Child safety policy
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Child safety policy
A child and youth safety policy for churches, ministries and any community that runs programs for young people. It explains in plain language how volunteers are screened and trained, the two-adult rule, secure check-in, bathroom and transport practices, online and social media contact, and exactly how to report a concern, with a named safety lead and a short summary for parents. Use it as a starting point: adjust the ages, procedures and contacts to how your programs run, and have it reviewed by your insurer or an adviser before you publish it.
Child safety policy
Every child and young person who comes to Grace Harbor Church should be safe, known and cared for. This policy sets out how we protect the children and youth in our programs, and what every staff member and volunteer agrees to.
- Every leader working with children is screened, background checked and trained every year.
- At least two approved adults are present with children at all times.
- Only the adult with the matching check-in tag can collect your child.
- Any concern is taken seriously and reported. You can raise one with our safety lead at any time.
1. Who this policy covers
This policy applies to every program for children from birth to fifth grade (Grace Harbor Church Kids) and for students in grades 6 to 12 (Harbor Youth), on our premises, on trips and online. It applies to all staff, volunteers, interns and visiting guests who lead or help with these programs.
2. Screening and training
Before anyone serves with children or youth, they must:
- Have attended Grace Harbor Church for at least six months. Exceptions for visiting guests are always supervised by an approved leader.
- Complete an application and give two references, at least one from outside their family.
- Meet with a ministry leader for a short interview about their experience and motivation.
- Pass a criminal background check, repeated every two years.
- Complete child safety training before they start and renew it every year.
Adult leaders in Harbor Youth must be at least 21. Students in grades 9 to 12 may help in children's classes as junior helpers, but are never counted as one of the two required adults.
3. Supervision
- The two-adult rule. At least two approved adults, who are not married to or related to each other where possible, are present in every room and on every outing.
- Open doors and windows. Every classroom has a window in the door, and doors stay open or unlocked during programs.
- No one-to-one time out of sight. A conversation alone with a child or student happens in a public place in view of other adults.
- Hall monitors. A trained volunteer walks the children's wing during every Sunday service.
4. Check-in and pickup
Children from birth to fifth grade are checked in at the children's desk, where parents receive a pickup tag with a matching code. Children are released only to an adult presenting that tag. If a tag is lost, the parent waits with a leader while the ministry director confirms their identity.
Allergies, medical needs and custody arrangements recorded at check-in are shown on the child's label and the class list. If a court order restricts who may collect a child, parents should give a copy to our Children's Ministry Director.
Students in grades 6 to 12 sign in on arrival. Parents tell us in advance if their student may leave on their own.
5. Bathrooms, touch and transport
| Area | What we do |
|---|---|
| Diapering and bathrooms | Diapers are changed in the classroom changing area in view of a second adult. Older children use a bathroom inside or next to their classroom; a leader waits outside the door. |
| Appropriate touch | High fives, side hugs and comforting a hurt child are fine. Leaders never touch a child in a way that is secret, unwanted or that they would not do in front of a parent. |
| Discipline | We redirect, remove from an activity and talk with parents. We never use physical punishment or shaming. |
| Transport | Children travel in church vans or approved volunteer cars with drivers over 25, with a clean driving record and proper insurance. A driver is never alone with one student. |
| Overnight trips | Students sleep in same-gender rooms with at least two leaders of the same gender nearby. Leaders never share a bed or sleeping bag with a student. |
6. Online and social media
Leaders communicate with students through group channels that include another adult or a parent, not private one-to-one messages. Leaders do not follow or friend students on personal social media accounts unless a parent is also connected. Photos of children are posted only with written parent consent, never with a child's full name or school, and never showing a child in swimwear.
7. Reporting a concern
Everyone has a responsibility to speak up. If you see, hear or suspect something that worries you:
- If a child is in immediate danger, call 911. Do this first.
- Tell our Child Safety Lead the same day, even if you are unsure. You will not get in trouble for a concern raised in good faith.
- Write down what you saw or heard, in the person's own words where you can, with the date and time. Don't investigate or question the child further.
- We report to the authorities. As mandated reporters under Georgia law, our staff report suspected abuse to the Division of Family and Children Services or law enforcement within 24 hours. Any person may also report directly.
A staff member or volunteer who is the subject of an allegation is stepped back from all children's and youth ministry while it is looked into. The safety of the child comes first.
8. Contacts
Child Safety Lead
Priya Raman, Children's Ministry Director
(555) 014-2295
hello@example.com
Deputy Safety Lead
Jordan Pryce, Youth and Family Pastor
(555) 014-2296
For concerns about the safety lead, contact Rev. Angela Brooks.
This policy is reviewed every year by the leadership board, and after any serious incident. Questions or suggestions are always welcome.
Child safety requirements vary by state, denomination and insurer. Review this policy with your insurer, an attorney or a child safety adviser, and check your state's mandated reporting laws, before you adopt or publish it.
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