Page 1 of 4 HTBB Youth Coaches 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 youth coaches 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, e very 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 HTBB youth coaches 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) • Always 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 4 More information on Behaviour Protocols specifically for volunteers working with children, young people and vulnerable adults can be found in the HTBB Safeguarding Handbook on the HTBB safeguarding website. In addition to the above behaviour protocols, HTB B youth coaches are required to abide by the following safeguarding practices as they serve the children and young people at HTBB. DIGITAL AND SOCIAL MEDIA ENGAGEMENT Every coach and volunteer serving at HTBB youth is a role model to the young people, modelling how to behave through social media and their everyday lives. It is part of the Christian discipleship journey. Consider: How can we demonstrate a Christ - like lif e? What uses or behaviours reflect this? Below is a list of non - exhaustive Dos and Don’ts to guide your engagement with HTBB youth in the digital space. DOs • Receive parental permission before initiating any form of social media or text contact. Private, one - on - one online communication with children should be done in a group chat or platform. However, if this cannot be avoided, conversations must be kept to a l imited frequency and have a clear aim. • Always keep communication via texting and messaging at appropriate times of day - after 8am and before 9pm. • ‘Think before you post’ - once the information is out there, it is difficult, if not impossible, to remove. Your personal account, if followed by youth, is a representation of HTBB Youth as well. Keep this in mind when posting. • Social media are powerful tools that help connect young people with the ministry of the church. It is also a great way for the youth to outreach to their friends and make it easier for them to invite these friends to events. Be open to chat about the missi onal opportunities of good social media use with the youths. • Create a small chat group and invite those in your small group. Always lean towards group chats (ideally a chat group of 4 people, with a minimum of 2 youth and 2 adult Youth Coaches) as a preferred form of communication rather than private messages. Howev er, if this is not possible, or the youth is uncomfortable with this arrangement, ensure any private, 1 - on - 1 communication isn’t prolonged/excessive (if it is helpful to clarify what ‘prolonged and excessive is, consult other Youth Coaches and Head of Yout h). • Always practice clear, unambiguous, and purposeful communication. Social media and online communication are best for information rather than conversation. For example, reminders and invitations about what’s going on at youth. • Always communicate under the assumption that we may be called upon to account for what was said in a conversation. A good rule of thumb is that if we are uncomfortable with the child’s parents reading your messages, do not send them. • Always ensure privacy settings are in place – what are good privacy settings? Below are some suggested best practices: Mobile phone • Set a password/passcode to protect the information stored in your mobile phone. • Always take stock of the people who can access your information, such as contact numbers and email addresses on your mobile phone. • Use group communications such as messaging or texts to pass on information. • Always encourage safe and healthy use of social media. Make it clear to young people that they should not be pressured into doing anything they do not want to do. Be prepared to talk about sexting in the wider conversation about relationships. Indecent images • Always communicate to young people that they should never pass on indecent images - sharing images could be construed as bullying, and they could be breaking the law. Explain that it is illegal to hold, share or take indecent images. Page 3 of 4 • Should there be any safeguarding concerns on sexual abuse or sharing of indecent images, please follow the Safeguarding Reporting Procedure and contact HTBB Safeguarding Officers immediately. If unsure, always consult the Head of Youth. Refer to HTBB Safeg uarding Policy for more information. DON’Ts • Do not post or repost photos of young people on your personal social media channels. However, images and videos of youth from official HTBB youth and HTBB social media can be reposted without prior permission. • Do not tag young people on your personal social media. However, youth can choose to tag you on their social media. • Do not encourage or foster exclusivity in communications, either wittingly or unwittingly. Do not get into deep and personal chats online or by text; keep to brief online chats and arrange a catch - up. • Do not make video calls alone with a young person. Instead, always involve another youth coach or the Head of Youth in the call. • Do not write or post anything you would not be happy for others to see. Accountability and responsibility are of paramount importance. SELF - DECLARATION As volunteers, you are obligated to adhere to the HTBB Youth Coaches Behaviour Protocols as follows: 1. I fully understand the commitment expected and ways of volunteering a. I will commit to volunteering for a minimum of twice a month b. Unless a valid reason is provided, I will attend all mandatory training sessions with HTBB Youth. c. If I am unable to volunteer in any given week after agreeing to do so, I will inform the Head of Youth with a valid reason. 2. I am responsible for maintaining a clear professional boundary with my youth and clearly understand the behavioural guidelines and expectations. I WILL: a. Treat all youths, parents/guardians, staff, and volunteers of HTBB Youth with respect. b. Self - assess my behaviours, actions, language and relationships with youths 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 youth. (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 youth (e.g. giving money, presents or favours) c. Developed inappropriate personal relationships, such as romantic/sexual relationships, with the youth. d. Exchange any personal information with my student beyond what has been sanctioned by HTBB Youth. e. Photograph or video a youth for personal use. f. Divulge a youth’s personal information on social media or any other platform. g. Be intoxicated under the influence of alcohol or drugs during youth service. 3. I understand it is my responsibility to report any youth welfare concerns to HTBB Youth 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 Youth. In addition, should there be any safeguarding concerns, contact HTBB Safeguarding Officers within 24 hours. Page 4 of 4 o Any disclosure or allegation from a youth or parent/guardian regarding the safety/abuse or exploitation of youth. o Any observation or concerning behaviour exhibited by a volunteer or other relevant stakeholder breaches HTBB Youth’s Behaviour Protocol 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 Youth Safeguarding Policy o HTBB Youth Coaches: 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: ___________________________________________