Safety for Religious Education and Children

Recommended Practices for Children’s Safety

Five diverse elementary-aged children huddle with their heads together, smiling down at the camera as sunlight beams behind them.

Learning from suggested practices and industry standards regarding children’s safety, the UUA Safety Team has developed recommendations for congregations to keep children safer from harm. We invite you to explore the recommendations and resources in each of the sections below.

Assess Your Current Safety Policies & Procedures

An essential tool for any congregation’s religious education program, and the first place to begin, is a Safety Assessment for Ministry with Children (PDF), available from the UU Interim Religious Education blog, In Liminal Time.

Rate each task using the following scale

Task	No Written Policy	Policy Exists. Not Up to Date.	Policy Demonstrates Best Practices	Demonstrates Congregational Education, Training and Practice.	Action Item
Hiring staff and volunteers
Screening staff and volunteers
Training staff and volunteers
Supervising staff and volunteers
Mandatory reporting
Behavior management
Two unrelated adults
Diapering, bathroom and toileting procedures
Food safety
Permission forms
Medical release
Photo release
Accident and injury response
Evacuation plan

Additional Resources and Policy Examples for Children’s Safety

Taking Children’s Safety Seriously from MinistryMatters.com
Child Protection Policy Example from Safe Church
Toward a Safe Congregation Policy (PDF) from Unitarian Universalist Church of the South Hills

In This Section

Screening Care Providers and Teachers for Children
From Safe Congregations Handbook

This is an outline of practices for screening and hiring congregational staff, including those who work with children directly.
Safety Training for Children's Program Leaders
From Safe Congregations Handbook

All staff and volunteers who work with children, youth, disabled persons, elders, and other vulnerable adults should receive training on signs of sex abuse, sex abuse prevention, and reporting procedures, including mandated reporting requirements in your state.
Supervision of Religious Education Volunteers and Staff
From Safe Congregations Handbook

Along with regular supervision, provide windows on classroom doors and a rule of at least two non-related adults working with children or youth.
Abuse Prevention
From Safe Congregations Handbook

Conduct education for staff and volunteers on abuse prevention awareness in the context of positive sexuality education for children, youth, and parents/guardians at least every other year, including such topics as safer internet use and bystander and anti-bullying education. Hold annual training…
Mandated Reporting of Abuse
From Safe Congregations Handbook

Staff volunteers and lay leaders need to be informed about mandated reporting requirements in your state.
Pastoral Care
From Safe Congregations Handbook

For religious professionals doing pastoral counseling, please follow the recommendations of your insurance provider, professional guidelines, and legal requirements in your state
Check-in and Check-Out Procedures for Children's Safety
From Safe Congregations Handbook

Establish clear check in/check out procedures for children that includes documentation of who is authorized to pick up a child.
Diapering, Bathroom Use, and Toileting
From Safe Congregations Handbook

The “two person” rule applies when diapering children and during bathroom trips.
Food Allergies and Children's Safety
From Safe Congregations Handbook

Develop a policy with guidelines that all employees and volunteers follow when working with children to create safer spaces for our children with severe and life-threatening food allergies.
Youth as Childcare Providers
From Safe Congregations Handbook

Teens must be at least 14, screened, under the supervision of a non-parent/guardian adult and must never be left alone with children.