CHILD SAFETY POLICY

VISION CHRISTIAN FAMILY

CHILD PROTECTION POLICY

(Church sponsored activities)

POLICY STATEMENT

Vision Christian Family (VCF) believes that all children involved in church sponsored activities have a right to be protected from harm caused by physical, sexual and emotional abuse. When involved in such activities the safety and wellbeing of children needs to be protected. The interest and wellbeing of the child are paramount.

To this end, VCF staff, ministry leaders, and volunteers (including parents), undergo appropriate recruitment and screening processes; receive ongoing training and support for their work involving children; are required to operate within established guidelines when conducting church sponsored activities; and are provided with clear guidelines for responding to incidences (or suspected incidences) of the abuse of children in the fellowship.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this policy is to provide VCF leaders and workers with guidelines for protecting children from abuse, and for responding to instances (or suspected instances) of abuse in keeping with the spirit of the Queensland Child Protection Act 1999.

SCOPE

This policy applies to all paid staff, ministry leaders, counsellors, and volunteers (including parents) working with children and young people attending VCF sponsored activities.

DEFINITIONS

A child or young person is any individual under the age of 18 years.

Child abuse is any action that significantly harms a child.

Harm, to a child, is any detrimental effect of a significant nature on the child’s physical, psychological or emotional wellbeing. It is immaterial how the harm is caused. Harm can be caused by physical, psychological or emotional abuse or neglect, or sexual abuse or exploitation.

Peer abuse recognises that the harm children may experience can be caused by their peers, other children (under 18 years of age) involved in VCF sponsored activities.

Church sponsored activity refers to authorised VCF activities, which are organised and supervised by paid staff, ministry leaders and or volunteers, including (but not restricted to) Kids Church, Youth,Holiday Kids Club and camps).

Paid staff includes the pastor and administrative assistant.

Ministry leaders refers to those designated individual responsible for various church ministries (e.g., Kids Church, Youth, Musicians, etc.)

Volunteers (including parents) includes parents who are members of VCF working in a voluntary

capacity with their own (and other) children in church sponsored activities.

Working with Children Risk Management Officer (VCF WCRMO) is the nominated person responsible for ensuring compliance with this policy. It is a requirement that the VCF WCRMO is a VCF Elder.

CROSSLINK . As a member of Crosslink (an alliance of Christian Churches), VCF is required to report all instances of breaches of this policy to the Crosslink (National) WCRMO within seven days.

PRINCIPLES

VCF expects all staff, ministry leaders, and volunteers (including parents) working with children as part of church based activities to adhere to the following principles:

Every child has a right to protection from harm.

The welfare and best interests of a child are paramount.

The child’s family is to be informed immediately of any allegations of abuse involving their child.

Children involved in church sponsored activities have a right to be safe and protected from harm. To this end, VCF will ensure that staff, ministry leaders and volunteers are provided with appropriate guidelines

and support on how to protect children whilst involved in church sanctioned activities.

Children involved in church sponsored activities also have a right to be protected from harm caused by their peers. VCF staff, ministry leaders and volunteers are to provide appropriate levels of supervision of VCF sponsored activities to minimise the potential for such harm, and to manage incidents when they occur. It is recognised that distinguishing between ‘normal and acceptable interactions’ between children can be difficult and the advice of external professionals should be sought where required.

In the interest of openness and justice for all involved, VCF holds the view that investigations are best carried out by the police or professional child protection authorities. Therefore, where the pastor becomes aware of, or strongly suspects that a child has been physically or sexually abused through their involvement in church sponsored activities the appropriate authorities will be notified immediately. VCF will in no way conduct its own investigation.

STRATEGIES

This policy outlines Six Strategies that VCF has adopted to ensure that the safety and wellbeing of children is protected. These are:

1. Appointment of the VCF ‘Working with Children Risk Management Officer’ (WCRMO).

2. Recruitment and screening of staff, ministry leaders and volunteers.

3. Training, monitoring and support of staff and volunteers.

4. Implementing a framework for providing safe activities for children.

5. Guidelines for responding to incidences or suspected incidences of the abuse of children involved in church sponsored activities.

6. Guidelines for continued church involvement of persons being investigated.

1: Appointment of the VCF ‘Working with Children Risk Management Officer’    (WCRMO)

VCF has appointed a ‘Working with Children Risk Management Officer (WCRMO) and this role is

responsible for:

Overseeing the training, implementation, and compliance of all paid staff, ministry leaders,

counsellors, and volunteers (including parents) working with children in VCF sponsored activities

with this policy.

Ensuring that where breaches of this policy occur, the A2A (National) Working with Children

Risk Management Officer is notified in writing within seven days.

Assuming the responsibilities of the Pastor (as outlined throughout this policy) in the event where

an allegation has been made against the senior pastor.

2: Recruitment and Screening of Staff, Ministry Leaders and Volunteers

All staff, ministry leaders and volunteers (including parents) are to undergo a formal recruitment and

screening process, involving:

A formal discussion (prior to taking up the responsibility) about the role and responsibility of the

position; and a brief introduction of the Child Protection Policy.

A ‘Working with children’ suitability check must be undertaken through the designated Queensland government authority and a ‘Blue Card’ sighted by the pastor.

Confirmation of the appointment is contingent on a successful application for a blue card.

In cases where a paid staff member is being appointed, personal and professional referees are to be contacted prior to the final appointment being made.

3: Training, Monitoring and Support of Staff, Ministry Leaders and Volunteers

Once appointed, all staff members, ministry leaders and volunteers shall be:

Provided with further training in this policy (Child Protection Policy) and sign a declaration that

they have read and agreed to abide with the policy.

Provided with introductory information on child protection and child abuse; and guidelines for

responding to allegations, including providing support and taking notes.

Provided with ongoing support for carrying out their particular responsibilities.

4: Implementing a framework for providing safe activities for children

When conducting church sponsored activities involving children, the following guidelines will be

considered and adhered to:

Normal risk assessment for activities be conducted.

Safe activities and environment for children be provided.

Normal workplace health and safety provisions apply.

Appropriate worker/child ratio be maintained.

Appropriate worker/child gender balance be maintained (i.e., ensure that in activities involving

boys and girls, that male and female workers are available to provide supervision).

Appropriate supervision and monitoring of VCF activities is maintained to minimise and manage

situations where peers experience harm caused by their peers.

Code of Conduct for both leaders and workers is followed.

5. Guidelines for responding to incidences or suspected incidences of the abuse of children involved in church sponsored activities.

5.1. Where a ministry leader or volunteer becomes aware or strongly suspects that a child has been harmed whilst involved in church sponsored activities, they shall:

Take immediate steps to ensure that the child is safe and protected from further harm.

Provide the child with support.

Contact the pastor immediately.

As soon as possible, document verbatim the conversation in which the allegation was made or the

incident was observed.

Do not ask leading questions or attempt to investigate in anyway.

Maintain the confidentiality of all the parties involved.

5.2. In instances of inappropriate actions or behaviour by a leader, volunteer, or peer (that is not physical

or sexual abuse), the pastor (or their delegate) shall:

Inform the child’s parents.

Arrange to meet with the alleged offender and provide them with the opportunity to explain.

(If substantiated) counsel them and provide a final warning.

Monitor future behaviour.

The pastor (or their delegate) will provide continued monitoring and support to all involved

throughout the process.

The A2A (National) WCRMO will be notified in writing within seven days of the incident.

5.3. In instances of physical abuse or suspected physical abuse by an adult leader, volunteer (including family members) or a peer (another child) against a child (peer abuse):

The pastor shall be informed immediately.

The pastor shall ascertain the essential facts of the situation and immediately notify the child’s

parents, discuss the situation with them, informing them of their rights to make a formal complaint to police.

The pastor (or their delegate) will provide continued monitoring and support to all involved.

The Crosslink (National) WCRMO will be notified in writing within seven days of the incident.

5.4. In instances of sexual abuse or suspected sexual abuse by an adult leader, volunteer (including family members) or a peer (another child) against a child (peer abuse):

The pastor shall be informed immediately.

The pastor shall ascertain the essential facts of the situation and immediately notify the child’s

parents, discuss the situation with them, and inform them that the pastor will need to contact the

police.

The pastor shall contact the police.

The pastor (or their delegate) will provide continued monitoring and support to all involved

throughout the process.

The Crosslink (National) WCRMO will be notified in writing within seven days of the incident.

5.5. In instances of misconduct or allegations of misconduct by the Senior Pastor (whether of inappropriate behaviour, physical abuse, or sexual abuse as outlined throughout this policy):

The VCF Working with Children Risk Management Officer (WCRMO) shall be informed

immediately.

The VCF WCRMO assumes the responsibilities of the Pastor as outlined in Sub-Sections 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, and Section 6 of this policy.

The VCF WCRMO will, at the earliest possible time, convene an Elders Meeting (excluding the Senior Pastor) to discuss the allegations and to determine a response in keeping with the principles and procedures outlined in this policy.

The VCF WCRMO will notify the Crosslink (National) WCRMO of the allegations writing within seven days.

The VCF WCRMO (in consultation with the Elders) will also inform the A2A National Leadership of the allegations within 14 days.