Safety, Health and Ethics in Congregations
Tracey L. Hurd, Ph.D., Children and Families Programs Director, Unitarian Universalist AssociationThe health and well being of every member of a congregation depends on the development and maintenance of the intentionally safe and healthy congregation. We cannot actively respect and affirm the inherent worth and dignity of all beings when we do not feel safe. The Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations provides comprehensive online resources to support healthy and safe congregations. Questions frequently asked by those working in lifespan religious education are listed with resources, sample forms, and step-by-step guides to support safe congregational communities.
Health in Congregations
Creating a congregational environment that is healthy and safe:
- Provide information and procedures to minimize health and safety risks.
- Customize forms and procedures (PDF, 111 pages; see pp. 17-28) to suit your congregation.
In the event that a child or youth is injured:
- Treat the child; inform the DRE and family; record for congregation files what occurred including treatment; and follow up with child/youth/family as needed.
- Record the incident in an Incident Report Form (PDF).
Safe Congregations
Balancing Acts: Keeping Children Safe in Congregations (PDF, 53 pages), a comprehensive resource by Rev. Debra W. Haffner, includes:
- Educational Materials
- Covenant to define adults' responsibility to the children and youth.
- Offer age-appropriate messages for preschoolers, elementary school-age children, and youth.
- Sample Forms
- Screening Form for Religious Educators and Youth Group Staff and Volunteers
- Agreement to Teach Form for Religious Educators and Youth Group Leaders
- Code of Ethics
- Information for a Crisis or if Abuse is Suspected
- Suspecting Abuse and Mandated Reporting
- What to do during a Crisis: A Step by Step Guide
To keep children and youth safe:
- Develop and implement congregational policies with responsible staffing.
Educate children for safety:
- Provide sexuality and sexual abuse education.
For help or additional information, contact the UUA Director of Congregational Services.
Permission granted to Unitarian Universalist congregations to reproduce/edit resources on this site. Please credit original authors.
Last updated on Wednesday, April 4, 2007.
