Codes of Ethics for Adults in Youth Ministry
Adults working with youth bear a special responsibility in fostering youth spiritual development and modeling healthy behavior.
A code of conduct should address:
- A statement of the program’s philosophy of shared youth-adult leadership
- Responsibilities as adult
- Never being alone with youth
- No abuse, harassment, and bullying by adults including exploitation of youth once they become adults
- Appropriate physical boundaries with youth
- No sexualized or seductive behavior with youth
- Staying in “adult role”
- Adult discretion in sharing details of their personal lives
- Self-care
- Holding youth confidences and when confidences must be shared with supervising staff
- Unofficial contact with youth: only in public, and with supervising staff and parental knowledge
- Following other policies such as electronic communication policies
Sample Codes of Ethics
Next Recommended Practice: Participant Covenant for Youth Events