Central Bible Church

Safe Kids Policy





Central Bible Church
Safe Kids/Safe Workers Policy



Table of Contents

Introduction

Definition of Terms

Policy Guidelines and Procedures for Children and Youth Ministries

Policy Regarding Ministry Opportunities for Past Child Abusers

Incident Reporting Process and Forms (On C.B.C. property or at a C.B.C. event)

Suspected Physical, Mental, Sexual Abuse Reporting Procedure (Non-C.B.C. related)


Introduction

When people brought little children to Jesus, "He took them in His arms and blessed them" (Matthew 10:16). Jesus also warned of the most serious consequences for anyone who would harm them (Luke 17:2). Because we recognize that we are a reflection of God’s love to those in our care, we take seriously our responsibility to them. We view ourselves as partners with parents, seeking to provide quality care and instruction in our ministry with children of all ages. The following guidelines are set forth to provide a safe and nurturing environment in which we can bring our children to the Savior. Everyone who teaches, helps or cares for children under the sponsorship of Central Bible Church must understand and follow these policies and procedures. In addition, the following guidelines are meant to protect our Staff and Volunteer workers from false accusations. This policy also provides our workers with training that will help them to recognize abuse or neglect and with standardized reporting procedures.

The local church is increasingly coming under attack in the courts for a variety of reasons. One major area of litigation has been accusations of child sexual abuse against a church employee or volunteer worker. When abuse is proven, churches without abuse prevention policies are being deemed negligent and plaintiffs are often awarded huge financial settlement figures that exceed the church’s liability insurance policies.

Because most churches do not have abuse prevention policies, they have become increasingly targeted by sexual predators. Some of the reasons are:

1. Churches have a history of trust and are unsuspecting. When questions are raised about a particular worker, leaders may ignore the evidence rather than question the worker.

2. Most schools, secular youth organizations and Day Care Centers now screen potential workers while most churches still do not, allowing predators to have easy access to children.

3. Church functions provide ideal opportunities for unmonitored, personal contact between adults and minors and the risk dramatically increases for overnight activities.

4. Child molesters are drawn to institutions where immediate access to potential victims in an atmosphere of complete trust exists. The church is at the top of this list.

5. Most churches continually struggle to get qualified children and youth workers and volunteer turnover rates are often very high. This sometimes makes leaders reluctant to implement a proper screening process.
 

Definition of Terms
  • Adult: A person at least 18 years of age.


  • Child or Youth: A person under 18 years of age.


  • Staff Member: Any person serving at Central Bible Church in an official paid capacity. This Safe Kids/Safe Workers Policy applies to any staff member ministering in the Nursery, Awana Clubs, Children’s Church, Sunday School, Children’s Music Programs, Youth Groups and any other ministry involving a person under age 18.


  • Volunteer Worker: Any person serving at Central Bible Church in an unpaid capacity. This Safe Kids/Safe Workers Policy applies to any volunteer worker ministering in the Nursery, Awana Clubs, Children’s Church, Sunday School, Children’s Music Programs,
    Youth Groups and any other ministry involving a person under age 18.

  • Screened Worker: Any Staff or Volunteer Worker who has completed the application process and been approved to work with a Children’s or Youth ministry.


  • Serious Physical Injury: Any injury that:

    1. causes the child severe pain; or


    2. significantly impairs the child’s physical functioning, either temporarily or permanently.

  • Serious Mental Injury: A psychological condition, as diagnosed by a licensed physician or licensed psychologist, including the refusal of appropriate treatment that:

    • 1. renders the child chronically and severely anxious, agitated, depressed, socially withdrawn, psychotic or in reasonable fear that the child’s life or safety is threatened; or

    2. seriously     interferes with a child’s ability to accomplish age-appropriate developmental and social tasks.

  • Sexual Abuse or Exploitation: The employment, use, persuasion, inducement, enticement of any child to engage in or assist any other person to engage in any sexually explicit conduct or any stimulation of any sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing any visual depiction, including pornography , videotaping, computer depicting or filming of any sexually explicit conduct or the rape, sexual assault, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, aggravated indecent assault, molestation, incest, indecent exposure, prostitution, statutory sexual assault or other form of sexual exploitation
     

Policy Guidelines and Procedures for Children and Youth Ministries

All Staff Members and Volunteer Workers wishing to be involved in the children’s ministries at Central Bible Church must complete the Application Process.
There are four steps to the Application Process:

1. Each children’s and youth worker will complete the "Safe Kids/Safe Workers” Application. The applicant must have been attending Central Bible Church regularly for a minimum, of six months.

2. Upon receipt of the Application an Elder of Central Bible Church will contact the references provided by the Applicant. (NOTE: References will not be checked for current children’s and youth workers as of 8/2004.) An Elder may arrange an interview with the applicant. The application process may include a police record background check. The Senior Pastor and the Elders will recommend approval or disapproval of each applicant based on their review of the application. The Elders will present their recommendation to the Official Board at a regular Board Meeting for final approval.

3. Each children’s and youth worker will agree to attend a “Safe Kids — Safe Workers Seminar.” Two or three dates will be scheduled each year from which the Worker may select one to attend.

4. The completed Application will be held in the strictest confidence by Central Bible Church. It will be seen only by the Elders and the Senior Pastor. The Applicant will complete the application and seal it in the manila envelope that accompanies the application and give it to an Elder or to the Senior Pastor. The Elders and Senior Pastor will open the envelope and review the application. The applications will be sealed in a new manila envelope and will be stored in the church safe.

The Church Secretary will keep a current list of all the screened workers in a file in the Church Office.

Any person whose Application Process identifies him or her as having an “indicated” case (A Manual for Mandated Reporters. Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, October 2000, page 10) of child abuse or neglect in his or her background will NOT be allowed to serve in any capacity with children or youth at Central Bible Church.
All Staff members and Volunteer workers are required to attend a risk reduction training meeting annually.

At all Children’s and Youth meetings there is to be a minimum of two adult Staff or Volunteer Workers (one screened) on the premises.

Two adult workers will be present with the children or youth at all times. However, it is acceptable for only one adult screened worker to be present during classroom situations if the classroom door is kept open or a window is available for the activities be occasionally monitored.  

Van Drivers must be screened Staff or Volunteer Workers. There should be a minimum of two adults (Driver screened) in the van. Also the driver should be at least 25 years old and have a valid Illinois Drivers License with a good driving record.

Restroom Guidelines for Children’s Ministries:

1. It is recommended that bathroom breaks be taken as a whole group

2. When a single child needs to use the bathroom, an adult (of the same gender) should escort the child to the restroom and wait outside the door. If the child absolutely needs help, try to get another adult to be with you, leave the door open when you enter the restroom to help the child.

3. In the nursery, diaper changing is done only in designated areas by a screened Worker.
 

Policy Regarding Ministry Opportunities for Past Child Abusers

No known child abusers may be hired for a paid staff position at Central Bible Church or participate in any ministry involving children or youth.
A child abuser should seek Biblical counseling and it would be recommended that he/she be part of an accountability/support group of same-sex people.
There are ministry opportunities available at Central Bible Church for people with child abuse in their background record, such as:
Adult music ministries, Adult Bible Studies, Service Planning Group, various building maintenance projects, Softball team, Wayside service ministry, Healthcare Facility ministry.


Incident Reporting Process and Forms

Any Worker who has reason to believe that a child or youth has been sexually, physically or mentally abused on church property or on a church activity or in a relationship arising out of a church activity will immediately report it to the Senior Pastor, Youth Pastor or one of the Elders of Central Bible Church. Or, in the event that anyone personally witnesses an occurrence in violation of this policy, that person should report it to the Senior Pastor or an Elder or the person in charge of that activity.
In either case, the witness will be asked to complete an Incident Report (available in the Church Office). All parties involved will be treated with dignity and support and provided a safe environment. All efforts at handling the incident should be documented on the Incident Report. The Pastor, Elder or person in charge at the time will promptly investigate the allegations by discussing the matter with the victim, the accused and any other witnesses to the incident. The Pastor, Elder or person in charge will notify the parents or guardians of the child. The Pastor or Elder will determine the seriousness of the incident and decide if the insurance company or attorney needs to be contacted. Church Mutual Insurance Company, 1-800- 554- 2642, option 4, extension 4240 Barbara Cator and our attorney (Administer Justice, Bruce Strom 847-844-1100). The Pastor, Youth Pastor and Elders will work together to follow the advice and counsel provided by the Insurance Company and our Attorney.



Suspected Physical, Mental, Sexual Abuse Reporting Prodcedure

A report is called for if a child:
  • Verbally complains about or mentions in passing, specific acts of neglect or abuse or exposure to sexual activity, pornography or abuse of others;

  • Verbally complains about or mentions in passing vague references to having to do bad things, having bad or secret things done to him or her;

  • Alludes to abuse or neglect in writing, prayer requests or in drawings; Has an injury that can’t be adequately explained or which the child attempts to hide or deny;

  • Has an inordinate number of unexplained injuries;

  • Has an age inappropriate interest in or knowledge of sexual matters or acting out of sexual behavior;

  • Is frequently dirty or smelly or inadequately dressed, has bad teeth or hair falling out, is undernourished, does not receive appropriate medical care for injuries;

  • Reports or evidences difficulty urinating or discomfort when sitting;

  • Reports or evidences an atypical fear or discomfort of being with particular people.


All allegations or suspicions of abuse or neglect shall be kept confidential and be discussed with the Senior Pastor, Youth Pastor, Elder or ministry leader.
If and when a child first speaks to you about abuse or neglect, be sure to take his or her word seriously. Don’t deny or minimize the problem. Stay calm and listen. Offer reassurance that it was right to tell you and that it is right to talk with you about what may be bothering him or her. Do not promise you will not tell anyone. If the child asks, tell him with whom you will discuss the problem. It is not your place to interrogate the child to find out all the facts. It is your responsibility to listen to what the child is saying and immediately report your conversation.


Your report should be made to the person you promised the child and to the person in charge of the ministry you are involved in or to the Senior or Youth Pastor or an Elder. (Your report of suspicions of child abuse or neglect not based on a child’s conversation will follow this same process.) The person making the report and the person to whom the report is given will complete a “Written Confirmation Of Suspected Child Abuse/Neglect Report” (located in the church office). Following this report the Senior Pastor, an Elder, the person in charge of the ministry area from which the report arose, the specific person to whom the child spoke and anyone else these people consider appropriate will meet together to determine what action should be taken following the guidelines established in “A Manual for Mandated Reporters” published by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, October 2000 Revised Edition (located in the church office).
 

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