New Life Vineyard Church desires to provide a safe and caring environment for our children and to protect those who work with our children. The following policy has been set forth to ensure the safety and protection of our children and staff.
Child Protection Policy
Purpose:
New Life Vineyard Church, desiring to provide a safe and caring environment for our children and to protect those who work with our children, has adopted the following guidelines and precautions. This policy will apply to all persons who volunteer or are paid to work with preschoolers, children, and students (grades 6 and under) in all areas of the life and ministry of New Life Vineyard Church, Hamilton, Ohio. For brevity, the age groups from birth to grade 6 shall be referred to as "children."
Policy 1.0 Screening of workers with children
1.1 Application
All persons volunteering or enlisted to work with children will be required to complete a Screening Form For Children’s & Youth Ministry Workers prior to working with children. All persons being paid to work with children shall complete both an Application For Employment and a Screening Form For Children’s & Youth Ministry Workers.
1.2 Interview
All workers, paid and volunteer, shall be interviewed prior to working by a Staff Pastor. Written notes of the interview may be kept in a confidential file within the church office.
1.3 References
The Screening Form For Children’s & Youth Ministry Workers and Applications for Employment shall be reviewed by the responsible supervisory staff member(s). A designated staff member shall use reasonable diligence in contacting the references as listed on the forms. Written notes of the reference discussions shall be kept in a confidential file within the church office.
1.4 Time of Attendance
Only persons who have regularly attended New Life Vineyard Church for three (3) months or more will be eligible to teach or lead as volunteers with children. Exception: Volunteers may work in teaching and leadership roles who are members of another church of like faith and doctrine in our geographic area, providing they meet the following requirements: 1) Provide a letter of reference from their current pastor; and 2) Have been a member of that church longer than six (6) months.
1.5 Mentoring Program
All new volunteers will enter a mentoring program for a period not to exceed six (6) months. During this time, the volunteer will minister to children only at church sponsored events and in the presence of an approved children’s ministry worker. At the end of the mentoring period, the volunteer will either be released into ministry according to here described guidelines or be asked to serve in ministry area’s other than children’s ministry.
1.6 Confidentiality
All forms and written notes from interviews shall be maintained in the church office. Only the staff pastors will have access to the volunteer's information. The staff pastors and the Elder Team shall have access to paid workers information. Volunteers and paid workers who desire to review their information may do so by scheduling an appointment with a staff pastor.
1.7 Criminal Background Check
A staff pastor may perform a criminal background check on all paid workers or have such criminal background check performed by an independent outside consultant or agency.
1.8 Appeal
Any person who is deemed not eligible to serve as a volunteer in children’s ministry may appeal to the Sr. Pastor and/or Elder Team by scheduling an appointment.
1.9 Summary of Screening Process.
a. Potential worker completes a Screening Form For Children’s & Youth Ministry Workers (plus Application for Employment if paid). b. Interview by a staff pastor. c. References are checked. d. Optional Criminal Background Check. e. Placement or redirection to another ministry area.
2.0 Supervision of volunteers and workers
2.1 Adequate Supervision Two adults will be present during any church activity where children are participating. In a Sunday School or similar teaching environment, it is acceptable to have individual groups/classes with one adult leader/teacher, provided that another adult is present in the general area.
2.2 Minimum Leadership
Any church activity where minors are present will be canceled (or postponed) until the two adult rule can be met. Parents or guardians are not to leave children for activities until two adults are present.
2.3 Permissions
Church sponsored programs and activities will require parental permission for children to participate. Allowing a child to attend an activity or event away from the church facilities requires a permission/medical release form to be completed.
2.4 Transportation
Volunteer workers must be at least twenty one (21) years of age to provide transportation to and from church sponsored events.
2.5 Exceptions
Any exception to the two adult rule would be after the worker/volunteer has received consent from the child's parent/guardian and notified a staff pastor of such a meeting.
2.7 Education
The church staff shall, for all ministries in which children are involved implement appropriate procedures and continuing education concerning this policy and concerns about child abuse in general.
3.0 Reporting Process
3.1 Inappropriate Behavior
If a volunteer sees any questionable, suspicious, or inappropriate behavior or if a volunteer suspects any type of child abuse, the volunteer should immediately and CONFIDENTIALLY report it to the person in charge of the program or activity. If that is not possible, it should be reported to a Staff Pastor. The need for the strictest of confidentiality must be stressed. Upon receiving such a report, the person in charge of the program or activity should immediately and confidentially report the situation to the Staff Pastor responsible for the area.
3.2 Supervision Process
Any inappropriate activity concerning the supervision process should be reported to the person in charge of the program or activity. The issue will be assessed and corrected immediately.
3.3 Civil Authorities
If a Staff Pastor receives a report of suspected improper action or suspected child abuse or they themselves suspect an improper action or suspect child abuse, they shall take all steps necessary to report any suspected child abuse to the proper state and county authorities. The Staff Pastor shall use reasonable judgment in interpreting and reporting such suspicions.
3.4 Course of Action
If an allegation or suspicion of child abuse involving a volunteer or paid worker in a ministry involving children comes to the attention of a Staff Pastor, said Pastor shall take reasonable steps to confidentially suspend said volunteers contact with any children in ministries of the church until the allegations have been properly investigated by the appropriate government agencies. In the absence of such an investigation, the church staff and members of the Elder Team shall review the suspicions or allegations and make a judgment regarding the suspension or restoration of the volunteer.
3.5 Support
If an allegation or suspicion of child abuse involving a volunteer or paid worker in a ministry involving children taking place at the church comes to the attention of a Staff Pastor, said Pastor shall promptly report such suspicion or allegation to the church's insurance company, the church's legal counsel and shall enlist whatever other professional assistance appropriate or necessary to assure that the situation is dealt with professionally.
3.6 Parents
In the case of allegations of child abuse during a program, activity or event of the church the church staff shall promptly and confidentially notify the parents or legal guardian of the child involved.
3.7 Pastoral Care
In the case of allegations of child abuse during a program, activity or event of the church the Pastoral Staff and appropriate church leadership shall take all reasonable steps to reach out to the possible victim and/or the accused and their families to provide them grace, love, and support through the difficult situation.
3.8 Spokesperson
In the case of allegations of child abuse during a program, activity or event of the church the Pastoral Staff shall designate a spokesperson for the church to deal with handling inquiries from the media, from the congregation, and to the extent possible, from the appropriate authorities.
3.9 Reporting Process Summary (Involving Volunteers or Employees)
a. Individual reports observation or suspicion to Staff Pastor. b. Staff Pastor reports observation or suspicion to proper state and county authorities. c. Parents are notified. d. Volunteer or employee is suspended from contact with children pending investigation. e. Elders are informed of the general details of the case. f. A spokesperson for the case is designated. g. Staff Pastor notifies the insurance provider, legal counsel. h. Pastoral care extended to both victim and accused. i. Civil Authorities investigate. j. If there is no investigation, church staff and Elders review the suspicions or allegations, render a judgment.
3.10 Reporting Process Summary (Involving Suspected Abuse to a Child)
a. Parents are questioned regarding the suspicion. b. If there is reasonable cause, Staff Pastor reports observation or suspicion to proper state and county authorities. c. Elders are informed of the general details of the case. d. A spokesperson for the case is designated. e. Pastoral care extended to the family. f. Civil Authorities investigate.
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