Our congregation’s purpose for establishing this Safe Sanctuary Policy is to demonstrate our absolute and unwavering commitment to the physical safety and spiritual growth of all vulnerable persons in our church’s care. Therefore, as a Christian community of faith and a United Methodist congregation, we pledge to conduct the ministry of the gospel in ways that assure the safety and spiritual growth of all our vulnerable persons and those who work with them.

SAFE SANCTUARY POLICIES at WEST SIDE UMC

1. All who supervise children/youth in our church will be at least four years older than any children/youth they supervise and will have been actively involved in our church ministry for at least six months. (When youth helpers are used, they will be at least twelve years of age and always be supervised by adults).

2. Two screened adults should occupy the same space for children and youth programs. 

3. If the two-adult rule cannot be observed, a screened, designated roamer regularly checks on groups with only one adult.

4. Encourage parents to take children to the bathroom before they come to class; if a bathroom break is necessary, check that the bathroom has no adults. Stand outside the bathroom and let the child go, ensuring no adults enter the bathroom while the child is in the bathroom.  Have the child take a buddy if possible.  If a child needs assistance, have two adults present.

5. Activities with children, youth, and other vulnerable populations should be publicly accessible. Anyone has the right to visit and observe the children’s/youth’s/other vulnerable person’s activity, classroom, or church-sponsored program at any time, unannounced, as long as the two-adult rule is being followed. Exceptions to this right may be issued at the discretion of church leadership.

6. All volunteers must complete a yearly background through our office admin at West Side. All applications will be kept on file for all workers, paid and volunteer, and complete national background checks for all workers, paid and volunteers.

7. One-on-one interactions with children and youth will be with an open door and visible to all. The pastor, parent or guardian, or another screened adult should be aware of any such interactions.

8. All classroom and office doors will have a window or be visible from the hallway, or doors should remain open while the room is occupied.

9. Children and youth will be checked into and out of a church-sponsored activity by their parent or legal guardian or people authorized by the parent/legal guardian.

10. Adult leaders are never to spank, hit, grab, shake, or otherwise physically discipline anyone except for the minimum physical restraint to ensure the child’s and others' safety. Corporal punishment may not be used. Disciplinary problems should be reported to the ministry leader.

11. Adult leaders and volunteers should not “friend” or “follow” a minor on social media, send direct messages, texts, emails, or take photos of minors without permission or guidance from designated church staff. If a student initiates a connection, the child, youth, or vulnerable person’s parent or guardian, as well as the pastor in charge, shall be notified.

12. All in-person protection policies apply to online platform meetings like Zoom, Skype, Messenger, etc.. (For example, two unrelated adults should be present in the virtual room just as they would be in a physical room.)

13. If a suspected incident of child abuse or neglect occurs or is revealed to a volunteer/paid staff person at West Side UMC-sponsored activity, the adult in charge of the activity will:

• Ensure the safety of the child, youth, or other vulnerable persons.

• Call the ministry supervisor, pastor in charge, or designee.

• Call the appropriate county/state hotline.