Page 1 of 5 CHTBB Staff and Volunteers Behaviour Protocols HTBB is committed to the safety and well - being of all its members, including children, young people, volunteers and staff. This Behaviour Protocol outlines the standards all HTBB staff and volunteers are expected to observe. These protocols complement HTBB's Safeguarding Policy towards promoting a safer church. As a church community member, each volunteer is responsible for fostering a welcoming, inclusive, and safe environment for all. Thus, every staff and volunteer serving at HTBB is responsible for safeguarding the church community, particularly children, young people and vulnerable adults. Hence, all HTBB staff and volunteers, including CHTBB volunteers should demonstrate the following behaviour protocols: Acceptable behaviour: • Maintain the utmost integrity – honesty, transparency, consistency and accountability are key. • Always act inclusively, seeking to make everyone feel welcome and valued, treating people with care and concern • Create and maintain an environment that prevents sexual exploitation and abuse and promotes the implementation of these Behaviour Protocols. • Always be mindful of perception and appearance in language, actions, and physical clothing (modest and appropriate) • Our behaviour – including in person and on digital platforms, both online and offline – demonstrates respect for children and adults and their rights. • When possible and practical, always follow the "two adults" rule to avoid being placed in a compromising or vulnerable position while serving children, young people and vulnerable adults. • Always be accountable for our response to a child, young people, and vulnerable adults' behaviour, even if a person behaves in an inappropriate manner (i.e., any sexual connotations or abusive behaviours) • A lways comply with safeguarding - related investigations (internal and external) and make available any evidence for the investigations. • Immediately report through established reporting mechanisms any known or suspected safeguarding incident. Refer to HTBB Safeguarding Policy for Reporting Protocols. Unacceptable behaviour: • Do not behave inappropriately that is perceived or appears as an abuse of power and responsibility of your role. Inherently unequal power dynamics will potentially lead to safeguarding concerns. This includes spiritual abuse, which is characterised by a systematic pattern of coercive and controlling behaviour justified through the use of biblical teaching. • Do not behave in an inappropriate physical manner or develop a sexual relationship with a child (under 18 years old), including consenting or condoning the above behaviour. This also includes behaviour that could be seen as grooming a child for a future in appropriate relationship. • Do not use any language or exploitative behaviour with sexual, abusive, or degrading behaviour. • Do not promise to keep something secret if it is about a person being harmed or at risk of harm, but report to the Safeguarding Officer immediately or the Local Authorities. There are two circumstances when we must pass on the information disclosed to us: o If someone is at risk of significant harm to themselves or others o If a crime has been or may have been committed. If unsure, always consult the Head of Ministry or Safeguarding Officers. Page 2 of 5 More information on Behaviour Protocols specifically for volunteers working with children, young people and vulnerable adults can be found in the HTBB Safeguarding Handbook. In addition to the above behaviour protocols, CHTBB volunteers are required to abi de by the following safeguarding practices as they serve the children and young people at HTBB: Adults in classroom • Parents with children from four (4) years old and above are encouraged to leave their child(ren) with our volunteers throughout the service from the first time when the child(ren) joins CHTBB. • Children under four (4) years old should attend Sparklers, accompanied by one (1) parent/ guardian. • No other than staff, parents, approved volunteers, or children are permitted in the children's ministry areas during ministry times without pre - approval. Should an adult be in the ministry area, they must abide by CHTBB safeguarding protocols at all times. Three - month rule CHTBB volunteers must attend HTBB church for at least three (3) months before joining the volunteer team. Open door policy During ministry hours, all classrooms with children and volunteers must have a door with a see - through window; if this is not possible, the classroom door must always remain open. Digital and social media • CHTBB volunteers should not be on their phones while serving and are disallowed from showing anything personal to the children. • Group photos of children during CHTBB are allowed to be taken for the purpose of internal team communications and communication with parents. • Do not post or repost photos of children on your personal social media channels. However, images and videos of children from official HTBB social media can be reposted without prior permission. • Volunteers are also prohibited from interacting one - on - one with children on social media, text, or any other private communication outside the church. Never be alone with a child • There should always be at least two (2) volunteers in every room when children are present. If this is not possible, always practise the open - door policy. • A married couple counts as one volunteer. In the case of married couples serving in the same ministry area, another volunteer (or student volunteer) must be present from a different family to fulfil the two - volunteer room requirement. • Volunteers should never be alone with children in the restroom. Sending child back to parents before service ends If you need to get a hold of parents during the service, inform the CHTBB Service Leader (SL) or Registration volunteer to contact the parent. SL will let a host team member know, and they will assist in locating the parents in the service. Parents should be contacted if a child exhibits symptoms of illness, is crying inconsolably for more than 10 minutes, or beha ves in a violent manner. Incident report due to injury or illness • For any instance in which a child gets hurt or an illness occurs while in the care of the children's ministry, an incident report must be completed and signed by the children's ministry volunteer, CHTBB Service Leader/Ministry Head, and the parent/guardian (after SL has discussed the incident with them). • It is recommended to send a copy home with the parents and keep a copy in the children ’ s ministry records. Page 3 of 5 Acceptable Touch Children and adults need sympathetic attention, humour, encouragement and appropriate physical contact. Some physical contact with children, particularly younger children, is wholly appropriate. The following general guidelines regarding touching are suggested: • Always ask permission. • Be mindful of your body position. • Keep everything public. A hug in a group context is very different from a hug behind closed doors. • Touch should be in response to a child's needs and not related to anyone's. It should be age - appropriate, welcomed and generally initiated by the child, not the staff/ volunteer. • Avoid any physical contact that could be construed as sexual and abusive/offensive. Showing affection is a natural part of the ministry and working with children. Here are some guidelines for showing appropriate affection to children while maintaining integrity. • Hugs — Hugs should be brief and should be side hugs. Children should always initiate hugs. • Hands — High fives, handshakes, and fist bumps are always appropriate. Handholding is acceptable for children eight years old or younger. • Holding — A child over the age of two (2) should not be held. If a child wants to sit on your lap on the floor, gently move the child to a sitting position beside you. The following forms of affection are inappropriate in our children's ministry in any circumstance: • L engthy hugs, full hugs • Kisses • Holding children over the age of 2 • Children sitting in your lap on the floor. • Touching genitals over or under clothing • Helping a child in the restroom (if children have an accident or need help wiping, parents must be informed via text message or during pick - up on the same day) • Tickling • Piggyback rides • A ny form of unwanted affection RECOGNISING AND REPORTING ABUSE • HTBB church policy is to report any signs or suspicions of child abuse or neglect. • Contact the Safeguarding Officer immediately if you suspect a child is the victim of abuse or neglect. Do not attempt to gather further information from the child or speak with the parents about your concerns. • Do not further discuss amongst the volunteer team members about your concerns but raise to Head of CHTBB or the Service Leaders on duty. Should you have any questions or need clarification, consult the Head of CHTBB. • Refer to HTBB Safeguarding Policy: Reporting Procedures. DEFINING ABUSE • Sexual abuse is any occurrence in which an adult engages in sexual activity with a minor. It could be contact behavior (touching) or non - contact behavior (pictures, spying, exposure, or conversation). • Physical abuse is any contact intended to cause physical pain or injury to a child. The law does permit parents to use corporal punishment, but the discipline has to be reasonable. • Neglect is the failure to provide a child with basic necessities, such as food, clothing, shelter, hygiene, medical attention, or supervision. Neglect can also include exposure to harmful substances or situations. Page 4 of 5 SIGNS OF ABUSE Contact the Safeguarding Officer immediately if you see/observe more than two (2) of the following signs: PHYSICAL • Aggressive behavior • Accidents in their underwear • Imitating or talking about sexual behaviors • Wounds or physical pain • Unexplained bruises • Untreated illnesses MENTAL • Depression or bouts of sadness • Sudden changes in behaviour • Paranoia • Fear of their caregivers or others (e.g. reluctance to go home) • Anxiety SELF - DECLARATION As volunteers, you are obligated to adhere to the CHTBB Volunteers Behaviour Protocols as follows: 1. I fully understand the commitment expected and ways of volunteering a. Unless a valid reason is provided, I will attend all mandatory training sessions with CHTBB. 2. I am responsible for maintaining a clear professional boundary with all children and clearly understand the behavioural guidelines and expectations. I WILL: a. Treat all children, youths, parents/guardians, staff, and volunteers of CHTBB with respect. b. Self - assess my behaviours, actions, language and relationships with children in my purview and exercise the utmost discretion in ensuring that I do not place myself in positions where there is a risk of allegations being made. I WILL NOT: a. Behave inappropriately or provocatively with a child. (Includes using discriminatory language nor acting in any way that shows unfair or differential treatment). b. Engage in behaviour which could be construed as ‘grooming’ a child (e.g. giving money, presents or favours) c. Developed inappropriate personal relationships, such as romantic/sexual relationships, with a child or youth. d. Exchange any personal information with any child/ youth beyond what has been sanctioned by CHTBB. e. Photograph or video a child for personal use. f. Divulge a child’s personal information on social media or any other platform. g. Be intoxicated under the influence of alcohol or drugs during CHTBB sessions. Page 5 of 5 3. I understand it is my responsibility to report any child welfare concerns to HTBB leadership, and I am familiar with the reporting procedures. a. If any of the following incidents occur, I will immediately report it to the Head of CHTBB or Service Leader. In addition, should there be any safeguarding concerns, contact HTBB Safeguarding Officers within 24 hours. • Any disclosure or allegation from a child or parent/guardian regarding the safety/abuse or exploitation of a child. • Any observation or concerning behaviour exhibited by a volunteer or other relevant stakeholder breaches the CHTBB Volunteer Behaviour Protocols. SELF DECLARATION (Click here to sign Self Declaration on e - form ) • I declare that I have not been investigated for any breach of the law, nor have any criminal records. (Especially child abuse – sexual, physical or emotional abuse). • I declare that I have not withheld any information that would affect my suitability to work with children, young people and vulnerable adults. • I declare that I have read, understood and will abide by o HTBB Safeguarding Policy o CHTBB Volunteers: Behaviour Protocols o HTBB Safeguarding Handbook • I pledge to abide by the behaviour protocols and will be held responsible for any misconduct. Signature: ______________________________________ Date: __________________________________ Full Name (According to NRIC or Passport): _____________________________________________ Identification Number (NRIC or Passport): _____________________________________________ _ Email address: ____________________________________________ _ Contact Number: ___________________________________________