Tauranga Methodist Parish, Wesley

February 2009

CODE OF CONDUCT

The people of the Wesley church family believe there is a combined responsibility: -

· to provide a safe environment that caters for the spiritual, mental, emotional and physical wellbeing of its children and young people, and -

· to ensure that they are treated with dignity and respect.

So, this Code of Conduct sets out positive guidelines for those working in a voluntary capacity with our children and young people. It helps us as leaders to have the confidence of knowing we are doing our best for them and providing good role models. This Code also outlines ways to deal with situations where they may be at risk.

First of all, thank you for the gift of your time and talents to our children or young people. Family ministry is important to us at Wesley, but it cannot happen without the effort and dedication of people like yourself. We value and appreciate your work.

- your responsibilities towards the children and young people -

1) Ensure the safety and well-being of all children or young people in your care.

2) Make certain that all activities take place with sufficient supervision and resources.

For under 5's, an adult:child ratio of 1:6, and

· For over 5's, of 1:8.
For normal class activities, there should be two adults present, with more for outdoor activities or trips.

3) Treat all children as individuals, with dignity and sensitivity, avoiding favouritism, respecting their culture, home background, age and physical and mental abilities.

4) Respect what is told in confidence unless someone’s safety is at risk.

5) Neglect, harassment, bullying, sarcasm, and bad language are unacceptable, as is any degree of physical, emotional, mental or spiritual abuse.

6) Respect children's privacy at all times, especially when activities include sleeping, changing of clothing, bathing and ablutions.

7) Remain in sight of others, even if out of hearing, when dealing with an individual child.

Avoid unaccompanied and unobserved activities and inappropriate physical contact.

A leader should not be in the sole company of any child or young person, including travel in a motor vehicle, without the parent's/caregiver's consent. If dropping children home after an outing, the last child should be in the back seat.

8) Only safe touching should be modelled; touching can be appropriate if: public, spontaneous, initiated by the child and not prolonged; a sideways hug round the shoulder is good touching, but patting the head is inappropriate in some cultures.

9) If the behaviour of any children or young people in your care is a cause for concern, do not hesitate to discuss it with the Ministry Assistant or Presbyter.

- your responsibilities towards parents/caregivers -

1) Take time to get to know parents, caregivers and grandparents.

2) Keep them informed and invite them to participate in or observe activities with their children.

3) Find out if the children and young people have any special needs or medical requirements. All children should have a registration form filled in for them, with details of special needs, which will be kept by the Ministry Assistant and one copy given to the class teacher.

4) Report any accidents or illness to parents/caregivers and Co-ordinator. There are First-Aid kits behind the tape cupboard in the narthex, and in the main kitchen.

5) Children are officially in your care once they have come into class and until the service has finished, unless other prior arrangements have been made.

6) For activities taking place other than on church premises, obtain written consent from parents/caregivers beforehand. Request their involvement in transport and other arrangements. Give detailed information regarding any outings, and provide mobile phone numbers for contact if at all possible.

- your responsibilities to the church family -

1) Teaching and training in the Christian faith should follow that approved by the Leaders' Meeting/Christian Education Committee.

2) Attend teacher preparation sessions and report once a term on your ministry with the children or young people.

3) Report in advance to Ministry Assistant or Presbyter on all activities to be held away from church premises.

- your responsibilities to yourself -

1) Use approved lesson material, be well prepared for classes and attend at least two preparation sessions per year and any appropriate extra workshops.

2) Keep in touch with the Ministry Assistant or Youth Leader or Co-ordinator: they are there to support you, and have an overview of family ministry in the church.

3) Avoid placing yourself or your co-workers in compromising situations and protect yourself from actions that could be misconstrued.

4) Support your colleagues and develop good relationships with them - being part of a team helps us all.

5) Report to the Ministry Assistant or Presbyter with any concerns about questionable behaviour of anyone involved in family ministry, to safeguard children and the integrity of leaders.

The Wesley contact person for any situation involving sexual harassment is Julienne Taylor 544-2565 at Wesley,

or Bonnie Hebenton 575-9930 outside the Parish.

6) Nurture your own inner life (try some of these: reading, praying, daily devotions, joining a study group, listening to tapes, having a prayer partner, etc.) Be a good and healthy role model yourself, in keeping with Christian principles.

7) If you are concerned about any aspects of safety with regard to our children or young people, please discuss it with the Ministry Assistant or Presbyter so that it can be dealt with appropriately. Your awareness may make a significant difference to someone's well-being.

Presbyter: Rev Motekiai Fakatou (576-9749)

Ministry Assistant: Viv Whimster (578-6056)

Tauranga Methodist Parish, PO Box 2019, Tauranga 3140

Ph 07-578-8493, fax 07-578-8463, ; http://www.wesley.co.nz