CHILD PROTECTION POLICY - Briercrest College and Seminary

CHILD PROTECTION POLICY
(Revised January 2013)
1.0 Values
We value and honor every individual as created in the image and likeness of God.
We believe that no individual should be exposed to or experience any form of exploitation or
abuse.
We value the overarching principles of safety, wholesomeness, inclusion and truthfulness as
defined in the Anti-Harassment policy of Briercrest College and Seminary.
We are committed to upholding a culture of safety and the protection of all God’s children from
neglect and from emotional, spiritual, physical abuse and sexual intrusion.
We value the continuous development and learning associated with intentional reflection,
personal accountability, and ongoing consultation.
We value the resulting practices and policies as a means of ensuring consistent written standards
which will safeguard all minors, the well being of the community, and the integrity of our
mission.
2.0 Purpose of the Policy
This policy reflects the commitment to providing a safe environment where minors are valued
and honored as created in the image and likeness of God and where they are protected from any
form of exploitation or abuse.
This policy is intended to coordinate, govern, and guide all interactions at Briercrest College and
Seminary – Caronport High School where minors are involved.
Given the wide variety of activities our students participate in, there are varying levels of risk,
depending on the nature of the specific activity, and conditions at the time of involvement.
Individuals applying for positions working with minors will recognize the moral and ethical
responsibilities involved with this risk:
[Volunteers can be] personally liable when they fail to perform a duty and cause a loss or
injury. Organizations may also be liable if their actions contributed to an incident. But
organizations may be liable even if they did nothing wrong. Under the concept of
vicarious liability, an organization may be held liable for the action of a volunteer if the
volunteer was under the control and direction of the organization and acting within the
scope of his or her responsibilities when the incident occurred. For these reasons, it is
very important that volunteers and organizations clearly agree on volunteer’s roles and

esponsibilities, and the organization’s policies and procedures. (The People’s Law
School, 2000, P. 7)
In our context, we understand that relationships are foundational in providing a road for spiritual,
personal, and academic progress that is based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. It should
be understood from the outset that defining healthy safeguarding practices and polices is not
meant to undermine the importance of personal contact. Rather, safeguarding practices and
polices are meant to assist all employees and volunteers to care appropriately, guided by
consistent written standards which will safeguard all minors, the well being of the community,
and the integrity of our mission.
3.0 Expectations
Briercrest College and Seminary requires that any individual who is not currently employed by
BCS or is not a current student in good standing, wishing to work with minors in any capacity,
complete the following package and submit for approval to the appropriate department.
Those individuals currently employed by BCS or as current students in good standing, wishing to
work with minors in any capacity, will complete the Statement of Understanding and submit to
the appropriate department.
Briercrest College and Seminary expects that all those approved to work with minors will abide
by the applicable guidelines and procedures set out by Briercrest College and Seminary as
articulated and referenced within this policy.
4.0 Privacy and Confidentiality
Briercrest College and Seminary values the privacy and confidentiality of all our students. Those
responsible to ensure healthy safeguarding practices in our work with minors will respect the
privacy of all minors as it pertains to the forwarding or disclosure of personal information,
special needs, medications, etc.. Only information necessary to the appropriate care of the minor
will be disclosed in order to provide a safe and caring experience for all. In cases where
disclosure is necessary, the guidelines of what information, for what purpose, and to whom shall
be considered, in consultation with the appropriate supervisor. It is the responsibility of the
supervisor to facilitate appropriate disclosure with parties outside of Briercrest College and
Seminary - Caronport High School.
5.0 Compliance and Acknowledgement of Risk
It is expected that employees and volunteers will comply with the safeguarding practices and
policies referenced in this resource; recognizing that despite our best intentions, any form of
leadership with minors places the leader at risk of offending. Self awareness and self monitoring
of compliance are key to developing and maintaining consistent safeguarding practices.
It is important to be aware that compliance is also related to prior training and previous
opportunities to reflect on the policies and their implications. Those with less training will adhere
closely to the stated practices and policies. Those individuals identified as having supervisory
roles will assist with adherence and interpretation of the policy.
6.0 Accountability and Reporting

Briercrest College and Seminary will work with volunteers to identify the appropriate supervisor
specific to their placement and level of involvement.
Briercrest College and Seminary values the continuous development and learning associated
with intentional reflection, personal accountability, and ongoing consultation with supervisors.
Employees and volunteers should regularly consider the following questions:
What things could be potential risks
What is the probability that something will go wrong
What is the seriousness of the risk
What can be done to lower or eliminate the risk
Volunteers will recognize that poor conflict management skills, drug or alcohol use, the presence
of addictions and a prior history of unaddressed personal abuse represent unique situations that
will require supervisor input. Volunteers are responsible to inform supervisors of anything that
might hinder their ability to serve.
Volunteers are expected to inform and discuss with their supervisors all concerns relating to their
responsibilities and placements. Specifically, volunteers are responsible to bring to the attention
of their immediate supervisor incidents involving the following:
Non-compliance with the policy
Situations where the volunteer feels they are unable to comply
A potential risk has occurred/been identified
Awareness that an allegation has or is likely to be received
All critical or emergency situations involving a minor
In addition, supervisors should be made aware of the following situations:
If a minor is not cooperating with you or exhibits inappropriate behaviour despite your
interventions.
If a parent or any other adult is interfering with your role.
If you encounter a difficult situation that you are unsure of how to handle or if you
believe that a minor requires attention from a health or mental health professional.
If a minor acknowledges any suicidal or self harm thoughts or intentions. This should be
attended to according to the CHS Suicide Intent Response Protocol.
If a minor acknowledges any thoughts, intentions or threats of violence. The appropriate
supervisor will be notified immediately.
If a minor discloses any form of child abuse, sexual intrusion or molestation.
If you have any significant interaction with a minor relating to disciplinary actions.
7.0 Safeguarding Practices
The following guidelines are designed to articulate healthy safeguarding practices and to enhance
the care of minors.
Volunteers meeting with minors should do so in public places, in groups, and avoid
situations of closed room one-on-one interaction in a private setting.

Physical touch can have many meanings both for the person initiating touch and for the
receiving individual. As a guideline, employees and volunteers should avoid any
physically touch in non-public settings. In public places, employees and volunteers
should use careful discretion and appropriate communication before initiating any
physical touch with minors.
In situations of billeting and overnight accommodations, appropriate supervision should
be arranged that does not require individual employees and volunteers staying in the
same room as a minor.
Approved male and female staff/volunteers are required for all off site co-ed activities
involving minors.
Private vehicles may be used for special purposes if the numbers of minors involved does
not warrant the use of school vehicles. The event must be school approved.
Only employees and approved driver volunteers, parents and guardians may
convey students. Approval to transport minors in personal vehicles requires the
driver to have completed the Vehicle Operator Application Form.
It is recommended that employees and approved driver volunteers authorized to
use their personal vehicle have third party liability insurance of at least two
million dollars.
All employees and approved driver volunteers, parents and guardians will have
access to cellular or satellite phone or other communication device when transporting
minors.
In situations where there has been a physical injury or a report necessitated under the
guidelines of this policy, the volunteer will be required to meet with their supervisor and
complete an incident report.
Emergency situations will be responded to according to the CHS Emergency Response
Procedure. Contact with parents will be facilitated by the immediate supervisor.
8.0 Orientation
Those approved under the Volunteer Application process to work with minors will be required to
complete an orientation process.

CHILD PROTECTION POLICY
Application Contacts
Department Contact Volunteer Involvement
CHS Athletics Shane Sowden Team involvements; coaching
staff, chaplaincy, Team travel
CHS Events Sue Brauer Dessert Theatre, Ski Trip,
West Ed. Mall Trip
BCS Athletics Nigel Mullan Team involvements; coaching
staff, chaplaincy, Team travel
BCS-CHS Student Life Lori MacLeod BCS-CHS Residence Life,
BCS Core Events Vi Thiessen Musical, 2819, Serve, YQ
Health Services Cheryl Kozun Volunteer Drivers
YQ Tech Crew Matt Delong Tech Crew