Safe Sanctuaries Policy for Volunteers 2025 

Child/Youth/Vulnerable Adult Protection Policy

In order to protect our children, youth (up to age 18), and vulnerable adults from the undue risk of verbal, physical, and sexual abuse and misconduct; and to protect our staff and volunteers who work with children and youth from false accusations, Central UMC has established the following policy. All church ministries, including the Preschool Program, that work with children, youth, and vulnerable adults must adhere to this policy.

All full-time and part-time paid staff and clergy, along with volunteers who work with children, youth, and vulnerable adults will be screened and provided with a copy of Central's Safe Sanctuaries Policy. Each area of ministry is responsible for evaluating the suitability of its volunteers: children’s volunteers under the supervision of the Director of Children’s Ministries for those working with children 5th grade and under; the youth volunteers under the supervision of the Minister of Youth Discipleship for 6ththrough 12th graders; the adult volunteers under the supervision of the Director of Adult and Family Ministries under for our vulnerable adults, and the Preschool Program volunteers under the supervision of the Preschool Director. The Staff/Parish Committee is responsible for evaluating clergy and paid employees. Each area is also responsible for training and supervising its volunteers and staff. 

1) The primary screening procedure will be: 

a) Completion of the Child/Youth/Vulnerable Adults Worker Application and Screening

b) Signing of an Authorization for Consent of a Background Check

c) A personal interview:

• All paid employees will have a personal interview

• The right is reserved to interview potential volunteers

d) Reference Checks – The right is reserved to contact references listed on the application and screening form.

e) The sex offender registration lists of South Carolina will be checked against all employees and volunteers.

2) Adults or youth who have been convicted of either sexual or physical abuse of minors or vulnerable adults, or who have a history of inappropriate conduct involving actual or attempted physical or sexual abuse with individuals in these groups, are not allowed to work with or interact with minors or vulnerable adults.

3) Volunteers must be members or regular attendees of Central United Methodist Church for a minimum of six months before being eligible to work as a teacher or worker with children, youth, and vulnerable adults. However, this time requirement may be waived after the applicant’s references and other background information are verified. Any volunteers or paid staff under the age of 18 must have adult supervision at all times.

4) Those working with children, youth, and vulnerable adults in organized activities and travel shall observe the “two-person rule” and/or the “open-view rule” at all times. The “two-person rule” requires that employees, volunteers, and supervisors avoid situations where one worker is alone with children, youth, or vulnerable adults. If the “two-person rule” is not feasible or practical, then the “open-view rule” must be observed. The “open-view rule” requires the interior of the occupied space to be visible to outside observers. An open door, a split door with one-half open, or an observation window/opening meets the requirements of the “open-view rule.” 

5) Social Media Policy. In order for a minor to receive a phone call, text message, email, or other forms of digital communication from adult employees or volunteers, a message communication form should be on file. Communication should be done in group messages that include other adults, such as the youth minister or parent, not one-on-one communication between adults and youth. No videos or pictures will be sent to children, youth, or vulnerable adults. Staff or a designated volunteer will be the only people to post photos of church events with children or youth involved. No minors should be identified or “tagged.” No cyberbullying will be tolerated; incidents of it should be reported to the staff person in charge of that ministry area.

6) Staff and volunteers should never remove a child, youth, or vulnerable adult from church property or take him or her home without the verbal or written approval of the ministry’s director and the parent/guardian. One, preferably two, ministry-approved persons will be on site until all children, youth, and vulnerable adults have left an event.

7) Corporal punishment of any kind is absolutely forbidden and is considered abuse. No discipline that employs the use of physical force, such as spanking, hitting, or shaking, will be used. No one should scream in anger or threaten verbally or through bodily motions.

8) Staff and volunteers are primarily responsible for children, youth, and vulnerable adults from a designated drop-off point within the church to dismissal. Children in 3K through second grade will be released from activities to a parent/guardian or designated adult, or a sibling with written parental permission. All parents of infants through Nursery Three must provide a mobile number during church programs, and the child will only be released by a parent or designated adult.

9) Any person or persons, including minors, who disrupt an event in a harmful or threatening manner or harm others will be asked to leave the event site. In the case of minors, parents/guardians will be contacted to remove the child/youth. If the situation warrants and/or the person refuses to leave or the parent(s) cannot be located, law enforcement officials will be contacted. Notify a ministry area supervisor or clergyperson.

10) Volunteers and paid staff who observe any suspected harm to a child or misconduct by another adult are required to report it immediately to the ministry area’s supervisor or a pastor. In addition, South Carolina law requires that these persons also report suspected cases of abuse or misconduct to the local law enforcement officials.

By typing your name below, you are digitally signing that you have read our Safe Sanctuary Policy. You also agree to complete a background check sent to you through the Church Office by Verified First.