Allison Creek Presbyterian Church

A Safe Place for Children – Policies and Procedures

Purpose

It is the purpose of the members and staff of Allison Creek Presbyterian Church to provide a safe and secure environment for children, youth, and mentally handicapped persons entrusted to our care.  We do this to encourage those children, youth, mentally handicapped and their families to grow in their relationship with God and one another.

We make a covenant to undertake the Christian nurture of each child when she or he is baptized.  Our commitment to Christian nurture means that we will help care for these children by providing them with a safe and nurturing environment, as well as teaching them the gospel and living out the faith as positive role models.

With this formal written policy, Allison Creek Presbyterian Church affirms the right of children, youth, and mentally handicapped to be protected from sexual/physical/emotional abuse and neglect, and the right of volunteers and staff to be protected from false allegations of abuse and neglect.

Employee and Volunteer Screening

As an organization committed to developing strategies for the prevention of child abuse in the church, the session of Allison Creek Presbyterian Church is determined that any and all adults/teenagers who serve on behalf of Allison Creek Presbyterian Church with any children/youth will be properly selected, screened, trained, and supervised to minimize the risk of child abuse at Allison Creek Presbyterian Church by volunteers or employees.

All staff and volunteers must complete a training class (annually) before working with children/youth.

Staff – all staff, including pre-school teachers and clergy.

Application/ references

Reference check authorization

National Criminal background check

Background check authorization

Personal interview

Volunteers – all volunteers involved in overnight activities, counseling, and one – on- one mentorship with children/youth.

Volunteer application form/references

Reference check authorization

National Criminal background check

Background check authorization.

Personal interview

If attending  Allison Creek Presbyterian Church for less than 6 months, must provide a reference from a previous church or organization in which they served with children/youth.

Volunteers – (adult and teenager) working with children/youth in situations other than those listed above.

Volunteer – (adult or teenager) application form

If attending Allison Presbyterian Church for less than 6 months, must provide a reference from a previous church or organization in which they served with children/youth or give names of two church members who can verify character.

All information will be held in strictest confidence.