The Vine NextGen Safe Service Protocol
At The Vine, we want to ensure the safety and comfort of our children and students while we engage with them in fun activities and the teaching of God’s Word. In order to achieve this, volunteers are required to adhere to a combination of screening, active supervision rules, and clear behavioral boundaries. The following protocols are in place for the safety of our children and volunteers as well as peace of mind for parents.
Please verify your email address. This is needed to create your profile in the Planning Center Services app as well as to initiate the background check.
*Once the background check is initiated, you will receive an email from Checkr Background Service. Please click the link and follow the prompts for the background check to process.
Background Checks
All adults must have a clear background check on file with The Vine Church. Background checks that return “flagged for review” must be reviewed by the NextGen Director, Children’s Ministry Coordinator, Youth Coordinator, or a pastor and the individual may be cleared to serve at their discretion.
2-to-1 Rule
At least two cleared adults must be present with children and students at all times. Volunteers should not be alone with children or students and an adult should never be one on one with a minor.
*Sunday morning bathroom breaks should happen as a class with both adults present with the children. Should a child need to use the bathroom or need a diaper change, the check-in attendant should be notified so safe arrangements can be made.
Safe Touch & Safe Play
Volunteers should use “safe touch” and “safe play” while interacting with children and students.
Examples of safe touch/play include:
- High fives
- Handshakes
- Fist bumps
- Side hugs
- Pats on shoulder or back
- Verbal praise
- Positive reinforcement for good behavior
- Tending to an injured child/student
Examples of inappropriate touch/play include:
- Tickling, wrestling, rough housing
- Piggyback rides
- Backrubs or massage
- Seating a child on one’s lap (outside of nursery/toddlers)
- Holding a child (outside of nursery/toddlers)
- Unwanted affection
- Giving/receiving gifts
- Contact via electronic or social media without permission
Examples of harmful touch/play include:
- Grabbing, shaking
- Slapping, spanking
- Pinching, pushing
- Kicking
- Touching private body parts
- Intimate, romantic, or sexual contact
- Belittling, embarrassing
- Shaming
- Reference to physical development or appearance
- Showing pornography
*Any harmful behavior will be documented and reported to staff and authorities.
Reporting Child Abuse & Neglect
All team leaders must complete the Indiana Reporting Abuse and Neglect course. If a team member recognizes or notices behaviors in a child that may suggest abuse or neglect, it should be reported to the team leader and Children’s Ministry or Youth Coordinator.
Check-In
Every child should be checked in at the check-in desk and must wear a name tag with a code matching the corresponding parent/guardian pick-up tag. Pick-up tags are not required for youth services, but every student still must wear a name tag. A child should never be dropped off without first being checked in, and a child should never be dropped off to an unattended classroom. Parents must remain with their children until a cleared adult volunteer is present.
Check-Out
During check-out or mid-service pickup, a parent/guardian must present their tag with the corresponding code to pick up their child. A child may not leave the classroom without verifying the adult picking them up. Children may not be picked up by another minor unless otherwise verified by the parent/guardian and cleared by the Children’s Ministry Coordinator or NextGen Director. For youth events, a student may not leave without a youth team member verifying a parent/guardian is present to pick them up. If a student is able to drive themselves or walks, the student may not leave the event until it has concluded and they have been dismissed. If a student driver/walker wishes to leave the service/event early, permission from a parent/guardian must be provided to the Youth Coordinator or Youth Facilitator.
Incident Reports
Incident reports are available in each classroom (Sundays) and in the check-in desk (Wednesdays). These reports should be used every time a minor has an incident that results in an injury as well as to document when a parent/guardian is contacted for their child’s behavior. The report should be filled out and signed by both volunteer and parent, with a copy given to the parent/guardian and the original copy given to the coordinator or director.
Food Allergens / Restrictions
When a child or student is added into the system, their food allergies/restrictions must be entered into their profile in the correct column. When done properly, the allergies/restrictions will print on the name tag. When food is served, it should be as allergy/restriction friendly as possible. Always refer to name tags to be safe.
Photography
Volunteers are prohibited from taking photos on their personal devices of children who are not their own. Any photos taken in children’s or youth ministry is to be done by the media team and according to their safety protocols for photography of children.