Safe Sanctuary Policy

We at Aldersgate believe that the safety and well being of our children is of utmost importance. We have instated a Safe Sanctuary Policy at our church, as laid out by the SC Annual Conference. Below, you will find a listing of the guidelines set forth by our church. To learn more specifically how we have outlined our Safe Sanctuary Policy, please feel free to contact us with your questions or concerns.

Safe Sanctuaries Policy Summary

Purpose: The purpose of the Safe Sanctuary Policy is to establish and implement procedures to protect the physical, emotional, and spiritual safety of all children, youth, and vulnerable adults that come to Aldersgate UMC; to protect both our paid and volunteer staff from potential false allegations of abuse; and to reduce the risk of legal liability.

Staff Recruitment and Selection:

1. Volunteers and paid staff working in any position of authority with children, youth, and vulnerable adults, must be at least 21 years of age and at least 5 years older than the age of the persons with whom they are working. Volunteers and paid staff shall also have at least 6 months of active involvement within Aldersgate UMC.

2. Forms to be submitted by volunteers and paid staff include the following: a Background and Vehicle Records Authorization form; a Volunteer Application/Reference form; and a Church Covenant form. Each volunteer and paid staff will be interviewed by at least one of the following: the pastor; the SPRC chairperson or member of the SPRC committee; the leader of the group or organization for which the volunteer or paid staff is applying.

3. Church leaders will check at least three references for each worker and those references shall be from individuals not related to the worker. The references will be contacted by phone, mail, or in person. Criminal background checks s hall be made of all clergy and paid staff, and also of all volunteers who have supervisory program responsibility for children, youth (e.g. youth group leaders), and vulnerable adults, to the extent permitted by law, prior to employment, to determine current or historic child abuse or sexual misconduct, criminal records, violent or pedophiliac behavior.

Staff Supervision Guidelines:

1. Two approved adults must be present at all times. This applies to classroom activities, activities away from the church facility, and when transporting children, youth, or vulnerable adults.

2. Further protection for the children, youth or vulnerable adults requires that an open door policy be followed, which allows the pastor, any paid staff, and any parent the right to look in at any time.

3. All classroom and office doors will have a window or visibility from hallway or remain open while occupied. Outside windows will be kept free from adornment w hich obstructs vision and kept locked at all times. Doors that do not have visibility from the outside will be replaced with doors with windows.

4. Prior to working in the youth or children department, workers must undergo child protection safety training. Initial training on issues of child sexual abuse in church settings shall be required for all clergy, paid staff and volunteers who regularly supervise youth activities (e.g. youth group leaders) and all other church employees.

Reporting Allegations of Abuse:

1. Immediately protect and care for the child, youth, or vulnerable adult

2. Immediately notify the pastor, SPRC chairperson and possibly the District Superintendent.

3. Immediately notify the proper authorities.

4. Remove the accused from further involvement with children, youth, or vulnerable adults.

5. Any contact with the media should be handled by the District Superintendent or his or her designee.

6. Care shall be taken to safeguard the privacy and confidentiality of all involved. The spokesperson should generally convey that the matter is under investigation and any comments made prior to the conclusion of the investigation would be premature.