First Presbyterian Church

Child Protection Policy

Approved By Session December 18, 2006.

“Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”

Mark 10:14

Information for Parents

The key to any relationship is communication. We encourage you to get to know your child/youth’s teachers or leaders. Find out who your son or daughter is spending time with at church. While we do everything possible to ensure safety, you are the best advocate for your son or daughter.

If you believe your child/youth is experiencing any form of mistreatment (injury, bullying, gossip), please contact your child’s group leader directly. We ask this as we may not be aware of the situation with your child. Similarly, if you have concerns about your child/youth’s group leader or advisor, please trust your instincts and contact a staff member as soon as possible.

Any member of the congregation, volunteer or paid employee who has been convicted of a crime against a child or of a violent crime against another adult will not provide service in a church sponsored activity or program for children/youth.

You may feel confident that the staff and leaders hold the safety of your child in the highest regard. We have taken great care to develop policies, standards, and procedures to increase safety while your child/youth is involved.

These guidelines are by no means exhaustive. Please feel free to contact your child/youth’s leader anytime with questions or concerns. Or contact the staff member directly at 704-636-1321. For more information please feel free to attend one of the Child Protection Training classes.

Let the little children come to Me,

and do not hinder them,

for the Kingdom of God

belongs to such as these.

Mark 10:14

Policy Statement

In keeping with the covenant of baptism, the congregation of First Presbyterian Church (FPC), has committed themselves and their resources to the nurture of our children. We promise our children that we will provide the structure, education, and the policies that will keep them safe from harm and abuse. In that context we will screen and train volunteers and ask that each volunteer abide by the policies of First Presbyterian Church. FPC, therefore, has established The Child Protection Policy and Child Protection Training Program.

Policy and Program Definitions

The State of North Carolina defines a child as anyone from birth to age eighteen. FPC designates a difference between children and youth in programming. For the purposes of this policy, all people below the age of 12 years will be referred to as children and those 12-18 years old will be referred to as youth.

Child Abuse refers to an action or inaction by a parent, leader, advisor, teacher, etc. that harms or threatens to harm a child/youth’s physical or mental health and well being. This may include physical abuse, sexual abuse, and/or emotional or verbal abuse.

Components of the program

Everyone desiring to work with children or youth at First Presbyterian Church, whether paid staff or volunteer, goes through the Child Protection Training for Leaders Program. Our program has four components:

1.Screening 2.Training 3.Supervision 4. Reporting

Let the little children come to Me,

and do not hinder them,

for the Kingdom of God

belongs to such as these.

Mark 10:14

Screening

Protection screening includes one or more of the following: application, reference checks, personal interview, and background check. Not all serving positions require all of the above screening steps. Your staff contact person will know which steps need to be taken to protect you and the children/youth you will be working with.

? Application: designed to get to know you better. See below under requirements.

? Reference checks: conducted so we can hear from the people who you have said know you best.

? Personal Interview: Held to ensure the right serving position for your experiences, gifts, and passions.

? Background check: requested for

1. All staff who work around children/youth

2. Volunteer positions involving specific situations

3. Special circumstances.

Requirements:

? Complete the Screening Form For Volunteers Working With Children/Youth.

? Read and sign the Leader Covenant

Let the little children come to Me,

and do not hinder them,

for the Kingdom of God

belongs to such as these.

Mark 10:14

Training

Our training class is for all people who serve around children/youth on a regular basis. The purpose of this class is to raise awareness of child abuse issues and to cover things to do and not to do during ministry work.

Requirements:

? All training programs will include a review of The Child Protection Policy including its procedures and forms.

? The Child Protection Policy of FPC will be included in all New Disciples Classes and will be publicized and made available to all members of the congregation.

? Anyone working with children/youth must have the core components training documentation on file and should be re-educated on a yearly basis during teacher training prior to Rally Day.

Core Components of Training

? Parent’s guide for prevention of child abuse

? Definitions of child abuse

? Possible indicators of abuse

? Strategies used by most molesters

? Disclosure by a victim and tips for your response

? Code of conduct for leaders, advisors, and teachers

? Documentation

Let the little children come to Me,

and do not hinder them,

for the Kingdom of God

belongs to such as these.

Mark 10:14

Supervision

Supervision is done primarily by staff in the area, but we all have a role in keeping one another accountable. The goal is to ensure that the interactions taking place between leaders, advisors, teachers, and the child/youth are appropriate and above reproach. Supervision takes place for the protection of the children/youth, as well as for the leaders.

Supervision Standards

? It is the responsibility of the division providing the church activity or program to make certain that proper supervision is in place.

? Only persons who have been members of FPC for at least 6 months are eligible to work with the children/youth. Exceptions can be permitted when permission has been obtained from the Session.

? At least 2 adults or one adult and one youth will be present to supervise all activities involving children/youth. Any youth assisting in this capacity must also be trained in the Child Protection Policy.

? Adequate personnel must be provided and maintained before and after an event until all children/youth are in the custody of their parents or guardians. Youth who are driving will be an exception.

? Parental Release forms will be required for any off premises activity involving children/youth. These forms will be completed annually.

? FPC rooms used for children/youth will have doors equipped with windows or the door must remain open.

? All children at the church are the responsibility of their parent(s) and will not be left unattended without specific written, parental permission---example to allow older children to come to their parents’ classes or to meet them in the sanctuary for worship.

? When possible, supervisors should avoid the circumstance of being alone with a child/youth.

? Child/youth personal information will be kept in confidence by Sunday School Superintendents and classroom teachers and will only be released to authorized individuals on a need-to-know basis.

? All persons working with children/youth must be at least five years older than the oldest child/youth in the group.

? Chaperones must be of the same sex as the children/youth in the group.

Forms Necessary to Complete Child Protection Policy Requirements

? FPC Child Protection Policy Packet

? Screening Form For Volunteers Working With Children/Youth- includes: personal information, church history and prior work with children/youth

? Leader Covenant

? Parental Release Forms

? Form For Reporting Abuse

Let the little children come to Me,

and do not hinder them,

for the Kingdom of God

belongs to such as these.

Mark 10:14

Leader Covenant

The information contained on The Screening Form for Volunteers Working With Children/Youth is correct to the best of my knowledge. I give permission to contact any references, churches, or organizations listed on the form. I agree to be bound by the policies and procedures of First Presbyterian Church and in particular the Child Protection Policy. I agree to refrain from inappropriate conduct in the performance of my volunteer services on behalf of First Presbyterian Church. I have read and understand the Child Protection Policy and I have attended the Child Protection Training Program. I agree to abide by the policy.

_______________________________________________

Date of Child Protection Training Completion

___________________________________________________

Leader Volunteer or Paid Staff Signature

_______________________________________________________

Date

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

VOLUNTEER INFORMATION FORM

FOR PERSONS WORKING WITH CHILDREN AND YOUTH

The congregation of First Presbyterian Church is committed to providing a nurturing, safe, and secure environment for all children, youth and volunteers who participate in ministries and activities sponsored by our church. Thank you for helping us fulfill this commitment by providing us with the information requested in this form.

VOLUNTEER INFORMATION

Volunteer Position_______________________________Date_________________

Name______________________________________________

Address____________________________________________

Daytime phone________________Evening Phone________________

Date of Birth ___________ SS#___________________________

Driver’s License #_____________________ State Issued________________

How long have you been a member of First Presbyterian Church?____________

If applying for a position to work with youth, are you at least 23 years of age?______

Have you ever been convicted of or pleaded guilty to a crime involving sexual misconduct?

Have your ever been sued in a civil action where the allegations included sexual misconduct?

List all previous church work involving children and youth (church name, address, contact person, type of work, dates, etc.)

List all previous non-church work involving children/youth. Be specific.

What training have you received in the care and nurture of children and youth? (CPR, First Aid, Life Guard, include certification if any)

PERSONAL REFERENCES

(People who are not related to you by blood or marriage)

Name __________________________________

Address_________________________________

_________________________________

Phone___________________________________

Name ____________________________________

Address __________________________________

__________________________________

Phone _____________________________________

The information contained in this form is correct. I authorize any references, background checks or churches listed in this form to give any information that they may have regarding my character and fitness for working with children and youth. I hereby release any individual, church, or organization from any and all liability for damages which may result to me, my heirs, or family for compliance with this authorization.

Your signature on this form confirms your understanding and agreement that:

In the event allegations of criminal or sexual misconduct arise regarding your conduct while you serve in the above described capacity (ies), the church will fully cooperate with any investigation.

Signature_________________________________________

Date_____________________________________________

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

FORM FOR

REPORTING SUSPECTED ABUSE

DATE OF SUSPECTED ABUSE _______________________________

PERSON OBSERVING SUSPECTED ABUSE _________________________________

DESCRIPTION OF SUSPECTED ABUSE (include as many details as possible):

OTHER WITNESSES TO SUSPECTED ABUSE_______________________________

________________________________________________________________________

AGENCY AND/OR PERSONS TO WHICH REPORT WAS MADE AND DATE OF REPORT _______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

NAME OF PERSON COMPLETING REPORT _______________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

After report has been made and this form completed, the form should be given to the head of the church staff or an associate pastor as soon as possible. Pastors will be responsible for follow up of report with authorities and insurance company. Under no circumstances should the person making the report attempt to conduct any further investigation on their own initiative.