Adopted
December 10, 2013
CHILD PROTECTION POLICY DEFINITION OF TERMS
For the purpose of this child protection policy, the term “child abuse” includes physical abuse and sexual abuse, and is defined as follows:
- The term “Physical Abuse” refers to any serious physical injury, which is not explainable by the available medical history as being accidental.
- The term “Sexual Abuse” refers to the persuasion, inducement, enticement, or coercion of any child to engage in any sexually explicit conduct, including rape, molestation, and incest, as well as any other form of sexual exploitation of children.
- The terms "Child" and "Children" refer to minors whose age is between birth and 18 years.
- The term “Child Protection Policy Approved Worker” (CPPAW) refers to someone who (1) is 18 years of age or older, (2) has satisfactorily completed the Child Protection Policy application process and (3) has been screened and approved by the school leadership for ministry work involving children.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this policy is to set guidelines by which to conduct our ministry to children in order to protect our children from the potential of abuse, and to protect our workers from the potential of false accusations of child abuse.
SCOPE
- All applicants for employment or volunteer work at Claremont Christian Academy must sign the CHILD PROTECTION POLICY STATEMENT OF COOPERATION, attesting that they have read, and understand, and agree to uphold and abide by the principles and procedures of the policy.
- Parents may help or volunteer during youth activities in a "last minute" situation, but must be accompanied by a CPP approved worker.
APPLICATION PROCESS
CCA employees must complete a CCA Employee Application which includes a ministry application portion. Additionally, applicants for volunteer work and employment will be subjected to a background check.
Guidelines for Providing a Safe Ministry Environment and Preventing Allegations of Child Abuse
LEADERS
All children's group activities must have at least two CPPAWs scheduled for attendance, except those activities being conducted during the regular CCA class time which may consist of only one CPPAW per class. (any assistant less than 18 years of age must be supervised by a CPPAW).
MALE LEADERS
Men are not permitted to take girls to the restroom. In the event it is necessary to take a child to the restroom, workers should observe the following:
- Provide as much privacy for the child as possible.
- Only enter the stall when necessary, keeping the stall door ajar.
ROOM REQUIREMENTS
All rooms used by adults and minors simultaneously should be accessible (no locked doors) and have open visibility (at least an unobstructed interior window, or the door left open).
PHYSICAL CONTACT
Use discretion when having physical contact with a child. Having another adult present is preferred.
SUPERVISORS
Supervisory personnel should make random visits to classrooms and other areas occupied by children.
ACCOUNTABILITY
The Director of Claremont Christian Academy, being accountable to the School Board, will submit an annual calendar of events, including a seasonal sport event schedule, and routine visits to nursing homes, etc., to the Board of Elders in September. Although long range planning is strongly encouraged, spontaneous changes or additions (such as day field trips) to the CCA Calendar of Events may be handled by completing the CLAREMONT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY EVENT ITINERARY FORM and filing it with the church office before leaving.
OVERNIGHT ACTIVITIES
All Claremont Christian Academy sponsored activities involving minors being kept overnight require the submission of an OVERNIGHT ACTIVITY ITINERARY FORM to the School Board prior to the event. A final list of names of participants must be filed with the school office before the start of the event, or before leaving, if the event is off school property. This list must also contain the name and phone number of the parent or guardian for each child listed.
PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT
Parents are welcome to observe their children in class, or group activities. Parents who wish to observe for more than a few days must complete the ministry application process. However, completing the application process should not be construed as approval for a ministry worker position.
TEACHER/STUDENT ONE-ON-ONE COUNSELING
If a teacher or children's ministry volunteer desires one-on-one time with a child off school property, he/she must complete a ONE-ON-ONE PERMISSION FORM indicating what time the child will be picked up, where they will be, and when the child will be returned, and have it signed by the child's parent or guardian. A public setting is preferred for such one-on-one meetings.
OVERSIGHT, SPECIAL CARE, AND TRANSPORTATION OF CHILDREN
The intent of this policy is to, as much as is reasonably possible, prevent any opportunity for a child to be alone with anyone other than his/her parent/guardian while under the care and supervision of Claremont Christian Academy. Those who are involved in children’s ministries, in any capacity, are strongly encouraged not to provide general oversight, special care, or transportation for someone else’s child or teenager without special written parental permission or having another responsible individual present. Furthermore, we respect a CPPAW’s right to abstain from personally providing such services under any circumstances. It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to provide transportation for his/her own child(ren) to and from CCA sponsored activities in a timely manner. Unfortunately, circumstances occasionally prevail that result in the parent/guardian requesting that a CPPAW provide such services in their absence. Therefore, parents are encouraged to complete the SPECIAL PARENTAL PERMISSION FORM, thereby giving permission for their child(ren) to be alone with a specific CPPAW at school, or for the purposes of transportation, strictly as a convenience to the parent. However, completing the permission form does not obligate the CPPAW to provide such services for someone else’s child or teenager under any circumstances. Any such arrangements must to be worked out between the parent/guardian and the CPPAW on an individual basis. In the event the CPPAW is willing to agree to such arrangements, the CPPAW should request that a SPECIAL PARENTAL PERMISSION FORM be filled out by the parent/guardian in advance. The original permission form will be kept on file in the school office. A copy of the permission form should also be retained by the CPPAW. This voluntary permission must be renewed annually and may be revoked at anytime, by either party, without prior notice. The SPECIAL PARENTAL PERMISSION FORM may be obtained at the school office.
DROPPING OFF AND PICKING UP CHILDREN
It is preferred that the parent or guardian bring their child to and from CCA and CCA sponsored activities. When a child is dropped off by someone other than their parent, guardian or authorized person to transport (listed under emergency information on Gradelink management system), they should be accompanied by a currently dated permission slip, signed by the parent or guardian, that clearly indicates who is expected to pick up their child after school or the activity. If a child indicates that she/he is to be picked up by someone other than the parent or guardian, and no permission slip has been provided, the CCA staff worker or volunteer must immediately contact the parent or guardian by phone to confirm the pick up arrangements. At that time, the CCA staff worker or volunteer should also request that a permission slip be provided for future such arrangements to minimize risk to the child, confusion for other staff workers or volunteers, and bothersome last-minute phone calls.
Procedures to follow for all Claremont Christian Academy Employees and Volunteers
When You Observe a Co Worker/Volunteer Disregarding the Child Protection Policy Guidelines:
Follow the example set for us in Matthew 18:15-17, when confronting the situation. Let your first assumption be that the negligence is due to an oversight of policy guidelines. Always speak the truth in love.
When You Observe Child Abuse Taking Place:
All wrong types of touching, or other inappropriate behavior or language, that you observe first hand, should be immediately reported to the appropriate Director, School Board Chairman or other Board members.
Maintain absolute discretion in the handling of this matter.
Go with the Director, School Board Chairman or other Board member to confront the person in question regarding the observed behavior.
Record the allegations on the CLAREMONT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY CHILD ABUSE REPORTING FORM obtained from the school office and submit a copy of the completed form to one of the Board Members.
The School Board leadership will then begin proceedings that would include, but not be limited to, informing the state and local authorities, informing the parents of the victim, and meeting with the accused.
When You are Accused of Child Abuse:
Any Claremont Christian Academy employee or volunteer worker who is accused of child abuse will immediately report the incident to the Director or Chairman of the Board and voluntarily relinquish their duties and abstain from any involvement in children’s or youth ministries. Reinstatement to a ministerial position will be at the discretion of the school leadership, and notification of such reinstatement will be made in writing.
Our Commitment Once Child Abuse has been Confirmed Supporting the Victim
We commit to supporting the victim and the victim's family throughout the recovery process by aiding in the following ways, as well as any other ways deemed appropriate at the time by the Claremont Christian Academy School Board, regardless of any legal action brought upon the school by or in behalf of the victim:
Uphold them in prayer.
Provide counseling from Calvary Baptist Church’s pastoral staff.
Assist in arranging for Christian counseling outside of Calvary Baptist Church, if so desired by the victim’s family.
Cooperating with Authorities
We commit to fully cooperate with civil authorities, as dictated by the laws of the state of New Hampshire, in the reporting of an incident of child abuse, and in any ensuing legal investigation or action.
Restoring the Abuser
We commit to follow the guidelines of Galatians 6: 1-5 in seeking repentance on the part of the abuser, and subsequently, restoration to a right relationship with God and to fellowship with Claremont Christian Academy. However, reinstatement to a ministry involving children or youth at Claremont Christian Academy will not be permitted.
