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Safe Church Team Resources

The Safe Church Team of Classis (formerly known as the Classis Abuse Response Team) is pleased to share with Classis Toronto Churches sample resources for an Abuse Prevention Policy in your Church!

In response to the 2005 Survey and requests from various Churches, the Safe Church Team has revised and compiled a sample resource in CD format.  The information contained on this CD can be used to initiate a program if you currently do not have one, or to enhance your existing program.

As you are aware, Classis Toronto and Synod recommends that your Church have a Safe Church Abuse Prevention Program. The Safe Church Team passionately endorses this recommendation and seeks to assist your Church by providing Resources and other support as needed.

The Safe Church Team continues to provide support through an Advisory Panel should a situation arise within your Church.

The Safe Church Team would be happy to assist you in the use of the Resource Guide CD.

Please note that the name change to Safe Church Team, is in process and there will be further information pertaining to this in the near future.

Please feel free to contact Classis Toronto, Ministry Coordinator at 416-528-2461 or ministrycoordinator@classistoronto.org, should you require further information and to order a copy of the CD.

Sincerely,

The Safe Church Team,

Classis Toronto.

To receive a copy of the CD please contact the Ministry Coordinator at 416-528-2461 or ministrycoordinator@classistoronto.org 

What is in the CD?

1. Why a Safe Church Program?

   1. Board of Trustees - Five Guiding Principles

   2. A Sample of a Safe Church Policy Statement and Code of Ethics

2. Definitions

   1. Definitions of Child Abuse

   2. Child Protection Procedures (definitions & guidelines)

3. Screening  

   1. Recommended screening steps

   2. Volunteer Forms (for both leaders and volunteers within the program)

   3. Interview guidelines

   4. Criminal and Police checks

   5. Sample Police check

4. Operational Procedures

   1. Sample outline for Safe Church Program

   2. Leader checklist (for individual program)

   3. Summary spread sheet – yearly for Safe Church Co-coordinator (MSExcel)

   4. Safe Church program – Team members

   5. Leader Commitment Form

   6. Program Volunteers Code of Ethics

   7. Volunteer Declaration of Agreement & Understanding

   8. Council Member Commitment Form

   9. Hall Monitor Commitment Form

   10. Guidelines for Hall Monitors

   11. Guidelines for Youth Groups

   12. Guidelines for Children’s worship, Church school/Sunday school

   13. Guidelines for GEMS

   14. Guidelines for Boys Club, Cadets or sports club

   15. Guidelines for Nursery

   16. Guidelines for KIDS club

   17. Kids Club (or other) Registration/Release form

   18. Guidelines for VBS

   19. Guidelines for Friendship Ministries

   20. Guidelines for Pastoral Care

   21. Medical Information Form (optional for children’s programs and nursery)

   22. Youth Passengers Consent Form

   23. Transportation guidelines

5. Premises

   1. Changes to Church Premises

6. Training – THIS SECTION IN PROGRESS

   1. Training Guidelines (a basic outline)

   2. Role Play examples

7. Responding – Safe Church Response Team (Classis)

   1. SCRT guidelines

i.         general – ‘what you need to know’

ii.       with a minor

iii.      with an adult

iv.     Victim statement

v.       Accused Statement

vi.     church council member

vii.    Witness statement

2. Advisory Panel Process

i.         see: http://www.crcna.org/pages/safechurch_teams.cfm

ii.       Panel Process Brochure

iii.      Incident Report

iv.     Legal Duty to report  

8. Liability

   1. Liability Insurance Recommendations

9. Cover Letters – SAMPLES

   1. To Council

   2. To Program Leaders

The Safe Church Team provides these document as a resource guide only and assumes no responsibility for use or modifications.

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