Keeping Children Safe

For a PDF download of this article:Keeping Children Safe

Training an entire congregation in Safe Sanctuaries may seem a daunting task, but it is important that everyone – adults, youth, children, and visitors – know the basic commitment to caring for children in our churches. This list gives you a place to start, and resources available through the United Methodist Church and the FaithTrust Institute.

• All adults working directly with children will be Safe Sanctuaries trained
• Minimum of two non-related adults with each group of children
• All adults will be at least 18 years of age and at least 5 years older than the children being supervised
• All adults working with children will be screened with background checks within three years prior to service
• At least one adult with each age grouping will have first aid and CPR training
• Each child will have on file a current emergency medical form
• No medication will be given to the children except by a parent or guardian
• Children will be supervised to and from the bathroom at all times
• Children will be signed in and out by a parent or guardian
• Children brought to the activity must be free of fever, vomiting, diarrhea and/or other contagious diseases
• Adult / child ratio
  • Infants 2/5
  • Toddlers 2/8
  • Preschool ages 2/10
  • Elementary ages 2/15
  • Youth 2/13
• A telephone will be available in the children’s areas at all times
• Follow state mandated procedures for diaper change, hand washing, toy cleanliness, and food preparation
• Visitors with children are made aware of church policies and procedures

RESOURCES

• "Reducing the Risk of Child Sexual Abuse in the Church", The Book of Resolutions of the United Methodist Church #3084 – our mandate on keeping children safe
• Safe Sanctuaries: Reducing the Risk of Abuse in the Church by Joy Melton – guidance for developing policies and procedures
• National Committee to Prevent Child Abuse – preventing child abuse and neglect www.preventchildabuse.org/index.shtml
• FaithTrust Institute – working to end sexual and domestic violence www.faithtrustinstitute.org/
• Annual Conference Contacts on Safe Sanctuaries