costs of such training unless advance approval is obtained from the senior minister or the board that will provide the funds for such training.

6. Alcohol, Drugs and Tobacco: Alcohol, recreational drug and tobacco use are prohibited on any church-sponsored program, event or ministry involving youth or children. 

7. Seatbelts: Seatbelts will be worn by all participants, but especially by youth and children, during any church-sponsored event that requires transportation in a car. 

8. Driver’s License and Insurance: Workers and volunteers that agree to transport youth or children on any church-sponsored event must have a valid driver’s license in order to drive any youth or child on the church-sponsored event.  In addition, workers and volunteers should not transport youth or children in a vehicle unless they have liability insurance on the vehicle they are using to transport the youth or children.  Whenever possible, drivers should be adults over the age of 21.  However, it is understood drivers under the age of 21 may be used from time to time, especially if the event is a day trip within a reasonably short distance of the church.

9.  Emergency Contact Card: Children and youth participating in church-sponsored events or activities outside the church premises are expected to provide emergency contact cards from parents or guardians that contain information on who to contact for the child or youth participants in the event of an emergency.  These contact cards will also contain a general grant of permission for the child or youth to participate in the event or activity, and authorize supervising adults to seek emergency medical care if necessary.  The absence of a completed emergency contact card will not prohibit a youth from participating in a church-sponsored youth activity or event. The primary goal is to inform parents, guardians and hosts that emergency contact information should be made available to those supervising youth events.

10. Orientation and Acknowledgment: Each year the church will offer an orientation for all full-time or part-time workers and volunteers who work with youth and children.  The orientation will include a review of the church’s Safe Child Policy and the guidelines First Congregational Church strives to use in all its youth and children’s ministries.   Procedures for reporting and investigating incidents or complaints regarding inappropriate behavior, misconduct or alleged violations of the Safe Child Policy will also be reviewed.  

All leaders, workers and volunteers in youth and children’s ministries shall provide a signed acknowledgment form indicating they have reviewed the church’s Safe Child Policy, are familiar with its provisions and goals, and agree to give their best effort to the ministry and to adhering to the guidelines established by the Safe Child Policy.