MBC Staff and Next Gen Volunteer Child Safety Commitment
At McLean Bible Church, the safety of children is one of our highest priorities. For this reason, we ask all staff and all Next Gen (KidsQuest, Rock, Access, Awana, and Church Groups) volunteers to commit to uphold our child safety policies.
In the policies below, the term “child” or “children” refers to any individual under the age of 18. However, all internal MBC policies relating to children will apply until the individual has turned 18 AND reached September 1 following his or her final year of high school. The term “younger child” refers to a child (as defined above) who is in fifth grade or younger. The term “student” refers to a child who is in sixth grade or older (until he or she turns 18 and reaches September 1 following his or her final year of high school).
The policies summarized below are outlined in more detail in the document titled, “MBC Child Safety Policy.” By signing this statement, you commit to abide by the entire set of policies, not just the summary below. If you are uncertain about the details of any policy or how it should be applied, you are responsible to request more information from the supervisor of your staff or volunteer position.
Staff/Volunteer Vetting
· I accept MBC’s vetting process for staff and Next Gen volunteers, which includes an application/interview, references, and a background check with fingerprinting. The background check may be occasionally updated.
· I commit to accept any limitations placed on my service by MBC leaders.
· I acknowledge that volunteering at MBC is a privilege and employment is at-will. MBC may end my service or employment at any time and for any reason.
Never Alone with a Child
· I commit never to be alone with an unrelated child in a private setting in association with any MBC program, whether in an MBC building, a car, a home, or any other private setting. I acknowledge that MBC strongly recommends upholding this standard in my entire life.
· I acknowledge MBC’s standard for younger children’s programming that at least two staff/volunteers will be present in each room with younger children and will uphold this standard in any involvement with younger children’s programming.
Digital Contact with a Child
· I commit not to engage in one-on-one digital contact with a child who is not related to me.
· I commit that any digital contact I have with unrelated children will only take place with written consent from a parent of the child, and any digital contact will always include either the parent of the child or another adult who has also received written consent from the parent of the child. This includes interaction on social media which is not publicly visible. Any digital communication that does occur according to the terms of this policy will normally take place during waking hours, defined as 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
· If I participate in any other job or volunteering commitment which involves digital contact with children (such as teaching or serving in a digital tutoring program), I commit to abide by all of the standards set by that job or volunteering commitment.
Bathroom Visits
· I commit to follow MBC’s policies for diaper changing and bathroom visits with children in all my work or service at MBC. These include the commitment that at least two staff/volunteers will be present for diaper changes and for bathroom visits with preschool children, children with disabilities, and adults with disabilities. One staff/volunteer may conduct a bathroom visit for multiple elementary-aged children, but he or she may not enter the bathroom.
Younger Children’s Pick-Up
· I commit to abide by MBC’s policies for pick-up of younger children from KidsQuest, Access, or Awana programming in all my work or service at MBC.
· I commit only to release a younger child for pick-up if the parent, family member, or caretaker presents the tag that matches the child’s tag. If they cannot present the tag, I will elevate the matter to my ministry supervisor or execute MBC’s lost tag process if I have been empowered to do so.
Abuse and Neglect
· I will immediately report suspicions or allegations of abuse or neglect to the MBC Director of Security or to the appropriate ministry director, who will facilitate appropriate actions in response.
· I will immediately report any information about children from MBC involved with suicidal ideation, violent threats, statutory rape, or any sex crime to the MBC Director of Security or to the appropriate ministry director, who will facilitate appropriate actions in response.
· I acknowledge that these requirements do not discourage or prevent me from reporting any allegation directly to legal authorities. I am encouraged to ensure that I have fulfilled any legal reporting requirements.