SAFE PLACE

1. UPPER ROOM PROTECTION PLAN TRAINING SAFE PLACE

2. INTRODUCTION “They will live in safety, and no one will frighten them.” Ezekiel 34:28

3. STRONG GATE KEEPERS The Church should be safe and secure place for children. The Church should be a highly unsafe place for abusers.

4. SECURITY • Houses • Banks • Cars • Pets Why not secure children too?

6. Upper Room Child Protection Manual SAFE PLACE SP Policies and procedures to ensure that all Workers and those associated with Upper Room are knowledgeable about and take specific measures to protect children in the course of their work. Each volunteer is required to read this manual and agree to its policies.

7. CODE OF CONDUCT While every Worker is valued and unique, we come together as an body in the best interests of children and their families. The safety, rights and well-being of children we serve are at the core of our church’s operations. “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them.” MARK 10:14

8. Worker misconduct will not be tolerated, especially as it relates to the well-being of the children in church’s care. Misconduct refers to inappropriate behaviour in the organization and includes but is not limited to any/all of the following: Communication that goes beyond the Worker’s volunteer/employment responsibilities with the child and/or does not occur within the context of their duties and responsibilities and is done without parental consent/knowledge such as:

9. Communication with Children • Communication that goes beyond the Worker’s volunteer/employment responsibilities and without consent. • Writing personal letters or text messages to a child. • Making personal phone calls to a child. • Having personal Internet exchanges with a child (email, instant messaging, chatting, social networking, etc.). • Sending personalized gifts to a child. • Offering unauthorized rides to an individual child. • Favouring a child.

10. Communication with Children Communication that goes beyond the Worker’s volunteer/employment responsibilities and without consent. • Spending time with a child outside of designated work times and activities (except where such activity results from a parent-initiated request and the activity has been disclosed to and approved by the appropriate leaders or parents in advance). • Telling sexual jokes to a child. • Showing a child sexually explicit or sexist material, signs, cartoons, calendars, literature, photographs, or displaying such material in plain view. • Taking pictures of a child, except when specifically requested to do so by the organization and provided that only cameras owned or under the control of the organization are used to take such pictures.

11. Proper Displays of AffectionAppropriate Touch: Recognizing that children need appropriate displays of affection that reflect pure, genuine and positive displays of God’s love, appropriate touch of children will be age and developmentally appropriate. We encourage Workers to: Hold a preschool child who is crying. Speak to a child at eye level and listen with your eyes as well as your ears. Hold a child’s hand when speaking, listening or walking with him/her to an activity.

12. Proper Displays of AffectionAppropriate Touch: • Gently hold the child’s shoulder or hand to keep his/her attention while you redirect the child’s behaviour. • Put your arm around the shoulder of a child when comforting or quieting is needed. • Pat a child on the head, hand, shoulder or back to affirm him/her. •  All touch must be done in view of others.

13. Proper Displays of AffectionInappropriate Touch: Recognizing that the innocence of children must be protected, Workers understand that the following actions are deemed misconduct and will not be permitted: • Do not kiss a child or coax a child to kiss you. • Do not engage in extended hugging and tickling. • Do not hold a child’s face when talking to or disciplining the child. • Do not touch a child in any area that would be covered by a bathing suit. (strictly prohibited except in cases of diapering and assisting preschoolers as outlined in washroom procedures).

14. Proper Displays of AffectionInappropriate Touch: • Do not carry children 36 months and older. • do not allow children 36 months and older on your lap. • Avoid prolonged physical contact with a child. Workers are never to be left alone with child/children

15. Proper Displays of AffectionInappropriate Touch: Some of you asked this: Regarding inappropriate touch – do not carry children or let them sit on your lap. I would think this does not apply to infants. What about toddlers and preschool kids? Some 3 year olds voluntarily sit on workers laps when reading a story or needing comfort. Is this appropriate? School-age children – no carrying, no sitting on laps Preschool children – carrying is permitted but sit beside for stories or comfort – all workers Toddlers– carrying is permitted and laps are permitted but not by male workers Nursery– carrying and laps are permitted. *If a child “plops” into your lap, do not reject them. Simply cuddle and lift them beside you to snuggle up.

16. Workers of Upper Room Community Church must: • Adhere to the church’s policies and procedures in dealing with children. • Treat children with respect and dignity. • Treat all allegations or suspicions of sexual misconduct seriously. It is every Worker’s responsibility to report allegations or suspicions. • Follow established procedures when reporting any allegations of misconduct or potential policy violations. • Consider the final outcomes of any behaviour, as well as a child’s reaction to any activities, conversations, or interactions so as to avoid embarrassing, shaming, or humiliating the child. • Establish, respect, and maintain boundaries with all children.

17. Workers of Upper Room Community Church must not: • Engage in any activity that endangers a child or makes a child feel uncomfortable. • Engage in any activity that goes against the organization’s mandate, policies, or code of conduct. • Make any sort of remark, comment, or joke to/regarding a child that is in any way suggestive, explicit, or sexual. • Engage in any sort of physical contact with a child that may make the child feel uncomfortable, or that violates reasonable boundaries.

18. Workers of Upper Room Community Church must not: • Conduct their own investigation into allegations or suspicions of sexual misconduct — it is a Worker’s duty to report, not to investigate. • Place a child in danger from anyone, either in or outside of the church. • Offer any child “special” treatment that falls outside of the organization’s mandate, or that may (or may appear to) lace a child at risk of exploitation.

19. Workers of Upper Room Community Church should consider whether: • The activities they are engaging in with a child are known to, or approved by leaders, supervisors and/or parents. Child interactions should not be kept secret. They should be transparent. • Activities would raise concerns in the mind of a reasonable observer as to their appropriateness.

20. Workers of Upper Room Community Church should consider whether: • The church may be detrimentally affected by the Workers activities. • The activity may be reasonably regarded as posing a risk to the personal integrity or security of a child. • The activity may contribute to a child’s discomfort. • The activity may appear inappropriate to the church, the child’s family, or the public.

21. Child Abuse Definitions Physical Abuse • The use of force against a child in such a way that the child is either injured or at risk of being injured. Physical abuse can be overtly aggressive (e.g. beating, hitting, shaking, pushing, choking, biting, burning, kicking, or assaulting a child with a weapon) or can be more subtle and less obvious (e.g. bumping, pushing, restraining, pinching, squeezing an arm or leg).

22. Child Abuse Definitions Emotional Abuse • Emotional abuse is a chronic pattern of behaviour towards a child that causes negative effects on his/her emotional development. Examples include verbal threats, social isolation, ignoring, intimidation, put-downs, exploitation, and unreasonable demands. • A single episode of name-calling would be considered inappropriate, but would not necessarily constitute emotional abuse. Repetitive name-calling or the intentional damaging of a child’s self-esteem, however, would be considered abusive. A single incident of high intensity emotional abuse/trauma would also qualify.

23. Child Abuse Definitions Neglect • Neglect is the failure to provide basic needs including physical, educational, emotional, etc. Neglect can also include such things as failure to provide proper medical care, adequate clothing or supervision.

24. Child Abuse Definitions Child Sexual Abuse Any form of adult/child sexualized interaction constitutes child sexual abuse. Contact sexual abuse includes: Touching the genital area, over or under clothing Touching breasts, over or under clothing Touching another’s genital area Oral sex Vaginal or anal penetration with a part of the body or an object

25. Child Abuse Definitions Sexual abuse of a child may occur through behaviours that do not involve actual physical contact. • Non-contact sexual abuse includes: • Invitation to touch another in a sexual way • Voyeurism (i.e. “Peeping Tom”) • Encouraging or forcing a child to masturbate or to watch others masturbate • Indecent exposure (i.e. “flashing”) • Involving children in the viewing or production of pornographic materials, or watching sexual activities • Encouraging children to behave in sexually inappropriate ways 

26. SPRIRITUAL ABUSE Twisting scriptural truths to manipulate a child into behaviors that are desirable to the adult and for the adult’s pleasure or motivation.

27. A Child In Need of Protection Section 72 (1) of the Child and Family Services Act • Despite the provisions of any other Act, if a person, including a person who performs professional or official duties with respect to children, has reasonable grounds to suspect that a child may be in need of protection, they must make a report directly to CAS

28. KEEPING RECORDS There is no statute of limitations on child abuse therefore: We keep records of every Sunday Treehouse Service as well as every major event where children gather with leaders.

29. SAFE PLACE POLICIES CLASS GUIDELINES Ministry Personnel/Child Ratios: • One Worker for every 3 infants (birth – 17 months) • One Worker for every 6 toddlers or 8 preschoolers (ages 18 months – 4 years) • One Worker for every 8 JK/SK children (ages 4/5) • One Worker for every 10 elementary students (ages 5+) • Each Ministry Personnel must sign in when entering the children’s area and sign out when they leave.

31. OCCASIONAL OBSERVERS • Please welcome parents who want to be with their child as occasional observers as this shows transparency to newcomers • Occasional observers who join a class – write down their name in the attendance book and keep on file with the class attendance for that day. • Observers will be clearly identified and if they have not been screened and approved they will not be placed in a position of trust with children who are not their own. . VISITOR

32. REMEMBER NO ONE SHOULD EVER BE ALONE WITH A CHILD IN AN UNSUPERVISED WASHEROOM NEVER GO INTO THE CUBICLE WITH A CHILD AND SHUT THE DOOR.

33. Health and Safety Guidelines • Coordinators and Workers are to be encouraged to be certified and trained in first aid. • The names and contact information of individuals who are certified in first aid are to be posted in the Treehouse Blue Cabinets and Church Office for easy access. • Coordinators must be informed of any children or youth having severe allergies. The information will be posted in the children’s and youth departments for easy, access and Worker who have the child/youth in their care will be informed. • The cleaning and sanitation of toys and table surfaces must be done at least monthly.

34. SEVERE ALLERGIES • Parents and caregivers are responsible for notifying the church of any known allergies which their children have. This information is to be noted on their registration form. • The notification of severe allergies will be kept in the Class Binder, a list of his/her allergies and typical signs of reaction. Worker assigned to care for the child must check their binder and make themselves aware of the allergy and the treatment required if a reaction occurs. • In recognition of individuals with severe peanut allergies, we will strive to provide a peanut free environment.

35. Medications • Worker are not to give or apply any medications. Parents are to be contacted and should administer all medications. • Medication is not to be left in a classroom. When a child brings medication, the medication is to be kept in the possession of the Coordinator or their designate. • In the extreme case where Epi-pens and puffers are needed for allergies or asthma, written instructions are to be provided by the parent or guardian to the Coordinator. Requests should be written, signed, dated and filed permanently. • Topical medications for diaper changing purposes are to be used only when instructed and provided by the parent or guardian.

36. HEALTH AND SAFETY • Know who has allergies and where their medications are located • Keep pager #’s, cell phone numbers (class binder) and walkie-talkies within reach • Watch and know how to deal with medications and epi-pens.

37. REPORTING AND RESPONSE • You may come into the knowledge of abuse in two ways: • You have a reasonable suspicion of abuse. • You hear an allegation of abuse.

38. REPORTING AND RESPONSE • All allegations and/or suspicions of abuse will be taken seriously. • All cases of suspected child abuse must be investigated.

39. REPORTING AND RESPONSE Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy. Proverbs 31:8, 9

40. Upper Room Community Church is committed to: • Ensuring that prompt action is taken in regard to allegations of abuse (and reporting to child welfare and/or law enforcement agency and/or parents). • Ensuring we create an environment that encourages reporting. • Treating all complaints as confidential.

41. Parameters • This policy applies to all Workers of Upper Room Community Churchincluding full-time, part-time, contract, temporary or casual, ushers, set-up crews, elders and those deemed to be in a position of trust (refers to a position of authority over another person or a perceived position of authority ) • Workers are required to immediately report all disclosures, allegations or indicators of sexual abuse regardless of source or content.

42. REPORTING & RESPONSEWhat if a child tells me they are being abused? • Take all allegations seriously • Don’t ask leading questions • Don’t contact the accused or any other parties • Reassure the child WITHOUT MAKING PROMISES • Keep the information confidential

43. Inform Leadership • Inform Lead Pastor and Family Ministry Pastor immediately • They will document your discussion also on the Suspected Abuse Report Form • They/You report to Children’s Aid Society • Protect confidentiality of victim and the accused • Cooperate with the investigation • Leave the scrutiny to the professionals

44. REPORTING CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECTIT’S YOUR DUTY NOTIFY: Lead Pastor /Family Ministry Pastor Child Protection Service Newmarket (905) 895-2318 or 1-800-718-3850 If someone has reasonable grounds to suspect that a child is or may be in need of protection, they must make a report directly to a children’s aid society.

45. REPORTING AND RESPONSE You Asked: In what situation would I need to report abuse the Child Welfare Agency on my own? Wouldn’t that always be done with a pastor? Answer: The only situation where you would need to report to the Agency on your own would be if you had a suspicion of abuse or heard directly of abuse and your pastor sloughed it off as unimportant. It is the law that you report it – regardless of other peoples’ advice - no matter how respected.

46. REPORTING AND RESPONSE WHAT IF ONE OF US IS ACCUSED? • No access to children or youth • Clear guidelines provided • Discretion - protect reputation – innocent until proven – need to know sharing • Confidentiality protected • Allow Children’s Aid to investigate • Document the outcome

47. EMERGENCY EVACUATIONAMC THEATRE • ON HEARING 1st Stage Alarm • (slow intermittent signal) • Prepare To Leave the building • ON HEARING 2nd Stage Alarm • (rapid intermittent signal) • LEAVE BUILDING Via Nearest Stair Exit Take your sign in/out registration binders! Take your kids!

48. EMERGENCY EVACUATION AMC THEATRE WORKERS • Please remember to bring registration books when you exit so that we have an accurate count of children. • Inclement weather: Please meet parents at the Ministry Centre. PARENTS • May sign their baby/child (Nursery & Toddlers Only) out at the 1stStage alarm only. • Otherwise, meet your baby/child outside in the Courtyard at the front of the AMC Theatres or, in the case of inclement weather, at the Ministry Centre. • It is much safer, on hearing the 2nd Stage alarm, to keep the aisles clear and allow our Workers and Ushers to bring your baby and children outside safely. Do not leave the Courtyard, Ministry Centre or sign out your children until the “All-Clear” has been given by Lead Pastor.

49. Supreme Court of Canada “I urge all Christian leaders to be proactive and ensure that all things are done in agreement with Paul’s advice to the Corinthians: “For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of man.” Christian ministries must be a model for the world in how we handle the potential for abuse.” – John Pellowe, CEO Canadian Council of Christian Charities

50. LET’S SPEAK FOR CHILDREN “Children have neither power nor property. Voices other than their own must speak for them. If those voices are silent, then children who are victims of abuse may . . . taste the bitter emptiness of violated childhoods.” Abuse Prevention Newsletter 2005,3