Church of Holy Spirit
A
safe place for our children ministry
Child Protection Policy
The CHS (Vientiane, Laos) recognizes the
importance of ministry to children and youth as an integral part of the overall
church ministry. The church’s care for the
children and youth is one of the CHS’s responsibilities that allows them to
grow in their fullness of life. The CHS
has been entrusted to nurture the children and youth in a unique context where international
workers are engaged with them as teachers and helpers. This Child Protection Policy will enable and
guide them to clearly practice what is appropriate and good behavior, enhancing
a safe environment for activities carried out by the church.
The Child Protection awareness is required for the
church workers and volunteers who are working with the children. It is also required that the CHS Child
Protection Policy is read and agreed to by signing the attached form.
In the event there are special visitors involved
in children and youth ministry, the regular teachers and helpers will be
present for all events.
Here is the basic procedure to be followed by
everyone who is involved in the CHS children or youth ministry.
All involved in children’s ministry have:
1) attended our weekly morning services consistently
for at least 4 weeks
2) assented to the CHS Statement of Identity
3) completed the two forms attached for personal
information and character references
4) no history of child abuse
5) no criminal
offences (note: the Church committee may choose; however, depending
on the nature
of the criminal office to approve work with children in some situations)
6) been
affirmed to service by the Church Committee (as written in the CHS
Constitution),
after completing the above steps
7) signed
the Appendix 3 in front of two members of the Church Committee
APPENDIX 1
THE CHS Child Protection Policy- Code of Conduct
A Code of Conduct contains rules of appropriate behavior designed to
protect children and youth. It also protects
those who work with children and youth from false accusations of inappropriate
behavior or abuse. The protocols outlined in CHS’s Code of Conduct below apply
to all who work with children and youth. The implementation of this Code of
Conduct will help to ensure that the CHS has taken all reasonable steps to
provide a high standard of care to children and youth.
All
involved in children and youth ministry will strive to:
- Seek to live up to the Christ values in their language, actions, and relationship with all people, especially children.
- Treat all children equally with respect and dignity.
- Interact with children in a professional manner, based upon Christian love and care.
- Plan the work of the church so as to prevent/minimize situations where the abuse of children and young people may occur.
- Issue, publicize and adhere to guidelines on how to deal with the disclosure or discovery of abuse. Advise on the risk of false and malicious claims of abuse.
- Whenever possible, ensure that two adults are present when working with children.
- Allow no inappropriate or culturally insensitive touching or holding of children. All physical contact should be an appropriate response to the child’s needs not the needs of the adult.
- Accept responsibility for one’s behavior and never blame a child, even if a child provokes or acts seductively.
- Avoid any physical activity or verbal remark that is, or could be, construed as sexually stimulating or suggestive to any child.
- Arrange with parents who will supervise young children needing assistance in going to the toilet.
- Refrain from condoning, or participating in, any behavior of children that is illegal, unsafe or abusive.
- Refrain from all physical punishment or discipline of children. Parents should be contacted immediately if any serious disciplinary issues arise.
- Refrain from acting in any ways intending to shame, humiliate, belittle or degrade children.
- Refrain from smoking in the presence of children, or coming to church under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Ensure that any photographs or filming of a children or youth present them in a dignified and respectful manner. Seek permission from parents for photographs used on posters, brochures or the CHS website and ensure names and/or identifying information is not included.
- Receive permission from parents before taking any children or youth off the ARDA premises.
APPENDIX 2
Referring and Reporting Protocol
In the event of incident of suspected and actual
misbehavior toward children, including failure to follow the basic CHS behavior
protocol it must be immediately reported to the CHS’s Pastor or CHS Church Committee
for further referral measurement to the Save the Children organization or
appointed institution.
APPENDIX 3
Signed statement
I ,
_________________________________________, have read and fully understand the CHS
basic procedure protocol and the code of conduct guidelines and agree to consistently
follow them. I confirm that
nothing within my personal or professional background deems me unsuitable for
working with children. I have truthfully
disclosed any criminal records.
Name:___________________________________________________
Date:
_______________________
CHS Committee
Witness 1:
___________________________________________________________________
Date:
_______________________
CHS Committee
Witness 2:
___________________________________________________________________
Date:
_______________________
Confidential Declaration for Volunteers with
Sunday School
Full name:
______________________________________________ (as on passport***)
Current
Nationality (including dual nationality): _________________________________
Nationality
at Birth: _______________________________________
Date of
Birth: ___________________________
Current or
most recent address in home country: ______________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
***Please submit a copy of your passport information page along with
this form.
Last country
lived in: _____________________________________________
Last church
attended / a member of: _______________________________________
Date moved
to Laos: ________________________________
Address in
Laos: ____________________________________________________
Telephone
number: ________________________________________
Email
address:
________________________________________________
Present
service / occupation:
______________________________________
Current
employer: ____________________________________________
Length of
time you intend to stay in Laos: _______________________________________
Date of
first visit to CHS Sunday Service: _______________________________________
I declare all the above information is accurate.
Signature:
________________________________ Date:
________________________
Character
Reference Form
Please give the names of two persons for character reference. One needs
to be available locally to sign the reference form.
