RELEVANT CHILDREN'S MINISTRY

There are some danger zones in children's ministry when it comes to safety and security.

Taking kids to the bathroom is one of those areas where there is the potential for something to happen that could devastate your children's ministry.  I know of several cases where abuse took place in this situation.

The best defense is to have a policy in place that clearly defines the procedure for taking a child to the bathroom.

Here are some of the best policies to have in place.

Best Foundational Policies for all ages:
1. Everyone who serves must have a background check, reference calls, and a personal interview before serving.  No exceptions.
2. No one is ever alone with a child.  There must always be two adults present.
3. The bathrooms the kids use should be "Kids Only" bathrooms.  Make this clear with signage, etc.

Best Policies for Nursery:
1. Only females are allowed to change diapers.
2. Have a security camera in every room.

Best Policies for Preschool:
1. Have direct access to the bathroom from the classroom.
2. If you have to walk the child to the bathroom, always make sure at least 2 adults accompany the child.
3. Look and make sure no one is in the bathroom before allowing the child to enter.
4. Stand outside the door while the child is going to the bathroom.
5. If a child can't get his or her zipper back up and you have to help him or her, make sure you have two adults present and if possible help in an area that is in the sight of others (without embarrassing the child of course).  Another option is to call the parents and ask them to come and help.

Best Policies for Elementary:
1. Have direct access to the bathroom from the classroom.
2. If you have to walk the child to the bathroom, always make sure at least 2 adults accompany the child.
3. Look and make sure no one is in the bathroom before allowing the child to enter.
4. Stand outside the door while the child is going to the bathroom.
5. Do not send older elementary kids into the bathroom with younger elementary kids. 

What are some other policies you follow?  Share with us in the comment section below.

The Church Law and Tax Group recently reported on the best practices for protecting kids at church.  Protecting the children God has placed in our care must be a top priority.  Here are some of the key points from the report.  It is vital that churches follow these. 

• Consider the policies of other organizations that work with children.  This includes public schools.  By aligning their policies with these organizations, churches can more readily establish reasonable care.

• Communicate protection policies and procedures to the church at large through meetings, the church website, and other means.   Policies that are widely known are more likely to be consistently enforced.

• All new staff and volunteers should be trained with protection policies and procedures.  Then periodically hold training to review and provide updates on any changes.
  

• Background checks are a central component of protecting children.  Everyone should have a background check done and approved before they begin serving.  Background checks should also be re-ran every 5 years on current volunteers.  Church leaders should also periodically review the effectiveness of their background check procedures.

• Churches should make sure that all keys, keypad cards, and other means of accessing church property are returned when employees or volunteers resign or are terminated.

• Make sure that access to children's areas is secure and restricted.

• Require and provide abuse awareness and mandatory reporter training for all staff.

• If your church is multi-site, enforce policies and procedures at all campuses.

• No one should ever be alone with a child under any circumstance.  At least two authorized adults must always be present. 

• Provide adequate supervision by following proper adult-to-child ratios.

• Staff and volunteers should never strike, hit, or administer corporal punishment.

• Staff and volunteers should never have electronic communication with a child without the child's parent being included in the communication.

• If an allegation of inappropriate conduct is made, the accused should discontinue any further participation in programs and activities until the matter has been satisfactorily resolved.

• Medicine cannot be administered to a child without written consent from the child's parents.

• Authorized adults must disclose any criminal charges with which they are charged.   Failure to do so can result in termination.