CSSM Youth and Child Protection Policy

CSSM National Child and Youth Protection Policy Training

All volunteers who offer to work with children and youth must be equipped with training to help them understand the ministry and the issues that may confront them. An important
aspect of the training process must include instruction on safety and child abuse prevention.
All volunteers must receive orientation on our child and youth protection policy or be
provided with a copy of the policy, and familiarize themselves with assigned pages
applicable to their role (standards of behaviour sections A–F and reporting procedures
section A.1, 2, & 6) and must sign to indicate they have read and understand these
standards and expectations.

STANDARDS OF BEHAVIOUR
Safety and security are primary concerns for the children and families who attend our camps,
churches, and other ministries. At the same time, we are also concerned for the adults and teens
who volunteer to minister to children. We need to work towards providing a safe environment
for effective ministry to children. In light of this goal, we have developed these procedures for
the protection of our children and volunteers.
A. Staffing and Supervision Guidelines
God’s Word directs us to conduct ourselves in a godly manner, being an example of
obedience, respect, and honesty to those who are in our care. Our desire is to provide a
safe, loving environment where the child or youth feels comfortable and learning can take
place.
1. Two Leaders
When possible, there should be a minimum of two leaders in any room or cabin with
children. When this is not possible, keeping an inside door or viewing window open is
mandatory. If spending time with a child or youth on a one-on-one basis is necessary, it
must be done in a public location.
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Leaders should let another leader know if they will be alone with a child or youth for
any length of time (ie. Taking a child to the washroom.) The leader should also notify
another leader or make sure a leader notices them upon return.
2. Age Expectation
At least one volunteer working in any room/cabin with children must be at least 16
years of age or older. Under the supervision of a volunteer of at least 16, a younger
volunteer may assist in the care of a group of children.
3. Leader/Child and Youth Ratios
Adequate staffing is necessary to provide effective care and leadership. CSSM branch
or camping association guidelines should be observed.
4. Application of Policy
These policy guidelines are in effect for all CSSM ministries. However, when facilities
are rented to other groups or individuals, CSSM is not responsible for the care and
supervision of children, unless prior arrangements have been made.
B. Child Security
CSSM understands the need to maintain child security. When parents bring their children
to our facilities, we are responsible for their safety and security until they are once more in
the care of the parent.
1. Relationships
Volunteers should seek to develop relationships with children and youth and be positive
role models for them. CSSM seeks to instill the importance of being good role models
and the impact of consistent moral behaviour.
CSSM forbids volunteers from pursuing or participating in a relationship beyond
friendship with a child or youth, as volunteers are in a position of leadership and
authority over the child or youth.
If a volunteer suspects a child or youth is seeking a relationship beyond friendship, they
are responsible to limit contact with that child or youth. If the child or youth pursues a
relationship or displays sexual affection to the volunteer, the volunteer should report the
incident to the CSSM personnel in charge.
Volunteers should support each other and intervene if one of them acts inappropriately
with a child, youth, or another volunteer.
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It is expected that children and youth attending overnight events/retreats/camps will not
leave the event early. Exceptions must be evident on the permission slip.
Children, youth and volunteers of the opposite sex are not allowed in each other’s
rooms, cabins or tents for any reason during overnight events except in family
situations.
Children, youth, and volunteers of the opposite sex are not permitted to sleep in a
mixed group except in family situations.
Children, youth, and volunteers of the same sex are not allowed to sleep in the same
bed except in family situations.
C. Health and Safety Guidelines
If a child or youth is injured or sick the leaders should leave the examination to a health
professional (ie. camp nurse) unless the injury requires immediate first aid. If immediate
attention is required, another adult of the same sex as the child or youth should be asked to
observe the procedure.
1. Medications
At camps, all medications are to be given to the camp nurse at registration and are
dispensed only by the nurse as required.
2. Privacy
Leaders should respect a child’s or youth’s desire for privacy whenever possible.
Leaders should be as discrete and as private as possible in meeting personal needs (ie.
changing, showering, etc.) and should exercise as much modesty as possible when
changing in the presence of children and youth. Under no circumstances should a leader
remain for any period of time in a state of undress.
Children or youth shall not be permitted to remain in a state of undress for any
extended period of time.
D. Proper Display of Affection
1. Appropriate Touch
Physical touch is an important element in the communication of love and care.
Volunteers need to be aware of, and sensitive to, the differences in sexual development,
cultural differences, family backgrounds, individual personalities, and special needs.
Physical contact with children should be age and developmentally appropriate. The
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following guidelines are recommended as pure, genuine, and positive displays of God’s
love.
•speak to the child at eye level and listen with your eyes as well as your ears
•hold the child’s hand when speaking, listening, or walking him or her to an activity
•put your arm around the shoulder of a child when comforting or quieting is needed
•pat a child on the head, hand, shoulder, or back to affirm him or her
•gently hold the child’s shoulder, hand, or chin to keep his or her attention while you
redirect the child’s behaviour
•hold a preschool child who is crying
•touch should be done in view of others
2. Inappropriate Touch
The following types of touch much be avoided:
•kissing or coaxing a child to kiss you
•extended hugging and tickling
•touching a child in any area that would be covered by a bathing suit except when it
is absolutely necessary to assist a child with toileting
•carrying older children or having them sit on your lap
•being alone with a child
•prolonged physical contact
•allowing a child to sleep with you
E. Discipline
God’s definition of discipline is outlined in Hebrews 12:7-11. Discipline is not something
you do to a child; it is something you do for a child. The word discipline does not mean
punishment. It comes from the root word disciple, which means training that molds
character, behaviour, and values. Rather than seeking to merely maintain control or keep
children quiet, our goal in managing children’s behaviour should be to shape their character
in such a way that they become disciples.
1. Preventative Discipline
•create a loving, caring atmosphere
•arrange your environment for children and for learning
•gain respect by granting respect
•establish and communicate realistic expectations for the children
•be sure the activities you provide are meaningful and age-appropriate
•be fair and consistent with all children
•be sure your focus is on positive actions
•be aware of children with special needs
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2. Remedial Discipline
•try to deal
•with the problems individually
•explain to the child why the behaviour is unacceptable
•redirect the child to positive action
•explain the consequences of unacceptable behaviour by defining the correct way to
behave as well as the result of wrong behaviour
•offer choices that are acceptable to both you and the child
•allow the child to experience the natural consequences of his behaviour
•in circumstances where there is a serious behavioural problem, the leader must
report the situation to the CSSM personnel in charge
F. Counseling Teens
Christian counseling involves giving both counsel and care. This kind of care involves
healing, guiding, and reconciling people to God and each other. It is our desire to help our
youth become whole people mentally, physically, socially, and spiritually. Our goal is to
deal with the underlying problem, not just the symptoms. It must also be viewed as a team
effort between God, you, and the person (Romans 15:1; Galatians 6:2).
Ethics in Counseling
•respect the person’s dignity and worth; see them and respond as God would
•live, act, and counsel in accordance with godly values
•work towards their best interest, not yours
•don’t force your help on anyone; be sure not to manipulate or use guilt in your
counseling
•fully inform them of where you are leading them
•never exploit trust or dependency
•share the bounds of confidentiality at the outset
•if feelings of attraction begin in either party, terminate counseling immediately
•if the relationship is destructive to you, terminate counseling immediately
•never counsel if the person is under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or illness
•never create false expectations of favorable results
•keep information confidential unless the person’s welfare is at stake
•as a general rule, share information only if the person consents
•if you are in a situation requiring professional counseling, be ready to admit it and
refer them
•all counselors are legally bound to report physical abuse or neglect of a minor to the
provincial child protection service or the police. Anyone who does not comply with
this law is subject to prosecution.
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Youth Counseling Distinctives
a. They need to form their own identity and self-esteem. You can help them by building
into their character.
b. They are adapting to rapid physical changes. This can add to the confusion in many
situations.
c. They are adapting to sexual changes. Weird feelings, fantasies and confusion make
decision-making more difficult.
d. They are struggling with dependence vs. independence. Teens are beginning to move
away from their parents and yet know they love and need them. This struggle can make
them irritable, argumentative, irrational, and difficult. Usually conflicts arise from
differences in opinion on how much freedom they can have. Don’t ever take sides.
e. There is an increasing importance of peer and intimate relationships. They need
approval and often overreact to rejection.
f. They are forming all of their life-directing values and beliefs. Most of these lessons
(careers, lifestyles, behavior, and even problem solving) need to be learned
experimentally.
g. They need to address topics such as: conflict, stress, temptation, productivity,
interaction, authority, or handling money.
Response to Problems
a. Repression is exhibited through denial, pushing aside, and trying to forget. This often
results in more serious behaviors such as eating disorders, anger, apathy, poor
achievement, withdrawal, or substance abuse.
b. Suppression is not an activity of denial but an attempt to hide it from others. Behaviors
may be similar to repression but could be expressed through running away, substance
abuse, or suicide.
c. The antithesis of repression and suppression is expression. It is an obvious negative
outward response that may be exhibited through anger, quitting school, lying, stealing,
substance abuse, defiant behavior, or rebellion. These responses are cries for help and
may lead to serious depression if not dealt with.

REPORTING PROCEDURES
1. Obligation to Report
Any person who has reasonable grounds to believe a child is in need of protection is legally
required to report the matter to the provincial child protection office. A person who
knowingly fails to report in these circumstances is in violation of the law and may be found
to have committed an offense. Should you have questions regarding a specific incident; an
anonymous call can be placed to the provincial child protection office for clarification.
Provincial child protection legislation protects an individual when a report is made. No
action would be taken against a person making a report unless made maliciously or without
reasonable grounds.
2. What To Report
A child is in need of protection under the Child and Family Services Act if he or she is:
•abused or neglected so that his or her safety or well-being is endangered
•abandoned
•deprived of necessary care through the death, absence, or disability of his or her parent
•deprived of necessary medical attention
•absent from his/her home in circumstances that endanger his/her safety or well-being
Additional signs of abuse:
•has an unexplained injury; a patch of hair missing, a burn, a limp, or bruises
•has an inordinate number of “explained” injuries such as bruises over a period of time
•gives verbal testimony
•makes drawings in conjunction with verbal testimony
•through writing, prayer requests, or play situations may allude to incidents
•exhibits an injury that is not adequately explained
•complains about numerous beatings
•complains about others doing things to them when it is known that person was not at
home
•wears long-sleeved tops during the summer to cover bruises
•is consistently dirty, smells, has bad teeth, or hair falling out
•is regularly inadequately dressed for inclement weather
Abuse or neglect need not have already occurred for a child to need protection; it is not
necessary to wait until a child has been harmed to intervene. When abuse or neglect can be
reasonably anticipated, the legal obligation to report applies.
Historical abuse or neglect, that is, abuse or neglect which occurred in the not very recent
past, must be reported wherever there are reasonable grounds to believe a child may be in
need of protection. If the alleged offender is in regular contact with a child or children,
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irrespective of whether it is the same child or children abused in the past, there may be
grounds to believe the child or children are at risk based on the offender’s past behaviour. It
is particularly vital to report these cases where the alleged abuser is in a position of trust.
6. Summary of Steps
Gently affirm the child or youth. Immediately report any suspected abuse to the CSSM
personnel in charge. Complete the ‘suspected abuse report form. It is the responsibility of
the individual, with the assistance of the CSSM personnel in charge, to report to the local
provincial child protection office or to the police if applicable.
If the alleged abuser is a full-time CSSM worker, or a CSSM volunteer, the situation must
be reported to the branch director who must immediately seek legal counsel prior to any
further contact with the victim or the alleged abuser by any CSSM personnel or volunteer.