Introduction:
Ministry to children and young people is vibrant and exciting work, and also greatly significant to the life of the church. Teaching children and young people about Jesus is kingdom work. It is a service to the children and young people, the church family, and to God himself that offers great opportunities, but also carries significant responsibilities for the wellbeing of the children and young people in our care. If we as a church take the teaching and leadership of children and young people seriously then we must do all we can to provide an environment that is safe from any form of harm.
The Anglican Church Diocese of Sydney wants its ministries to be characterised by grace and forgiveness, not rules and regulations; but the Bible is concerned that leaders have a particularly high standard in their personal life. Unfortunately, not all Christians have protected children and young people in the past. This policy has been developed so that as far as possible, such crimes will not be committed in future of our church ministries.
Here at Village Church Annandale, we…
(Please note that except where a particular age bracket is indicated, or a distinction is drawn between children and young people, references to children in this document are references to anyone under the age of 18).
Responsibilities of the Senior Pastor:
The Senior Pastor is ultimately responsible for maure ministry conducted throughout the parish is safe for children and young people. In order to faithfully execute his responsibilities with regard to safe ministry, the Senior Pastor needs to:
Complete training:
The Senior Pastor must complete Safe Ministry training at the required intervals. He must have satisfactorily completed Safe Ministry training within the last three years before beginning his work, or within three months of his licence being issued. He must complete the training every three years while the licence continues.
Implement and appoint:
The Senior Pastor must implement the Safe Ministry Policy and, with the agreement of the Parish Council, appoint a Safe Ministry Representative for the parish.
Village Church Annandale is committed to the physical, emotional and spiritual welfare and safety of all people, particularly within its own community. To ensure the safety of children and vulnerable people in our communities, Village Church Annandale, in conjunction with the Anglican Church of Australia, will:
Carefully recruit and train its staff and church volunteers;
Adopt and encourage safe ministry practices by its staff and church volunteers;
Respond promptly to each concern raised about the behaviour of its staff and church volunteers;
Offer pastoral support to any person who has suffered abuse, and;
Provide supervision of and pastoral accountability (within the context of the ministries, locations and activities of the parish) to any person (who is a member of a congregation and) who is known to have abused a child or another vulnerable person.
Comply:
In conjunction with the Wardens, the Senior Pastor must make sure the parish complies with its obligations under the Child Protection (Working with Children) Act 2012 (NSW)
Core Guidelines for Children’s and Youth Ministries:
The senior minister will generally be responsible for the recruitment and training of leaders appointed for children’s and youth ministry, although he may delegate the responsibility. This person is also responsible for appropriately screening leaders before they are approved.
Leaders should be trained in all responsibilities of caring for children and young people, treating them properly and reporting reasonably suspected child abuse.
The designated area and its contents should be safe and suitable for the particular ministry activity. Consider particular:
The proximity of roads and traffic;
Availability of toilet facilities;
Enough room for appropriate activities, (e.g. games and craft);
Safety glass at floor level;
Possibility of grounds where games will be played littered with dangerous objects, e.g. discarded needles or broken glass;
Suitability of equipment being used;
A fire extinguisher or fire blanket should be available;
Any heating should present no danger to the children;
Electrical wiring, sockets and appliances should be maintained in a safe condition, and sockets should be child-proofed.
In the case of children’s activities, parents should complete a registration form, giving details of:
Names, addresses and phone numbers of child and parents;
Name and phone number of a contact person in an emergency situation;
Important medical information, (e.g. allergies, disabilities, special diets);
Names of people allowed to collect the child (carefully not if there is a non-custodial parent to whom the child should never be handed over);
Permission for leaders to obtain medical treatment in an emergency.
A well-stocked first aid kit should be kept hand. At least one leader should be able to administer first aid, (e.g. having done a St John Ambulance First Aid Course).
When administering first aid, at least two leaders should be present and any treatment documented. Parents should be informed of any injury as soon as possible.
Be careful with hygiene. Anyone handling food, including children, should wash their hands first or wear disposable gloves. Activities or games should not encourage unhygienic practices, (e.g. using a the same spoon in a team game that requires putting the spoon in mouths).
Leaders should not physically discipline a child. Consequences that do not include corporal punishment can be imposed on children for overstepping stated boundaries.
Primary-aged children should be able to visit the toilet on their own. Preschoolers and infants should be accompanied by a female leader. The leader should avoid, if at all possible, being alone with the child in the toilets - take another leader or child with you.
Be on alert for people wandering around - a person unknown to the leaders should not be allowed access to children or young people.
As much as possible, leaders should work in pairs. If that is difficult because of a lack of leaders, groups should meet where they can be clearly seen by others.
Male leaders should be particularly aware of their behaviour towards children and young people, keeping unavoidable physical contact to a minimum. Children should not sit on male leaders’ laps.
Very Young Children (0-5yo) and Physical Contact:
Age and stage development:
In regard to their proper development, very young boys and girls are highly dependant on touch for communication, security, learning, comfort, and a growing understanding of heir world.
Touch has always been an important element in the care and nurturing of young children. This means that in dealing with them, we must be very aware of their needs at particular ages and stages.
0-2yo:
The issues are fairly clear-cut.
If a baby or infant is crying or distressed, our most likely response would be to pick them up, talk in reassuring tones, and hold them in order to comfort them. We should also check as best we can to discern the cause of their tears, (e.g. hungry, soiled nappy, or temporary separation from parents), and if possible take appropriate action to overcome their discomfort, which may include holding them for a period.
Within Christian ministry contexts, huggin, sitting on one’s lap, rocking, carrying, rubbing or patting backs, and hand-holding are acceptable responses with this age group.
3-5yo:
Children in this age group are developing a greater sense of self-awareness and independence.
If a 3-5yo is crying or distressed, the first response may be to give them an open hug with appropriate words in order to comfort them. We would still check for the cause, perhaps engaging them in conversation in order to understand their upset.
Other appropriate action may include having them sit with you or join in an activity, or undertake a task of their choice within the limits of their ability.
The preferred strategy for this age group is to redirect their attention and energies to some other worthwhile pursuit, (e.g. reading a book, playing a game, craft).
Except for safety reasons, (e.g. personal injury), boys and girls have the right to refuse touch, especially as they gain a sense of their own identity and preferences. It is also highly recommended that females rather than males and experienced over inexperienced carers administer first aid and assist toileting. Assistance in toileting should occur only when needed, as children of this age would generally be toilet-trained.
In situations where the parents are readily accessible, (e.g. creche), they should be sought to administer first aid or undertake toileting. In all cases, physical contact, whatever form it takes, should be respectful of children and their rights.
Encouraging independence:
Part of our job in any ministry context is to help children grow and learn, shifting responsibility for action and helpt to them.
We should encourage independent self-help skills, especially in relation for personal hygiene, rather than leaping in to provide physical assistance.
As they grow, we can ask them questions about clothing themselves, getting drinks or eating, but at the level they can manage.
It is good for growing healthy self-esteem to have children act on their own behalf with some adult assistance, rather than become dependant on adults to do everything for them.
It is important to find out what they want, especially in relation to comforting young children, and letting them have a say in what the see will be helpful as they grow older.
Personal care and first aid:
Personal care may be involve cleansing, dressing and rest-time routines. These should always be carried out gently and respectfully. Assisting with face-washing, hand-washing, changing clothes, examining sore spots and blowing noses will all require appropriate touch.
Incidental contact with genital areas might occur for the purpose of personal hygiene such as nappy changing, toilet training and personal hygiene. Experienced and female leaders are generally recommended to carry out these tasks if parents are not available.
First aid when administered should be undertaken by two people with accompanying verbal explanation and appariopraue comforating.
Cultural awareness:
We also need to be aware of differences in terms of what is acceptable especially to children of parents who have recently arrived in Australia, (e.g. taboos on touching the head, restrictions concerning touch between males and females).
It would be wise to undertake training in cross-cultural issues such as that conducted by Anglicare (especially in communities where families are drawn from a variety of cultures).
Carers and ministry leaders, would also be well advised to consult directly with parents if they have any concerns or questions regarding cross-cultural matters and in particular when a child is stressed, suffers from asthma or is injured.
Child initiated touch:
Often young children take the initiative and seek out physical contact, especially with a well-known and trusted adult figure. In each case, the paramount issue is the need of the child.
We must learn to provide appropriate responses to their behaviour.
Quick contact within the range of acceptable responses identified above is all that is required in many cases.
With the very young we will generally respond by providing a reassuring open hug or something similar.
As children grow older and more independant, we will seek to engage them in appropriate pursuits, providing comfort and reassurance more by veral means, nearness to them and facial expressions.
More insistent demands by children mean that we need to seek out causes and where possible address them.
Other expression of care and love:
Often while physical closeness is a pleasant experience for both adult and child, in a ministry context of caring for young children, we need to be very careful in relation to physical contact.
For many children their need for expressions of love and care may be better met through:
Words of encouragement;
Giving them quality time and attention;
Providing tangible objects for them to play with ot manipulate;
Directly addressing the causes of their discomfort by taking appropriate action.
While tickling can be an acceptable form of playful touch in some contexts, we recommend it be avoided in ministry contexts, because it can all too easily get ‘out of hand’. Furthermore, other children often misinterpret unequal attentiveness to a demanding child as favouritism.
Challenging behaviours:
It must be acknowledged that amongst the very young, overt instances of challenging behaviors can occur. Our response then:
May need to be quite firm;
Will always involve clear words identifying what the issues are;
Could require some level of physical restraint if there is a danger that the child may injure others or themselves.
The general advice in taking necessary restraining actio is to, where possible, hold the child at arm’s length from behind, facing away from yourself and any others in the immediate surrounds until he or she settles down. Any words spoken should be clear and calm, avoiding shouting or raised pitch. Such incidents should be reported to the child's parents with an explanation of the restraint.
Acceptable contact with young children (0-5yo):
It is necessary to take into account the time, place and leaders involved as well as the aims of the ministry to the young children in your care when considering how best to demonstrate love to them. The following forms of physical contact would be appropriate in settings for babies, toddlers and preschoolers in a mid-week group run as a church ministry, (e.g. toddler group), or part of a church ministry, (e.g. childcare for a women’s bible study group), or in Sunday morning ministries, (e.g. creche):
Open huggin, to welcome or comfort;
Sitting beside a leader / caregiver to read a book;
Sitting on a leader’s / caregiver’s lap to check discomfort or ill health;
Rocking, to comfort or settle down;
Patting the top of the child’s back, to reassure or praise;
Carrying for a short period, to reassure if hurt or facilitate separation from a parent;
Holding hands, to guide or reassure;
Holding firmly from behind, to restrain or prevent injury.
Unacceptable forms of physical contact:
Slapping, hitting or shaking;
Forceful grabbing or picking up;
Intentional touching of genital areas.
We must re-iterate in the context of ministry where we are responsible for children entrusted to our care, that under no circumstance should they be left alone or unsupervised for any period of time whatsoever. We repeat our earlier recommendation that there are always at least two people on duty in the context of a caring situation with younger children, for safety and any emergencies, in the best interests of members of the group, and for our own protection as responsible ministry leaders.
Creche / Nursery:
In addition to the Core Guidelines the designated area and its contents should be safe for toddlers:
This area is securely fenced off or contained in a room;
Electrical appliances are not used near water or where children can reach the controls or dangling cords;
All equipment and toys are safe to use, and appropriate for the age, especially climbing equipment;
Cupboards at child height should have safety or child-proof locks;
Flooring should be non-slip and splinter-free.
Be aware of issues of hygiene. If a child vomits or soils an area of the creche / nursery, the area should be disinfected as soon as possible. Toys and equipment should be cleaned regularly.
A child in creche / nursery should never be smacked. Speak firmly and gently to the child and speak to the parents later is necessary. If it is necessary to restrain a child for the purpose of safety, use only the minimum force.
Children should be adequately supervised at all times
Smoking should not be permitted in the creche / nursery area.
Children should never leave the creche / nursery area unless accompanied by the adult responsible for them.
Where possible, parents should change nappies and take children to the toilet otherwise it should be an experienced female leader.
Train leaders into the habit of thinking through implications of every activity that is planned for the children. What could possibly go wrong? What are the inherent dangers?
The appointment of the Creche / Nursery Supervisor is generally the responsibility of the Senior Minister.
A copy of emergency procedures should be displayed clearly in a prominent place (e.g. ‘if fire breaks out…’).
Playtimes / Toddler Groups:
The designated area and its contents should be safe for the preschoolers who will be attending. As well as the Core Guidelines, take into consideration:
The area should be securely fenced off or contained in a room;
Electrical appliances should not be used near water or where children can reach the controls or dangling cords;
All equipment and toys should be safe for use, and appropriate for the age, especially climbing equipment;
Flooring should be non-slip and splinter-free;
Have a designated area for strollers and prams that are not in use.
Have a storage area where equipment can be locked away.
Tea and coffee-making facilities for the adults should be kept out of the reach of the children.
The leader or coordinator of the toddler group should be appointed by the minister / pastor and appropriately screened in line with the Core Guidelines.
Draw up an information sheet for parents and carers that includes:
Registration details;
Ways they can help, (e.g. setting out equipment, tidying up, making morning tea or snacks for the children, running an activity);
Group guidelines, (e.g. no bikes near the baby area, no smoking at toddler group);
Expectations on the parent and carer, (e.g. discipline your own child and nobody else’s).
Kids Clubs:
Parents should be given an information document about the club, giving details of:
The purpose and philosophy of the club;
The names and phone numbers of the leaders of the club;
The procedure that is to be followed in a medical emergency;
The principles to be used in group management including disciplinary procedures;
The qualifications / training of the leaders;
The costs involved, and uniforms if applicable;
The times and the scope of activities of the club.
Make clear to parents that it is their responsibility to transport children to and from the site.
Parents should be kept informed of the programmes of the club, and any sudden changes that may need to be made.
Any videos to be shown as a club activity should be viewed by a responsible leader to assess their suitability. Censorship ratings should be kept to ‘G’ or ‘PG’, unless specific permission is granted by the senior minister. Parents should be informed if a video is to be screened.
Children should be supervised at all times to prevent, (e.g. bullying from other children).
In choosing games to play in the club consider levels of safety and intimacy. They should be safe, minimising the risk of injury, and they should not cause embarrassment to the children.
Smoking should not be allowed on the club site.
Train leaders into the habit of thinking through the implications of all the activities. What could go wrong? Is this dangerous?
Sunday Ministries:
Areas for different age groups should be allowed on their suitability, safety, proximity to toilets and ease of supervision. Try to have an enclosed area for preschool children.
Safety of the area should take into account:
Any equipment not being used by children. Stacked tables and chairs, electrical equipment, maintenance tools, etc. should be safely barricaded off form the children;
If the floor is generally uncarpeted, a carpet square or something similar be provided for children to sit on.
Parents should be kept informed of details about the Sunday group, (e.g. names of leaders, current and future curriculum, special events coming up, etc.).
Equipment used should be safe for the age group using it.
Use of equipment should be supervised at all times, (e.g. scissors for preschoolers).
Be sensitive to parents by being careful about children’s clothing, (e.g. wearing paint shirts or aprons when painting, or avoiding extra rough games).
Have clearly thought out procedures for the conclusion of the programme:
Preschoolers and infants generally will need to be collected by parents.
Will primary aged children be dismissed? Or will they need to be supervised until parents collect them?
Parents should know what the procedures will be.
If the Sunday School is held off-site, there should be clear guidelines and procedures to follow. The following issues need to be thought through.
Are children taken there by parents or leaders?
How are children collected?
How is communication maintained between off-site groups and main congregation?
Day Away Activities:
As well as the permission note from the Core Guidelines, leaders should prepare a detailed information form for:
Parents, indicating;
Place to which group is going;
Times for departure and return;
Means for travel;
Level of supervision;
Purpose of trip and nature of activities cost.
Children or youth should know a predetermined meeting place that they can return to, if they become separated from the group.
Children should be counted (or a roll call taken) before leaving and at several times through the day, especially at transition points such as moving from place to place, or onto a form of transport.
There should be adequate staff for supervising the type of group that you are taking away, (e.g. more leaders will be needed for a day trip for children than for a youth group trip).
If possible, leaders should carry a mobile phone, especially if travelling to an area where public phones will be scarce.
If travelling in leaders’ cars, drivers should be chosen accordingly to level of maturity and good driving record. Seatbelts should always be used.
Develop a critical incident policy. What needs to happen, and who will be responsible if an incident occurs on an outing?
The activity should be recognised as an activity of a properly constituted church group. Details should be given to the minister or other appropriate staff member before the event. This may also be relevant for insurance purposes.
Church Based Activities:
Enough leaders should be available to deal with the number of children that could attend.
If extra helpers have been co-opted from the congregation for the occasion, they should be informed of the responsibility they have for the children and have signed relevant documentation, (e.g. Working With Children Check).
There should be contingency plans in place in case of larger than expected numbers.
The site should be secure and safe for the activity.
If parents are leaving their children, they should complete a registration form.
Parents should be informed of time to pick their children up.
Children should be supervised at all times.
Each child and leader should have a name badge, and leaders’ badges should carry the church logo and role title, (e.g. Primary Leader, Infants Helper).
Stay Away Activities:
An information document should be prepared for parents and caregivers, giving details of:
Venue of the activity;
Sleeping arrangements;
Supervising personnel;
Purpose of the activity;
Costs;
Times of departure and return;
Means of travel;
Clothing and equipment to be taken.
Strict segregation of male and female sleeping quarters should be maintained. Each area should be supervised by two people of the same sex as the children or young people in them.
An adult should not share accommodation with only one child or youth.
Leaders should not be left alone with a child of either sex.
Leaders and group members should respect the privacy of others during activities that require undressing, etc. Be careful, especially at times of showering.
Nude swimming or other similar activities should be forbidden.
Any activity should have defined boundaries that are easily observed and patrolled. Leaders should avoid situations where it is possible to become physically isolated with children or young people.
No cigarettes, alcohol, drugs or any other harmful objects should be allowed. Leaving kids unsupervised for any length of time will make this difficult to determine.
Leaders should avoid being private or secretive with the young people in their care.
Holiday Activities:
The site for the activity should be secure - make sure that young children cannot wander away either accidentally or deliberately.
Registration forms should available for each child who attends the activity.
On the first day of registration, parents should be given information about the activity:
The names and phone numbers of the leaders of the activity;
Procedure that is to be followed in a medical emergency;
Principles to be used in group management, (e.g. disciplinary procedures);
Qualifications of the leaders;
Details about costing;
Details about the beginning and ending times of the activity.
As a number of casual volunteers are likely to be involved in an activity such as this, they should be aware of their responsibilities as well.
Each child should have a name badge to be worn at all times.
Each staff member should have a name badge for identification as well. The badge could have the church’s logo and either ‘Staff’ or ‘Team Member’ on it. Then, any adult on the premises without a name badge can be approached for the purpose of enquiry.
Because many of these children will come from outside the church community, leaders should be absolutely scrupulous in their policy of non-touching.
If no permanent phone is available on the site a mobile phone should be kept by one of the leaders.
Youth Group:
The site should be adequate for the activities of a group of teenagers.
Leaders should be aware of their positions as role models to young people, so they should be very careful of their standards of dress, language, driving and other habits. Lewd and suggestive language should be avoided completely.
Leaders should not be responsible for driving young people home. If it is absolutely necessary, have another leader with you, and wherever possible, obtain parental permission before doing so.
Leaders who drive motor vehicles should be selected for their skill, maturity and experience.
A leader should not be left alone with a young person (e.g. at the end of a programme or in a car).
Leaders should not visit the home of a group member if the parents are absent.
The suitability of activities should be assessed according to the level of risk involved and the qualifications of the leaders. This is especially pertinent in choosing games. Will the game be embarrassing in its level of physical contact? Does it encourage unhygienic practice? Is it capable of being dangerously rough?
Young people should be supervised at all times.
In the event of personal or spiritual counselling, female leaders should counsel females, male leaders should counsel males. These meetings should always be seen or known about by others.
Leaders should not establish such an exclusive relationship with the young people in their group that those young people find it difficult to relate to other leaders, parents or ministry staff. Leaders should encourage the young people in their care to relate widely, so as to avoid the development of a ‘guru’ or ‘sect’ mentality.
Leaders should always review visual used in programming, especially films and videos. Remember that the censorship ratings should be an absolute minimum, and therefore ‘R’ and ‘MA’ should be totally off limits. Other films with lesser classifications may still contain material that runs counter to the Christian message and ethic, (e.g. offensive language, unnecessary violence, sexual innuendo, and depictions of sex scenes).
Conference and Conventions:
The activities at the conference or convention should be suitable for the age group that will be attending.
Parents should be aware of the nature of the topics that will be dealt with the conference or convention.
See ‘Day Away Activities’ and ‘Stay Away Activities’ sections for more information.
Site Based Camping:
Check with the site authorities’ rules or guidelines to ensure that your group is keeping within those guidelines.
See ‘Stay Away Activities’ section for more information.
Social Media:
We want to encourage healthy, appropriate, relationships with the children and young people we lead. Depending on the age of the children this can at times involve contacting them outside of the main programme and can include calling, talking online and meeting in person. While some conversations are private it is important that relationships are transparent; parents and church leaders should be aware of the relationships that exist between leaders and the children and youth even if they are not aware of every conversation.
Below is a list of recommendations for social contact beyond the structures of the regular programme.
Faithfulness in Service:
5.32 - When meeting a child privately you should:
Have parental and guardian consent, where practicable;
Ensure where appropriate that a parent, guardian or suitable adult is present;
Inform another member of the clergy, an adult church worker or another adult of the time, location and duration of the meeting;
Not invite or have children to your home or visit children in their home when no other adult is present, and;
Make a record of the time, location, duration, and circumstances of any meeting where it is impracticable to follow these guidelines.
Gender:
Leaders should limit their contact with students of the opposite gender.
During a programme, leaders should focus their attention on young people of the same gender.
Contact outside of the programme should be by someone of the same gender.
It is appropriate to send generic invitations or reminders to young people of the opposite gender.
Primary School Students (K-Yr6):
Any phone contact should be for ministry purposes only. It should be with parents and then, if appropriate, with the child, (e.g. if the child answers the phone the leader should speak to the parent first and explain why they are calling then speak to the child if appropriate). You should never contact a primary student on their mobile phone. SMS can be sent to the parents or guardians mobile for logistical purposes, (e.g. event reminder).
Online contact must be limited to logistical purposes, (e.g. information on the church website).
It is inappropriate to talk to with primary students on a social networking site or email.
Email can be sent to the parents or guardians for logistical purposes. More significant conversations should be held in person.
It is never appropriate to meet primary children socially unless it is in the context of socialising with the child’s family.
Junior High School Students (Yr7-9):
Any phone contact should be for ministry purposes only. It should be with parents and then, if appropriate, with the young person, (e.g. if the young person answers the phone the leader should speak to the parent first and explain why they are calling). You should never call a Year 7-9 student on their mobile phone.
SMS should be limited to logistical purposes, (e.g. don’t forget event this week).
Email should be limited to logistical purposes and basic encouragement. All email should be sent to the young person with a BCC or CC to a senior leader, (e.g. Senior Minister), for accountability, safe keeping and future reference. If at all possible more significant conversation should be held in person.
It is never appropriate to physically meet Year 7-9 students socially without or verbal permission from the parents and discussing it with your ministry supervisor first.
Caution must be used when communicating with young people online. You must maintain transparency and be accountable for what you say. You must also take care with the message you intend to communicate through both the words and images you use as it may be perceived differently by those who view it.
Youth group members, their friends and parents should be directed to the church or youth groups official social media account, (e.g. Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat). Caution should be observed with the use of any sites that delete posts, images and comments. These accounts should be only used in a one directional manner, (e.g. the church Snapchat account must not add, follow or comment on any follower account). The information posted online should be limited to logistical purposes and basic encouragement. There should be at least two designated leaders whose role it is to moderate each account for accountability.
Leaders can use closed (not secret) Facebook groups. The information posted on these groups should be logistics, encouragement and prayer. There should be at least two designated leaders whose role it is to moderate the group for accountability. A senior leader, (e.g. Youth Minister, Senior Minister), should be informed of all groups. Leaders should never have a group with students only of the opposite gender.
Where possible youth should be directed to a group account rather than a leader’s individual account. Where an individual’s account is used this should occur in consultation with a senior leader, (e.g. Youth Minister, Senior Minister). Strict guidelines should be developed when using this type of site. These would include but are not limited to:
Youth should initiate friendships, following or adding to their account, not leaders;
Ensure any text posted online is beyond reproach and cannot be misconstrued;
Ensure all photos and videos posted or tagged are beyond reproach and cannot be misconstrued;
There should be no private contact or conversations with any student in Years 7-9;
No leader should use a social media platform for leader to youth interactions that allows anonymity, (e.g. AskFM, KiK messenger, etc.);
No leader should use a social media platform for leader to youth interactions that deletes posts, images or comments, (e.g. Snapchat);
No leader should use video calling for leader to youth interactions.
Senior High School Students (Yr10-12):
Phone contact is permissible for ministry purposes however long conversations are to be avoided.
SMS is permissible and should be for logistical purposes and encouragement, (e.g. praying for you today).
Email should be limited to logistical purposes and basic encouragement. All email should be sent to the young person with a BCC or CC to a senior leader, (e.g. Senior Leader), for accountability, safe keeping and future reference. If at all possible more significant conversations should be held in person.
Leaders can meet with same gender students or in mixed groups casually in public places, (e.g. coffee at McDonald’s). Parents and the supervisor of the ministry should be aware of the meeting and its purpose.
Youth group members, their friends and parents should be directed to the church or youth group official social media account, (e.g. Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat). Caution should be observed with the use of any sites that delete posts, images and comments. These accounts should be only used in a one directional manner, (e.g. the church Snapchat account must not add, follow or comment on any followers account). The information posted online should be limited to logistical purposes and basic encouragement. There should be at least two designated leaders whose role it is to moderate each account for accountability.
Leaders can use closed (not secret) Facebook groups. The information posted on these groups should be for logistics, encouragement and prayer. There should be at least two designated leaders whose role it is to moderate the group for accountability. A senior leader, (e.g. Youth Minister, Senior Minister), should be informed of all groups. Leaders should never have a group with students only of the opposite gender.
Where possible youth should be directed to a group account rather than a leader’s individual account. Where an individual’s account is used this should occur in consultation with a senior leader, (e.g. Youth Minister, Senior Minister), Strict guidelines should be developed when using this type of site. These would include but are not limited to:
initiate friendships, following or adding to their account, not leaders;
Ensure any text posted online is beyond reproach and cannot be misconstrued;
Ensure all photos and videos posted or tagged are beyond reproach and cannot be misconstrued;
All private conversations must be recorded and never deleted;
No leader should use a social media platform for leader to youth interactions that allows anonymity, (e.g. AskFM, KiK messenger, etc.);
No leader should use a social media platform for leader to youth interactions that deletes posts, images or comments, (e.g. Snapchat);
No leader should use video calling for leader to youth interactions.
Caution must be used when communicating with young people online. You must maintain transparency and be accountable for what you say. You must also take care with the message you intend to communicate through both the words and images you use as it may be perceived differently by those who view it.
Photographs:
We often want to take photos as part of life together however the use and storage of these images must be carefully considered.
An appointed leader should take photos of children’s and youth ministry activities. Photos should be saved to a secure location as soon as practical and kept secure, (i.e. burnt to DVD or stored on an external hard drive and clearly labelled). The photos should then be deleted from the leader’s camera or phone and any online storage, (e.g. the cloud).
Leaders should not be taking photos of children or youth during ministry activities for any reason other than official ministry purposes which have been clearly discussed with the ministry leader.
When taking photos:
Do not photograph any child or youth without parental consent;
Do not photograph any child or youth who has asked not to be photographed;
Focus on small groups rather than individuals;
All children or youth must be appropriately dressed when photographed;
Embarrassing or possibly degrading photos must be deleted immediately;
Children and youth should only take photos of ministry leaders as part of a group.
When using photos of children or youth in print or online:
Seek written permission annually from parents / guardian, (e.g. registration form), before posting photos of children / youth on the church website or social media;
Avoid identifying the person / people in the photograph in physical publications;
Do not tag youth in pictures online. Youth will often tag themselves;
Ministry leaders need to monitor the church’s social media to ensure photos and comments are appropriate.
Video Phoning (Mobile Phone / Internet):
Church workers should not enter into conversations of this nature with children / youth.
Transport Policy:
Faithfulness in Service:
5.1 - Children are entitled to be safe and protected. They have the right to be respected, listened to and their particular needs addressed in all church activities, whether mixed aged or child specific.
5.4 - When they are exercising a pastoral ministry involving children in a church body, clergy and church workers, (e.g. Sunday School teachers, youth group leaders), have responsibility for the safety and welfare of the children in their care.
Our desire is to honour God by being above reproach in all things, erring on the conservative, and taking due responsibility for our care of young lives.
Transport between homes and the church site before / after youth group or Sunday School activity:
It is the responsibility of parents / guardians to either provide lifts or arrange alternative transport for their children to and from regular children's / youth group events.
Transport while on children’s / youth group events:
Written permission from parents / guardians is to be obtained before children / youth travel in a vehicle driven by a person other than their parent / guardian.
Only drivers on green P’s or higher are to transport children / youth from the church site to the event or to the church site from any event.
All drivers must be responsible and not impaired by alcohol or any other mind altering or addictive substance.
All motor vehicles used must be registered, insured, safe and fitted with appropriate child restraints or safety devices.
Child protection:
To the extent practicable a children’s / youth leader is not to be alone in a car with a member of the children’s / youth group even with parental permission, except where the child / youth is a family member. If such a situation is unavoidable, another adult must be informed of the trip and the reason for it.