CHILD PROTECTION POLICY

How to get started

Present a proposal showing the need to form a task force to do further research on this issue to your administrative board or council. This governing board should accept the responsibility of choosing members for this task force. Because this could be a time consuming responsibility, an existing committee should not be asked to develop your church’s policy and procedures.

The members of this task force could include the pastor, a representative from your pastor/staff parish, trustees and education committees, and other persons who work with the children and youth in your church. This task force will need to meet regularly.

While child protection is a very important issue, many people within your congregation may not be aware of the need to develop a policy and supporting procedures for your church. Some educating of individuals and the congregation as a whole may be needed. There are many resources to assist you in this educational process. A list of these resources can be found in the Resource Section of this document. The Child Protection Policy Task Group especially recommends Safe Sanctuaries: Reducing the Risk of Child Abuse in the Church, Reducing the Risk (manual, guide and video), and The Good Shepherd.

Implementation Outline
The purpose of the task force should be to:

• educate yourselves on the issues of child abuse and protection
• evaluate the current practices of your church related to the care and supervision of children and youth
• become advocates for why a child protection policy and procedures are needed at your church
• continue educating the congregation for the need for a policy and procedures
• develop a proposed policy and procedures for your church after studying the enclosed sample and other resources
• review your proposed policy and procedures with affected parties -- education committee, teachers, youth leaders, paid and volunteer staff, an attorney, your insurance carrier, trustees, etc., and make any necessary revisions
• present the policy and procedures to your administrative board or council or other governing board for approval
• request that the governing board choose an implementation individual or committee who will administer the policy, assess its effectiveness, and raise awareness of the need to make any revisions of the policy and procedures as needed set a time table for your work.
  

Your state and/or county child and family protective services department.