The First Year

Gathering information about children and youth

An example Child Information form is available here. (needs to be scanned)

We suggest that this information be collected the first time a child attends a Children's Ministry event such as Sunday school, childcare, recreational event, children's choir, etc. Similar information is collected about youth at the beginning of every year when they fill out the information and release form.

This information is then compared with the information available on the church database, and updated if necessary, to ensure the correct information is available to all staff.

Check In And Check Out Procedures

Child Abuse Protection

A child protection policy must ensure that children and youth are protecting against physical or sexual abuse while involved in any church event, whether on or off the church property.

Form a committee to develop the policy and procedure
Ensure representation from all the relevent ministry areas (Children's CE, Youth, scouts, music, Pastoral staff, church/family life, child care, etc.)

The committee should determine the appropriate wording for the policy and the procedures to be implemented to enforce the policy. Policy samples and examples of forms referenced below are included in the Templates And Samples section.

The Best Practices page lists the procedures that should be included in all Child Protection policies and procedures.

Research has indicated that merely asking prospective volunteers or employees to fill out the forms as well as potentially discuss the following questions with a pastor will dissuade a potential abuser from applying for a position.

Have you ever been accused of any form or molestation or abuse?
Has there ever been an incident in your past that would cause you or the church to have concerns about your working with children or youth?

Research also indicates that predators usually cannot go more than six months to a year before they prey again. So volunteers who have been around more than 5 years are generally safe.

Approval and implementation

The policy should be approved by the Task Force or Steering Committee.

Implementation

Staff and volunteers should be required to fill out forms and attend training before they begin their work with children and youth. Deadlines should be enforced.

Processes for following up on reports of abuse is in the policy manual in the Templates And Samples section.

Return to Child Protection main page
The Second Year

Last Modified 11/2/04 10:06 AM

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