Desert Winds Community Church Child/Youth Protection Policy
General Purpose Statement:
Desert Winds Community Church seeks to provide a safe and secure environment for the children/minors who participate in our programs and activities. By implementing the following practices, our goal is to protect the children and youth of Desert Winds Community Church from incidents of misconduct or inappropriate behavior while also protecting our staff and volunteers from false accusations.
For purposes of this policy, the terms “child/minor” or “Children/minors” include all persons under the age of 18 years.
Employee and Volunteer Qualifications:
All employees and volunteers who desire to work with the children/minors participating in our programs and activities shall meet the following qualifications:
a) Six Month Rule – No volunteer will be allowed to work with children/minors in the regularly scheduled services of DWCC until he/she has been a member or regular attendee of Desert Winds Community Church for a minimum of six (6) months. This time of interaction between our leadership and the volunteer allows for a better evaluation and suitability of the volunteer for working with children/minors. There will be occasions when volunteers for special events will be needed who are not regular attenders of DWCC. These volunteers may be recommended by DWCC members and will be subject to background checks and supervision by regular staff members and will, at no time, be alone with the children under our care.
b) Written Application – All persons seeking to work with children/minors must complete and sign a written application in a form to be supplied by us. The application will request basic information from the applicant and will inquire into previous experience with children/minors, previous church affiliation, reference and employment information (this will not be required for volunteers), as well as disclosure of any previous criminal convictions. The application form will be maintained in confidence on file at Desert Winds Community Church.
c) Personal Interview – Upon completion of the application, a face-to-face interview may be scheduled with the applicant to discuss his/her suitability for the position.
d) Criminal Background Check - A national criminal background check is required for all employees (regardless of position) and for all volunteers.
e) Drivers – all drivers must be at least 26 years old and have proof of insurance on file with Desert Winds Community Church.
Anyone refusing a background check may not volunteer or work with children/minors. What constitutes a disqualifying offense (something that will keep the individual from working with children/minors) will be determined by the Pastor/Governing board on a case-by-case basis in light of all the surrounding circumstances. Generally, offenses involving children and/or offenses involving violence, dishonesty, illegal substances, indecency and any conduct contrary to our mission will preclude someone from being permitted to work with children/minors. Failure to disclose a criminal conviction on the application will also be a disqualifying event. All background checks will be maintained in confidence on file at Desert Winds Community Church.
Accountability Rule
It
is our goal to maintain accountability for our volunteers. There will be a minimum of two workers in
attendance at all times when children are being supervised during our programs
and activities, or a clear line of
vision into the room will be available either by an open door or by an
unobstructed window in the door.
Leader Relationships
A “dating” relationship between leaders and minors will not be allowed at any time
Responding to Allegations of Child Abuse
For purposes of this policy, “child abuse” is any action (or lack of action) which endangers or harms a child’s physical, psychological or emotional health and development. Child abuse occurs in different ways and includes:
*Physical abuse – any physical injury to a child/minor which is not accidental, such as beating, shaking, burns, and biting.
*Emotional abuse – emotional injury when a child/minor is not nurtured or provided with love and security, such as an environment of constant criticism, belittling and persistent teasing.
*Sexual abuse – any sexual activity between a minor and an adult or between a minor and another minor, as defined by law as it exists at the time, including activities such as fondling, exhibitionism, intercourse, incest, and pornography.
*Neglect – depriving a child of their essential needs, such as adequate food, water, shelter, and medical care.
Volunteers may have the opportunity to become aware of suspected abuse or neglect of a child/minor under our care. It should be reported immediately to the Children’s Ministry Director or Youth Director for further action including reporting to authorities as mandated by state law.
In the event that an incident of abuse or neglect is alleged to have occurred at Desert Winds Community Church or during our sponsored programs or activities, the following procedure shall be followed:
1) The parent or guardian of the child/minor will be notified.
2) The volunteer alleged to have caused the abuse or misconduct will immediately be placed on leave from working with children/minors pending an investigation.
3) Our insurance company will be notified, and we will complete an incident report.
4) We will comply with the state’s requirements regarding mandatory reporting of suspected abuse as the law then exists.
5) We will cooperate with any investigation of the incident by state or local authorities. In the event there is no investigation of the incident by state or local authorities, Desert Winds Community Church will form a team to investigate the circumstances of the incident. The team should act only in consultation with our insurance company and/or attorney.
6) Any person who is not found innocent of the alleged abuse or misconduct will be removed from working with children/minors.
7) The Lead Pastor will be our spokesperson to the media concerning incidents of abuse or neglect, unless he or she is alleged to be involved. All employees and volunteers should refrain from speaking to the media.
8) A Pastoral visit will be arranged for those who desire it.
Discipline Policy
It is the policy of Desert Winds Community Church not to administer corporal punishment, even if the parents have suggested or given permission for it. There should be no spanking, grabbing, hitting, or other physical discipline of children/minors. Employees and volunteers should consult with the Children’s Ministry Director or Youth Director if assistance is needed with disciplinary issues.
Restroom Guidelines
Children five years of age or younger should utilize a classroom bathroom, if one is available. If a child requires assistance, the volunteers should assure that a clear line of sight is maintained with another volunteer as they assist the child/minor.
For children over the age of five: children will be permitted to go to the restroom alone as long as the volunteers have a clear line of sight between the classroom and the restroom. Volunteers should not be in the restroom alone with any child.
Accidental Injuries to Children
In the event that a child or youth is injured while under our care, the following steps should be followed:
1) For minor injuries, scrapes, and bruises workers will provide First Aid (Band-Aids, etc.) as appropriate and will notify the child’s/minor’s parent or guardian of the injury at the time the child/minor is picked up from our care.
2) For injuries requiring medical treatment beyond simple First Aid, the parent and/or guardian will immediately be summoned in addition to the worker’s supervisor. If warranted by circumstances, an ambulance will be called.
3) Once the child/minor has received appropriate medical attention, an incident report will be completed in the case of injuries requiring medical attention.
Personal Electronic Devices
Because it is impossible to monitor content being viewed or shared with others, children participating in the Children’s Ministry services/events are not to have possession of personal electronic devices including, but not limited to, cell phones, tablets or I-pads, MP3/4 players, and laptops at any children’s service or event. Violations of this policy will result in the parent being called out of service to take possession of the device. If the child is attending the service/event without the parent, the device will be placed in a secure location and returned to the child at the close of the service/event.
Staff members and volunteers are required to have their devices on vibrate or silent and put away during services/events. No content from these personal devices will be shared with children including, but not limited to, music, videos, pictures or games.
Staff Training
Desert Winds Community Church will provide training on this Child Protection Policy to all Children’s & Youth volunteers and will provide opportunities for refresher training on an annual basis. All workers are strongly encouraged to attend these training events.