Safe Sanctuary Policy of First United Methodist Church​

When the disciples tried to keep the children away from Jesus, he was quick to respond, “Let the children come to me.” Jesus taught that children are to be included and provided for within the community of faith. As Christians, we must take our responsibilities to our children and youth very seriously. As a community of faith, we pledge to conduct the ministry of the gospel in ways that assure the safety and spiritual growth of all our children and youth, as well as all the workers with children and youth.

PRIOR TO WORKING OR VOLUNTEERING WITH OUR CHILDREN/YOUTH:
· All applicants for staff positions will be interviewed, must provide appropriate references and will undergo a criminal background check.
· Person volunteering will be interviewed, asked to sign a covenant form, and will be asked to undergo a criminal background check.
· Before working or volunteering with our children/youth, each person must attend a Safe Sanctuary Training Session.
· Any paid staff or volunteer or committee chair can lead a Safe Sanctuary Training Session.
· Anyone convicted of a felony will not be permitted to work or volunteer with children or youth at FUMC.

We will educate our workers and volunteers with children and youth regarding the use of all appropriate policies. These policies and procedures will be made known to the congregation and to all new members. All staff and volunteers will receive training in these policies and procedures in either verbal or written form.

SPECIAL RULES

• Two Adult Rule – A minimum of two volunteers shall be present during any children/youth activity. If there are only two volunteers, they should not be related.
• For this policy, an adult is over 18 years old. All volunteers must be at least 5 years older than the children/youth they are supervising.
• 6 Month Rule - FUMC will not use anyone as a lead volunteer for children or youth ministry unless they have been an active participant at FUMC for a period of 6 months. For anyone with under 6 months of active participation, the volunteer must be paired with another volunteer who has 6 months or more active participation with FUMC.
• Open Door Policy – All children/youth classrooms will have either a viewing window that will remain free of covering or a dutch door where the top door will remain open at all times. If the door does not have a dutch door or a viewing window, the door must remain open at all times.
• Restroom Policies – In situations where an escort is needed for a trip to the restroom, a volunteer will stand outside the restroom and assist the child if needed. Whenever a volunteer is needed in the restroom with a child, the door will remain open.

OVERNIGHT ACTIVITIES

• None of the children or youth will be allowed away from the designated overnight area without prior permission of the group leader and the parent’s signed permission.
• No members of the opposite sex will be allowed to sleep in the same room unsupervised.
• Adults will not be allowed to sleep in the same bed with a child/youth unless the child/youth is their child.
• Parental consent forms will be obtained for overnight activities at the church, and for all activities off church property.

DISCIPLINE

• Paid or volunteer workers will not use any physical, emotional or verbal abuse at any time.
• If or when a problem arises, the children’s or youth worker in charge will discuss the incident as soon as possible with the child/youth’s parent or guardian to resolve the problem.

POLICIES ON OTHER CHURCH USE-SPACE AND FACILITIES

• Leaders of community groups, youth and vulnerable adults who use the FUMC facilities, will be required to read the Safe Sanctuary Policy (which includes the Policy on Reporting and Responding to a suspected incident of abuse.) They will also be required to sign an agreement to abide by the Safe Sanctuary Policy.
• The leader and volunteers of all Girl Scout Groups, Boy Scout Groups and any other groups of children and youth who meet at FUMC must go through a Safe Sanctuary Policy Training Session.

We will have a clearly defined procedure for reporting and responding to a suspected incident of abuse. We will also be prepared to respond to media inquiries and the needs of all involved if an incident should occur.

• All allegations are to be taken seriously.
• The safety of the child/youth is the most important factor. The accused adults should never be confronted before the safety of the child/youth is secured.

Allegations Against Volunteers

• The volunteer will be relieved of duties by the appropriate staff member until accusations are determined.
• The report shall be made to the appropriate program director.
• The Director shall, in turn, report to the Senior Pastor.
• The Pastor and Director shall determine if the District Superintendent shall be notified.

Allegations Against Employees

• For any employee, other than the Senior Pastor, the report shall be made to the Chair of the Staff Parish Relations Committee and the Senior Pastor.
• The Pastor and the Staff Parish Relations Committee Chair will determine if the District Superintendent shall be notified.

Allegations Against Any Pastor

• The report shall be made to all of the following:
• The Chair of the Staff Parish Relations Committee
• The Chair of the Church Council
• The District Superintendent

RESPONDING TO ALLEGATIONS OF ABUSE
If it is determined that the allegation has a factual basis, then the following steps shall be taken:

• A response team shall be formed and will be assigned to take any further actions that are required. The Response Team shall follow the advice of legal counsel and the District Superintendent (or the Superintendents’ representative.)
• The Response Team shall be made up of the Senior Pastor, The Staff Parish Relations Committee Chairp, the Church Council Chair, and a mental health professional.
• The Response Team shall appoint one sole media spokesperson. The Response Team shall determine the appropriate means of communicating with the congregation.

              The Response Team will:

1. Inform the employee or volunteer of the accusation and discuss the accusations
2. Suspend with pay (for paid employees) the alleged offender while the confidential investigation is being conducted.
3. Consult with church attorney for advice regarding compliance with reporting laws – then file the necessary report with the appropriate agency within the time frame required by the State of North Carolina.
4. Together with the agency official, meet with the child’s parents and, in their presence and with their permission, with the child. (Your purpose for meeting is to learn more fully the nature of the allegations, including when and where the alleged offense took place) Reassure the child that he or she has done nothing wrong and that it was right to report the incident. Allow the child to speak freely. Do not coach responses from them and do not become defensive to any statements. Seek the truth and protect the child’s well-being. If the nature of the alleged abuse is such that any physical injury could have their child examined immediately by a qualified physician.
5. Notify the liability insurance company. Do not wait for the investigation to be concluded unless your attorney advises you to. Do not wait until criminal charges are filed or until you are faced with a civil suit. Involving the insurance company is not an admission of negligence. It is a wise protective measure and may be the means by which legal counsel may be retained to provide a defense for the church and, possibly for the accused. Besides making a coverage determination, the insurance company can also advise and assistance in addressing the incident.
6. Cooperate in the investigation conducted by the insurance company and Child Protective Services.
7. Provide ongoing spiritual and counseling support for the victim and his/her family.
8. Consider the spiritual needs of the accused and seek assistance from the District Superintendent and Conference personnel in providing the proper counseling and response for the accused and the accused’s family.