CODE OF CONDUCT AND PRACTICE FOR MREC CHILDREN'S WORKERS
DBS checks
A DBS check must be completed before volunteers join any of the children’s teams at MREC. If some one contributes to more than one of the children’s works, they do not need multiple DBS checks. If they are trying to decide whether to join a team, potential volunteers may attend up to two sessions prior to the completion of a DBS check. However, they must do so under the supervision of a DBS checked leader. Contact a member of the safeguarding team for information on how to get a DBS check.
Key points for everyone
For each session, we will keep a register of children, adults, underage helpers, and guests (e.g. parents/carers at Ignite who stay and watch).
Two adults will be present at all times in any room where children are; if the activities are split across two rooms, this means four adults.
Leaders will not communicate with children digitally (e.g. via social media, Whatsapp) or arrange to meet them in person.
Leaders will not initiate physical contact with a child without an obvious, valid reason.
Leaders will not show favouritism or allow a child to feel they have a ‘special’ relationship with them.
Leaders will not take photographs that feature children and will ensure other adults (e.g. parents/carers) do not do so either. If photographs need to be taken, consent of parents/carers should be sought in advance.
Creche
One of the adults in creche should be a DBS-checked leader. The second adult will often be another leader, but can be a parent/carer of one of the children and does not need to be DBS checked. If an adult needs to go and get a child’s parent/carer, the non-DBS-checked adult should not be the one left alone.
Toileting - the default arrangement is that, if a child needs toileting in any way, the child’s parent/carer will be called to do this. Individual parents/carers and individual leaders can agree alternative arrangements if they prefer. These should be communicated clearly between them. Male leaders must not toilet girls.
Ignite and Youth Group
For each child, collect the following information via a written form: name; contact phone number; back-up phone number; allergies; any additional needs the parent/carer thinks we should be aware of; and anything we should know about how to meet those needs.
Any video content shown to the groups should be watched through first to ensure it contains nothing problematic.
Ignite
Collection by adults should take place inside the hall (not in the porch). To make space, we will ask children to queue up for their end-of-Ignite sweets at the other end of the hall.
Children should go home with their parent/carer or the person who normally drops them off. Sometimes children have sleepovers/playdates with other children at Ignite, and are collected by that child’s parents/carers. This is acceptable if the parent/carer is known to us and the children are known to be friends. If there is any reason for doubt, we will contact the child’s parents/carers to confirm arrangements.
The pull-across gate at the front of church should be closed after the session starts until the session ends. A leader should be responsible for watching the gate and ensuring that children who go to the toilet come back (rather than staying there or leaving the building).
If parents/carers wish to attend and observe Ignite, we’ll ask them to remain in the seating area at the back and not participate. We’ll also list them in that week’s register.
Children should not go into the kitchen.
There should be at least one female leader at Ignite.
Youth group
All youth group sessions should have at least one leader of each gender.
Sunday club
Ideally, for Sunday club there would be 2 adults in each of the two compartments in the upstairs area. However, where this is not possible it is permissible to have a third ‘floating’ leader, who can move between compartments. The compartments will be adjusted so that there is a window in the door.