Transcript Slide 1

SAFE
PLACE
“They will live
in safety,
and no one will
frighten them.”
Ezekiel 34:28
The Church should be safe and
secure place for children.
The Church should be a highly
unsafe place for abusers.
 Houses
 Banks
 Cars
 Pets
Why not secure children too?
SAFE PLACE
SP
Policies and procedures to ensure that all Workers
and those associated with Upper Room are
knowledgeable about and take specific measures
to protect children in the course of their work.
Each volunteer is required to read this manual and
agree to its policies.
While every Worker is valued and unique, we come
together as an body in the best interests of
children and their families.
The safety, rights and well-being of children we
serve are at the core of our church’s operations.
“Let the little children come to me,
and do not hinder them.”
MARK 10:14
Misconduct refers to inappropriate behaviour
in the organization and includes but is not
limited to any/all of the following:
Communication that goes beyond the Worker’s
volunteer/employment responsibilities with the
child and/or does not occur within the context of
their duties and responsibilities and is done
without parental consent/knowledge such as:
COMMUNICATION THAT GOES BEYOND THE WORKER’S
VOLUNTEER/EMPLOYMENT RESPONSIBILITIES AND
WITHOUT CONSENT.
• Writing personal letters or text messages to a child.
• Making personal phone calls to a child.
• Having personal Internet exchanges with a child (email,
instant messaging, chatting, social networking, etc.).
• Sending personalized gifts to a child.
• Offering unauthorized rides to an individual child.
• Favouring a child.
COMMUNICATION THAT GOES BEYOND THE WORKER’S
VOLUNTEER/EMPLOYMENT RESPONSIBILITIES AND WITHOUT
CONSENT.
 Spending time with a child outside of designated work times and
activities (except where such activity results from a parent-initiated
request and the activity has been disclosed to and approved by
the appropriate leaders or parents in advance).
 Telling sexual jokes to a child.
 Showing a child sexually explicit or sexist material, signs,
cartoons, calendars, literature, photographs, or displaying such
material in plain view.
 Taking pictures of a child, except when specifically requested to
do so by the organization and provided that only cameras owned
or under the control of the organization are used to take such
pictures.
Recognizing that children need appropriate displays of
affection that reflect pure, genuine and positive displays
of God’s love, appropriate touch of children will be age
and developmentally appropriate. We encourage
Workers to:
• Hold a preschool child who is crying.
• Speak to a child at eye level and listen with your eyes
as well as your ears.
• Hold a child’s hand when speaking, listening or
walking with him/her to an activity.
• Gently hold the child’s shoulder or hand to keep
his/her attention while you redirect the child’s
behaviour.
• Put your arm around the shoulder of a child when
comforting or quieting is needed.
• Pat a child on the head, hand, shoulder or back to
affirm him/her.
•
All touch must be done in view of others.
Recognizing that the innocence of children must be protected,
Workers understand that the following actions are deemed
misconduct and will not be permitted:
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Do not kiss a child or coax a child to kiss you.
Do not engage in extended hugging and tickling.
Do not hold a child’s face when talking to or disciplining the
child.
Do not touch a child in any area that would be covered by a
bathing suit. (strictly prohibited except in cases of diapering
and assisting preschoolers as outlined in washroom
procedures).
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Do not carry children 36 months and older.
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do not allow children 36 months and older on your lap.
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Avoid prolonged physical contact with a child.
Workers are never to be left alone with child/children
SOME OF YOU ASKED THIS:
Regarding inappropriate touch – do not carry children or let
them sit on your lap. I would think this does not apply to
infants. What about toddlers and preschool kids? Some 3
year olds voluntarily sit on workers laps when reading a story
or needing comfort. Is this appropriate?
School-age children
– no carrying, no sitting on laps
Preschool children
– carrying is permitted but sit beside for
stories or comfort – all workers
– carrying is permitted and laps are
permitted but not by male workers
– carrying and laps are permitted.
Toddlers
Nursery
*If a child “plops” into your lap,
do not reject them.
Simply cuddle and lift them
beside you to snuggle up.
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Adhere to the church’s policies and procedures in dealing
with children.
Treat children with respect and dignity.
Treat all allegations or suspicions of sexual misconduct
seriously. It is every Worker’s responsibility to report
allegations or suspicions.
Follow established procedures when reporting any
allegations of misconduct or potential policy violations.
Consider the final outcomes of any behaviour, as well as a
child’s reaction to any activities, conversations, or
interactions so as to avoid embarrassing, shaming, or
humiliating the child.
Establish, respect, and maintain boundaries with all children.
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Engage in any activity that endangers a child or makes a
child feel uncomfortable.
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Engage in any activity that goes against the organization’s
mandate, policies, or code of conduct.
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Make any sort of remark, comment, or joke to/regarding a
child that is in any way suggestive, explicit, or sexual.
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Engage in any sort of physical contact with a child that may
make the child feel uncomfortable, or that violates
reasonable boundaries.
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Conduct their own investigation into allegations or
suspicions of sexual misconduct — it is a Worker’s duty
to report, not to investigate.
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Place a child in danger from anyone, either in or outside
of the church.
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Offer any child “special” treatment that falls outside of
the organization’s mandate, or that may (or may appear
to) lace a child at risk of exploitation.
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The activities they are engaging in with a child are
known to, or approved by leaders, supervisors
and/or parents. Child interactions should not be
kept secret. They should be transparent.
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Activities would raise concerns in the mind of a
reasonable observer as to
their appropriateness.
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The church may be detrimentally affected by the
Workers activities.
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The activity may be reasonably regarded as
posing a risk to the personal integrity or security of
a child.
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The activity may contribute to a child’s discomfort.
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The activity may appear inappropriate to the
church, the child’s family, or the public.
Physical Abuse
 The use of force against a child in such a
way that the child is either injured or at risk of
being injured. Physical abuse can be overtly
aggressive (e.g. beating, hitting, shaking,
pushing, choking, biting, burning, kicking, or
assaulting a child with a weapon) or can be
more subtle and less obvious (e.g. bumping,
pushing, restraining, pinching, squeezing an
arm or leg).
Emotional Abuse
 Emotional abuse is a chronic pattern of behaviour
towards a child that causes negative effects on his/her
emotional development. Examples include verbal
threats, social isolation, ignoring, intimidation, putdowns, exploitation, and unreasonable demands.
 A single episode of name-calling would be considered
inappropriate, but would not necessarily constitute
emotional abuse. Repetitive name-calling or the
intentional damaging of a child’s self-esteem, however,
would be considered abusive. A single incident of high
intensity emotional abuse/trauma would also qualify.
Neglect
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Neglect is the failure to provide basic needs
including physical, educational, emotional, etc.
Neglect can also include such things as failure to
provide proper medical care, adequate clothing or
supervision.
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Child Sexual Abuse
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Any form of adult/child sexualized interaction
constitutes child sexual abuse.
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Contact sexual abuse includes:
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Touching the genital area, over or under clothing
Touching breasts, over or under clothing
Touching another’s genital area
Oral sex
Vaginal or anal penetration with a part of the body or an
object
Sexual abuse of a child may occur through behaviours
that do not involve actual physical contact.
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Non-contact sexual abuse includes:
Invitation to touch another in a sexual way
Voyeurism (i.e. “Peeping Tom”)
Encouraging or forcing a child to masturbate or to
watch others masturbate
Indecent exposure (i.e. “flashing”)
Involving children in the viewing or production of
pornographic materials, or watching sexual activities
Encouraging children to behave in sexually
inappropriate ways
Twisting scriptural truths
to manipulate a child into
behaviors that are
desirable to the adult and
for the adult’s pleasure or
motivation.
Section 72 (1) of the Child and Family Services
Act
 Despite the provisions of any other Act, if a
person, including a person who performs
professional or official duties with respect to
children, has reasonable grounds to suspect
that a child may be in need of protection, they
must make a report directly to CAS
There is no statute of
limitations on child
abuse therefore:
We keep records of
every Sunday
Treehouse Service as
well as every major
event where children
gather with leaders.
CLASS GUIDELINES
Ministry Personnel/Child Ratios:
◦ One Worker for every 3 infants
(birth – 17 months)
◦ One Worker for every 6 toddlers or 8 preschoolers
(ages 18 months – 4 years)
◦ One Worker for every 8 JK/SK children
(ages 4/5)
◦ One Worker for every 10 elementary students
(ages 5+)
◦ Each Ministry Personnel must sign in when entering
the children’s area and sign out when they leave.
Minimum Number
Ratio of
Maximum Number
Employees to
of Children in
Children
Group
Under 17 months
1-3
9
2
18-35 months
1–6
12
2
1-8
16
2
4 / 5 years
1-8
20
2
Grades 1-2
1-10
20
2
Grades 3-5
1-10
20
2
Age of Children in
Group
36months – 3
years
of Workers in a
Group Behind
closed Doors
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Please welcome parents who want to be with their
child as occasional observers as this shows
transparency to newcomers
Occasional observers who join a class – write
down their name in the attendance book and keep
on file with the class attendance for that day.
Observers will be clearly identified and if they
have not been screened and approved they will
not be placed in a position of trust with children
who are not their own.
VISITOR
NO ONE SHOULD EVER BE ALONE
WITH A CHILD IN AN
UNSUPERVISED WASHEROOM
NEVER GO INTO THE CUBICLE WITH A
CHILD AND SHUT THE DOOR.
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Coordinators and Workers are to be encouraged to be certified
and trained in first aid.
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The names and contact information of individuals who are
certified in first aid are to be posted in the Treehouse Blue
Cabinets and Church Office for easy access.
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Coordinators must be informed of any children or youth having
severe allergies. The information will be posted in the children’s
and youth departments for easy, access and Worker who have
the child/youth in their care will be informed.
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The cleaning and sanitation of toys and table surfaces must be
done at least monthly.
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Parents and caregivers are responsible for notifying the
church of any known allergies which their children have.
This information is to be noted on their registration form.
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The notification of severe allergies will be kept in the Class
Binder, a list of his/her allergies and typical signs of
reaction. Worker assigned to care for the child must check
their binder and make themselves aware of the allergy and
the treatment required if a reaction occurs.
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In recognition of individuals with severe peanut allergies,
we will strive to provide a peanut free environment.
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Worker are not to give or apply any medications. Parents are to
be contacted and should administer all medications.
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Medication is not to be left in a classroom. When a child brings
medication, the medication is to be kept in the possession of the
Coordinator or their designate.
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In the extreme case where Epi-pens and puffers are needed for
allergies or asthma, written instructions are to be provided by the
parent or guardian to the Coordinator. Requests should be
written, signed, dated and filed permanently.
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Topical medications for diaper changing purposes are to be used
only when instructed and provided by the parent or guardian.
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Know who has allergies and where their
medications are located
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Keep pager #’s, cell phone numbers (class binder)
and walkie-talkies within reach
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Watch and know how to deal with medications and
epi-pens.
 You
may come into the knowledge of
abuse in two ways:
◦ You have a reasonable suspicion of
abuse.
◦ You hear an allegation of abuse.
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All allegations and/or
suspicions of abuse will be
taken seriously.
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All cases of suspected child
abuse must be investigated.
Speak up for those who
cannot speak for
themselves,
for the rights of all
who are destitute.
speak up and judge fairly;
defend the rights of the
poor and needy.
Proverbs 31:8, 9
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Ensuring that prompt action is taken in regard to
allegations of abuse (and reporting
to child welfare and/or law enforcement agency
and/or parents).
Ensuring we create an environment that
encourages reporting.
Treating all complaints as confidential.
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This policy applies to all Workers of Upper Room
Community Church including full-time, part-time,
contract, temporary or casual, ushers, set-up
crews, elders and those deemed to be in a
position of trust (refers to a position of authority
over another person or a perceived position of
authority )
Workers are required to immediately report all
disclosures, allegations or indicators of sexual
abuse regardless of source or content.
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Take all allegations seriously
Don’t ask leading questions
Don’t contact the accused or any other parties
Reassure the child WITHOUT MAKING
PROMISES
Keep the information confidential
◦ Inform Lead Pastor and Family Ministry Pastor
immediately
◦ They will document your discussion also on
the Suspected Abuse Report Form
◦ They/You report to Children’s Aid Society
◦ Protect confidentiality of victim and the
accused
◦ Cooperate with the investigation
◦ Leave the scrutiny to the professionals
NOTIFY:
Lead Pastor /Family Ministry Pastor
Child Protection Service Newmarket
(905) 895-2318 or 1-800-718-3850
If someone has reasonable grounds to suspect that
a child is or may be in need of protection, they
must make a report directly to a children’s
aid society.
You Asked:
In what situation would I need to report abuse the
Child Welfare Agency on my own? Wouldn’t that
always be done with a pastor?
Answer:
The only situation where you would need to report to the
Agency on your own would be if you had a suspicion of
abuse or heard directly of abuse and your pastor
sloughed it off as unimportant.
It is the law that you report it – regardless of other peoples’
advice - no matter how respected.
WHAT IF ONE OF US IS ACCUSED?
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No access to children or youth
Clear guidelines provided
Discretion - protect reputation – innocent until
proven – need to know sharing
Confidentiality protected
Allow Children’s Aid to investigate
Document the outcome
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ON HEARING 1st Stage Alarm
◦ (slow intermittent signal)
 Prepare To Leave the building
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ON HEARING 2nd Stage Alarm
◦ (rapid intermittent signal)
 LEAVE BUILDING Via Nearest Stair Exit
Take your sign in/out registration binders!
Take your kids!
WORKERS
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Please remember to bring registration books when you exit so
that we have an accurate count of children.
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Inclement weather: Please meet parents at the Ministry Centre.
PARENTS
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May sign their baby/child (Nursery & Toddlers Only) out at the 1st Stage
alarm only.
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Otherwise, meet your baby/child outside in the Courtyard at the front of the
AMC Theatres or, in the case of inclement weather, at the Ministry Centre.
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It is much safer, on hearing the 2nd Stage alarm, to keep the aisles clear and
allow our Workers and Ushers to bring your baby and children outside safely.
Do not leave the Courtyard, Ministry Centre or sign out your children until the
“All-Clear” has been given by Lead Pastor.
“I urge all Christian leaders to be proactive
and ensure that all things are done in
agreement with Paul’s advice to the
Corinthians:
“For we are taking pains to do
what is right, not only in the eyes of the
Lord but also in the eyes of man.”
Christian ministries must be a model for the world in how
we handle the potential for abuse.”
– John Pellowe, CEO
Canadian Council of Christian Charities
“Children have neither power nor property.
Voices other than their own must speak for
them. If those voices are silent, then children
who are victims of abuse may . . . taste the
bitter emptiness of violated childhoods.”
Abuse Prevention Newsletter 2005,3
“Our ability to reach people
is directly related to how
well we care
for their children.”
– Rev. Bill Hybels,
Willow Creek Community Church
Father, you have gathered us to show your great
love for the children and workers in our care. This
is a high and holy calling for which we need your
help.
Give us wisdom to avoid every kind of evil as we
serve in your name. Help us to be as wise a
serpents with our policies, plans and procedures,
yet as innocent as doves with our delight in
nurturing these children.
Help us not to do anything that would cause any
of the children in our care to sin, stumble or
become distrustful of You.
Rather, help us by our attitudes and actions, to
help them grow in their faith and knowledge of
you Lord Jesus – it is in Your beloved name
that we serve. AMEN.