This document is relevant to the volunteers and staff of Good News Lutheran Church. This document focuses on what to do in the event of a disclosure, and a policy outlining the prevention of bullying at church events.
Disclosure Procedure
At church events, there is the possibility that a member may disclose information to you. You need to keep this information confidential, unless you have permission to disclose it, or there is a risk of harm to a young person or others.
If there is a disclosure at a Youth Event, The following steps must be taken to ensure that all involved are well cared for.
1. Leader involved reports the disclosure to the Youth Group Co-ordinator
2. Youth – Group Co-ordinator contacts the Pastor
3. Pastor to contact the relevant people if necessary
a. Parents of Minors
b. Kids Help Line - 1800 55 1800
c. Officer of LCAQD Professional Standards
d. The Police
4. Leaders involved are not to talk to others unnecessarily about the disclosure.
Bullying Prevention and Management Policy
Purpose: To ensure that all participants in church activities feel valued, safe and included. Every participant has the right to enjoy their time at Church Events free from fear and persecution.
Relevant to: All those who participate in church events
Objectives:
The objectives of this policy are to:
· Provide the safest possible environment for every participant
· Provide guidance to leaders to help prevent and respond to bullying
Policy Statement:
GNLC will not tolerate bullying. This means that our team members and volunteers will not ignore bullying behaviour and will instead intervene, manage and report occurrences. Where necessary legal processes and reporting will also be followed.
Definition: Bullying is any intentional, repeated physical, verbal or relational (including cyber) acts committed by an individual or group of participants against another person causing hurt or distress. Bullying behaviour involves an exploitation of some vulnerability that creates an imbalance of power and the victim is unable to stop it.
Procedural Guidelines
1.0 Education and Information
All team members and volunteer leaders will have access to this policy at all times. All team members and volunteer leaders are expected to attend appropriate Safe Ministry Training as determined by Church Council and Church Staff.
2.0 Prevention and management of Bullying at Activities
These procedures should be applied at all Church activities.
2.1 Set clear Behaviour Expectations, including an expectation of inclusive behaviour for participants and leaders, should be made clear at the commencement of all activities. Leaders should actively reward individuals and groups during activities that act inclusively or report problematic behaviours.
2.2 Focus on potentially vulnerable participants & on potential aggressors - Records should be reviewed by team members and staff prior to activities and leaders advised to particularly care for participants with specific concerns that may make them more vulnerable, or whose behaviour may make them more likely to be aggressors. Common examples include: - Information about previous / suspected bullying or targeting - Health issues or minor disabilities (e.g. speech impediments) - Behaviours unusual for their age (e.g. sucking their thumb, bed wetting) It is advised that these issues and concerns be discussed with the participants’ parents/guardians at/near the start of the activity in order to get their advice and support in caring for participants.
2.3 Respond to Bullying incidents immediately - It’s important that incidents of bullying are responded to promptly to ensure that every participant feels safe. This should include: - Immediate and calm intervention and separation. - Time out (supervised) and speaking to both bullies and victims, allowing them to have their perspective heard. - Investigation, reporting and discipline process led by the activity co-ordinator. - Consequences may include time out from activities and separation from other participants. - Requesting and supervising an apology from the bully for making the victim feel unsafe / powerless / hurt. - Contacting parents/guardians of the bully (the same day), advising them of the issues and potential consequences, and having them speak with their child. - Advising the Activity Co-ordinator and Pastor, and completion of a Non-injury incident report form. - If the actions are repeated by the bully the activity co-ordinator should discuss with the Pastor whether the bully should be sent home.
2.4 Care for the victim – Leaders and Activity Co-ordinators must take immediate steps to address the bullying victim’s physical and emotional need for safety and security. This should include: - Listening to their story in full and affirming their willingness to speak up. - Making changes to address their fears (e.g. increased supervision). - Speaking with their parent/guardian and allowing them to speak with them. -- Once they feel safe, guide them with strategies to avoid a repeat incident.
3.0 Reporting & Documenting Incidents Document History - Activity leaders must report bullying behaviour to the camp director so that the behaviour can be dealt with in a considered and consistent manner. A Non-injury incident report form should be completed for all bullying incidents and the Church Council should be contacted if the behaviour continues.
4.0 Sending participants home – The activity co-ordinator along with church staff will make the final decision about sending participants home. The activity co-ordinator and church staff may also contact police in instances where the conduct is unlawful.
References
Kids Helpline: 1800 551 800 or www.kidshelp.com.au
Lifeline: 131 114
www.ncab.org.au (National Centre Against Bullying)
Lutheran Youth of Queensland
Confidentiality and Duty of Care Issues http://www.strongbonds.jss.org.au/workers/professional/confidentiality.html
Feb 2017