Safeguarding the physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being of young people and other vulnerable adults may be one of the most important responsibilities of any ministry organization. This checklist covers the following questions:
Do you ask volunteers to wait until they are associated with your ministry for at least six months before allowing them involvement with children of any age?
Do you invest in a background screening program for all employees, regardless of position, and volunteers who work with children, youth, or vulnerable adults?
Do your ministry screening procedures include investigation into prior church membership and volunteer work, reference checks, and criminal records checks?
If you do not require the presence of two adults, do you require that the “Rule of 3” be followed—requiring that a youth ministry worker is never alone with an individual minor?
Do you ensure an adequate number of adult chaperones for all off-premise events, especially those that involve overnight stays?
Do you discourage the use of teenagers as childcare workers unless they are screened and are working alongside two adults?
Do you use a “claim check” procedure so that children are released only to a parent, guardian, or other authorized person?
Do your children’s and youth ministry leaders have familiarity with state and federal laws regarding reporting child abuse and neglect, and have they been trained in how to comply with these laws?
Do your staff members and volunteers know how to identify inappropriate behavior and the procedures for reporting such conduct?
Posted 2022.
This is a sample document only. Your organization is responsible for compliance with all applicable laws. Accordingly, this checklist should not be used or adopted by your organization without first being reviewed and approved by a licensed attorney in your state. Brotherhood Mutual Insurance Company assumes no liability in the preparation and distribution of this checklist.
