Because of the power disparities and the potential for boundary violation in pastoral care conversations between adults and youth, we recommend adults engage in these recommended practices to create a supportive, appropriately confidential, and safer space for youth....

It is advisable to have two (or more) unrelated adults with youth during all programs and events. This helps to protect youth from abusive or manipulative situations. Avoid teams with adults who are married to each other or in otherwise very close relationships unless the team includes other...

Adults and religious professionals who work with youth need to know our reporting responsibilities and know what counts as child abuse. Knowledge is power and youth (and parents) need to know what’s legal and what’s not in their state. As a healthy sexuality-positive community, we owe it to our...

​​The UUA defines “youth” as any young person currently in high school (or the equivalent for home-schooled youth or other uncommon schooling situations). "Youth" also includes minors of the same age who have left school without receiving a diploma. Youth fitting this definition may or may...

Each group or event is encouraged to develop its own covenant to respect appropriate safety boundaries. Three forms of covenant are encouraged for programs to consider including rules, covenant, and leadership code of ethics.

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...

Safety precautions need to be taken to protect youth in virtual and physical spaces alike. Just as we advise adults not to be alone with youth in physical spaces, the same applies online....

Appropriate supervision of employees and volunteers is a key to safety youth ministry. Regular support and guidance for adults working with youth helps those adults hold appropriate boundaries and holds them accountable following the congregation's policies. Resources C… for Ministry to/with...

In youth ministry, safety training is needed for youth, youth leaders, advisors, and parents. Adults and youth need to be on the same page and have a shared understanding of expectations for themselves and others, the responsibilities and requirements of adults working with youth, as well as the...

In our dedication to providing the safest possible environment for those we serve, we conduct background checks on adults working with our youth: To enhance the safety of those we serve; To enhance the safety of our employees and volunteers; and, To reduce the liability to our congregation in the...

Adults working with youth must be at least twenty­-five years old to participate in youth events organized by the UUA, and most regions and congregations have a similar policy....