About Worthington United Methodist Church

Policies

Safe Sancturary -- Child Protection Policy

Preventing Child Abuse

1. Two Adult Rule: At least two adults (preferably unrelated) should be present at all times during any church-sponsored activity involving a child.
   1. When this is not possible, an adult "roamer" will check periodically in each classroom or other area where there are activities involving children. The times the roamer makes rounds will not be posted or known by the Sunday school teachers or leaders of the activity.
   2. During transportation of children to and from planned church outings it is recommended that parents drop off and pick up the children from a common designated area. If two adults are not available for each vehicle, the minimum required is one adult and two or more children. No child is to be alone in a vehicle with an adult who is not their parent or guardian.
   3. No Youth Fellowship meetings shall be conducted unless two adults are present.
2. Five Years of Age or Older Rule: All who work with children in a church sponsored activity must be at least five years older than the age of the child with whom they are working.
3. Eighteen Years of Age or Older: No volunteer or worker under the age of eighteen should have sole responsibility for any children.
   1. All helpers under the age of eighteen will be required to work with, and report to, an adult.
   2. The adult supervisor must be present in the building, but does not need to remain in the room with the volunteer or worker under the age of eighteeen. If the adult supervisor is not in the room with the younger worker or volunteer, they will check periodically without notice to supervise the younger worker or volunteer.
4. Six Month's Rule: All volunteers involved with children or youth of our church must have been members (or regular attendees) of the congregation for at least six months prior to beginning a volunteer assignment. A regular attendee is someone who would be missed if they were not in church.
5. Open Door/Glass Window: During any church-sponsored activity involving a child in a classroom or other room in the church, the door to the area shall be open unless the room has eye-level windows or a window in the door.
6. One on One Personal Contact: Every effort should be made to prevent volunteers or workers from having one on one personal contact with a child. Any personal conference with a child should be conducted in view of others. It is recommended that meetings take place in public areas where others are present or that another adult (preferably unrelated) is present.
7. Facilities: We will strive to provide facilities that are safe for children.
8. Training: We will offer regular and periodic training for our volunteers and staff, including education as to church policies with regard to child abuse, procedures to be used in ministry with children and youth, appropriate steps to report an incident of abuse, and details of state laws regarding child abuse.
9. Communication with Parents: We will communicate regularly with parents to keep them informed in advance of activities, events, and policies. These communications may include, but are not limited to: Class schedules and teacher assignments, written permission forms, when needed; a contact for questions and concerns, and this child protection policy.
10. Overnight Events: Overnight events should preferably have one adult of each sex to chaperone. One adult of each sex is required if children of both sexes are participating in the event. Separate accomodations, bathroom and showers are recommended when children of both sexes are participating in the event. When separate facilities are not available, it is recommended that separate times for male and female use be scheduled.
    1. Adults must respect the privacy of children in situations such as bathrooms, changing clothes and taking showers, and intrude only to the extent that health and safety require. Adults must protect their own privacy in similar situations.
    2. When staying overnight, no child is permitted to sleep in the room of an adult other than their own parent or guardian.
11. Screening of Adults
    1. Staff Members
       1. All staff members will be subject to a criminal background check. Worthington UMC reserves the right to perform fingerprint checks as well as checks involving driver's license and social security numbers. Prior employment history will be validated and references will be contacted.
       2. These checks will be carried out at the time that the staff member is hired. Employment may begin but will be contingent upon a clear background check. The Staff-Parish Relations Committee (SPRC) will be responsible for these checks.
       3. All applicants for paid staff positions will complete the Employment Application.
       4. All background checks will be handled in a confidential manner.
    2. Volunteers
       1. All volunteers will be notified by letter (Appendix C) that they may be subject to background checks in compliance with Ohio law, Senate Bill 187.
       2. Volunteers are required to sign the letter indicating that they have been notified of this policy and return the signed form to the church. They will also be responsible for signing the form for the criminal background check. (Appendix C) Volunteers shall submit a copy of their current driver's license and social security card for the Church to use in its background check. SPRC will be responsible for periodically monitoring this notification process to ensure all volunteers are in compliance.
       3. The volunteers who regularly have unsupervised access to children will be subject to criminal background checks and possible fingerprinting. SPRC will be responsible for these checks, including: identifying these volunteers, arranging for the background checks, receiving completed background reports, and using the reports to assess the volunteers' suitability for working with children. All background checks will be handled in a confidential manner.