Child Safety Policy and Procedures

Training Sessions

Each person who is new to our children or youth ministry, or who will be working with minors as one in authority, is required to get a background check and complete an online training of 8 videos at http://kaleonashville.org/nazarenesafe/ (along with accompanying worksheets as well) and any additional training the church deems necessary. Additional church policies and procedures are listed below.

Check-in and Release Procedures - Volunteers should arrive at least 15 minutes prior to an event to be prepared to

Two-Person Rule - Two adults should be present at all times from the point of check-in and during any church-sponsored program or event for minors. As much as possible, we as a church will try to schedule volunteers to serve from week to week who are unrelated so that risk is reduced. Staff and volunteers should never leave a child (or children) unattended. The same caution should be taken if the event is held off church property or in a home.

Restroom Procedures - Parents will be encouraged to take their children to the restroom prior to each class or session. The restroom should be checked for safety before children have access and checked for other adults in the area. Only one child will be allowed in the restroom at a time. The adult should wait outside the restroom until the child has exited. No adult should be in a restroom with a child when the door is closed. At all times, when possible, we will provide a hall monitor for added protection. The two person rule should be observed when children are potty training as well. Diapers and pull-ups should be changed in the nursery area.

Visibility - All contact with children should be in view of other adults and minors. Classrooms should have windows so that activities can be monitored.

Appropriate Touch - Adults should avoid the appearance of impropriety, such as holding children on their laps, kissing, or embracing a child. Setting a preschool age child on the knees, not the lap, of a caregiver is allowed. Gentle touch during activities may include a child's head, shoulder, arms, and hands. Backrubs are not permissible by those who work with minors. Physical restraint should be used only to protect the safety and welfare of the minor.

One-on-One - Sessions with minors should be scheduled with the consent and full knowledge of parents and/or fellow ministers. As much as possible, any one-on-one meetings should take place in a public place or in the church building with others present and in an area with windows and/or glass doors in order to reduce risk.

 

Response to Allegations of Sexual Misconduct

• All reports will be taken seriously and the church will take all steps possible to follow through and provide support to those involved and to avoid future risk. Report of abuse by a minor should be received with immense compassion, understanding and emotional support. Responses should be calm and supportive. Examples include:
  • Allowing silence and not rushing to question further
  • Using assuring phrases like: "I believe you," "What happened is not your fault," "It's my job to protect you"
  • Don't promise the information will be kept confidential
  • Don't make broad promises about the future
  • Do promise that the child/minor will get the support they need to get through this

Additionally, Tennessee law mandates all persons to report suspected child abuse or neglect. Abuse can be physical, sexual or emotional. The worker/volunteer should report to a Pastor. If no pastor is available, it should be taken to the District Superintendent, Dr. Dwight Gunter (dgunter@midsouthnaz.org, 615-244-5918). The minister will inform parents (if parents are not involved in the alleged abuse) and ensure immediate safety of the child.

Further, when appropriate, ministers of the church will seek professional assistance from: the insurance company (Not applicable as of 2-1-17), The Nazarene District Superintendent of Tennessee (see number above), Tennessee Department of Children's Services (615-360-4200) and the Nashville Children's Alliance (615-327-9958).

Lastly but crucially, in order for a minister to notify the TN Department of Children's Services, the following information should be gathered in writing and kept in a secure location:

• Nature of the harm or specific incident(s) that precipitated the report
• Specific allegation(s), date(s) and description(s) of the injuries or dangers
• Identities of alleged perpetrator(s) and their relationships to the victim
• Witnesses to the incident(s) and how to reach those witnesses
• Details of any physical evidence available
• Perpetrator's current access to the child
• Present condition of the child (alone, in need of medical attention, etc)
• The location of the child and direction to get there
• Any statement from the child, parent's or perpetrator's explanation of the alleged child victim's condition or the incident
• Parent's current emotional, physical or mental state, especially feelings about the child and reaction to the report, how the reporter came to know the information and the reporter's thoughts about the likelihood of further harm to the child. The reporter's identity is confidential, but a name should be given so the department could follow up with the reporter if necessary. The reporter is free from civil or criminal liability for reports of suspected child abuse or neglect made in good faith.
• In regards to the alleged perpetrator, he or she will be immediately suspended of any leadership position, whether volunteer or paid, while the complaint is thoroughly investigated. The church board will work with those involved on appropriate steps in regards to future involvement of the accused, depending on results of the investigation and/or trial
• Information to those in the congregation will only be shared following the notion of "Qualified Privilege" (defined as "communications made in good faith on any subject matter in which the person communicating has an interest, or in reference to which he has a duty if such communication is made to a person having corresponding interest or duty")
• From here the volunteer/minister will proceed with professional assistance from the proper authorities.

 

Bibliography

Darkness to Light. Stewards of Children, Interactive Workbook: Your Personal Prevention Plan. Charleston, SC: Darkness to Light Miller, Dr. Viola. Child Safety. TN: TN Department of Children's Services, NA.