SUPERVISION
Two Adult Rule: To the greatest extent possible, when ministry activities involve contact with, or supervising, children, two unrelated mandated reporters must be present. Citywalk Church considers all volunteers to be mandated reporters.
One-on-One Mentoring of Youth: Citywalk Church provides one-on-one mentoring of youth. Only with respect to one-on-one mentoring activities, the “Two Adult Rule” set forth in the paragraph above does not apply. In order to be eligible to participate in one-on-one mentoring:
a) Volunteers, parents or guardians of youth participating in one-on-one mentoring must undergo the training set forth in paragraph “Administrators, Employees and Regular Volunteers – Background Checks”
b) The Director of Next-Gen Ministries shall have contact with volunteers and parents or guardians of youth participating in one-on-one mentoring no less than twice in a thirty-day period.
Any one-on-one mentoring of youth must take place in a location where the adult worker and the youth are both visible to others. Any planned one-on-one meetings must be approved by a ministry leader, and the adult worker must obtain prior approval from parents/guardians.
Appropriate Behavior with Children: Workers should avoid the appearance of impropriety—such as sitting older children on their lap, kissing, or embracing others, etc.
OPEN DOOR POLICY
Classroom doors should remain open unless there is a window in the door or a side window beside it. Doors should never be locked while people are inside the room unless for experiencing an emergency or emergency drill with procedures that dictate otherwise.
RESTROOM GUIDELINES
Children five years of age and younger should utilize a classroom bathroom, if one is available. If a classroom bathroom is not available, workers should escort a group of children to the hallway bathroom. They should always go in a group, never taking a child to the bathroom alone. The workers should check the bathroom first to make sure that it is empty, then allow the children inside. The workers should then remain outside the bathroom door and escort the children back to the classroom. If a child is taking longer than seems necessary, the worker should open the bathroom door and call the child's name. If a child requires assistance, the workers should prop open the bathroom door and leave the stall door open as he/she assists the child.
For children over the age of five, at least one adult male should take boys to the restroom and at least one adult female should take girls. The worker should check the bathroom first to make sure that the bathroom is empty, then allow the children inside. The worker should then remain outside the bathroom door and escort the children back to the classroom.
For the protection of all, workers should never be alone with a child in a bathroom with the door closed and never be in a closed bathroom stall with a child. Parents are strongly encouraged to have their children visit the bathroom prior to each class.
CHECK-IN/CHECK-OUT PROCEDURES
1. Workers should arrive at least 10 minutes before a scheduled activity. They must remain at their assigned post until all people in their care have been picked up by an authorized person. No children or youth should be released to find their parents or wait unattended for transportation.
2. Workers are to release children in their care only to parents, guardians, or persons specifically authorized to pick up the child.
ACCIDENTAL INJURIES TO CHILDREN
In the event that a child or youth is injured while under our care, the following steps should be followed:
1. For minor injuries, scrapes, and bruises, workers will provide First Aid (Band-Aids, etc.) as appropriate and will notify the child’s parent or guardian of the injury at the time the child is picked up from our care.
2. For injuries requiring medical treatment beyond simple First Aid, the parent and/or guardian will immediately be summoned in addition to the worker’s supervisor. If warranted by circumstances, an ambulance will be called.
3. Once the child has received appropriate medical attention, an incident report will be completed in the case of injuries requiring treatment by a medical professional.
TEENAGE WORKERS
We recognize that there may be times when it is necessary or desirable for babysitters (paid or volunteer) who are themselves under age 18 to assist in caring for children during programs or activities. The following guidelines apply to such workers:
- Teenage workers must be at least age 12.
- Teenage workers will be screened as specified above (with the exception of a background check, which can’t be conducted on minors).
- Teenage workers must be under the supervision of two mandated reporters and must never be left alone with children.
INJURIES OR ILLNESS
1. Persons who are ill (with a fever, or a communicable disease that can be transmitted by cough or by touch) will not be permitted to participate in any ministry activity.
2. A suitable worker—one who has been previously approved through our ministry screening process—must be used to take the place of a worker who is ill.
3. Participants should be returned to their parent or guardian as soon as the illness is discovered. If immediate return is not possible, then the person who is ill should be isolated in a manner that allows an adult worker to monitor the participant until he/she can be returned to a parent or guardian.
4. Take reasonable steps to avoid contact with blood, saliva, or other bodily fluids.
5. Ministry coordinators and supervisors who become aware of an injury to a worker or participant will take steps to ensure that proper medical attention is given to the injured person and provide for continued monitoring of the remaining activity participants.
6. Persons who have received an injury that is obviously minor should be given first aid as needed at the time of injury. The individual’s parents or guardians should be notified of the injury when they pick up the injured person.
7. Any injury that may require medical treatment beyond simple first aid should be given immediate attention. The parents or guardians of the injured person should be notified immediately, along with the ministry worker’s coordinator or supervisor. If warranted by the injury, emergency medical personnel should be called.
MEDICATIONS POLICY
It is the policy of Citywalk Church not to administer either prescription or non-prescription medications to the children under our care. Medications should be administered by a parent at home. Parents are reminded of our sick child policy.
Exceptions to the medications policy may be granted to parents of children with potentially life-threatening conditions (such as asthma or severe allergic reactions). Parents of such children should address their situation with the Director of Next-Gen Ministries to develop a plan of action.
DISCIPLINE POLICY
It is the policy of Citywalk Church not to administer corporal punishment, even if parents have suggested or given permission for it. There should be no spanking, grabbing, hitting, or other physical discipline of children. Workers should consult with the Director of Next-Gen Ministries if assistance is needed with disciplinary issues.