Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy

Our commitment

Every child, teenager and vulnerable adult in our care has the right to be safe, respected and heard. Safeguarding is not a policy we attach to the children's ministry — it governs all five ministry arms, all online classes, all outreach in schools and communities, and all partner venues hosting us.

Who this applies to

Staff, directors, volunteers, mentors, counsellors, teachers, media teams, contracted facilitators, and any adult who has contact with a child or vulnerable adult on behalf of EJM.

Screening and preparation

Before any contact with children or vulnerable adults:

1. Completed application and two references, including one that has known the person in a church or work setting for at least two years.
2. Criminal record check where available in the jurisdiction, and a signed declaration of past conduct.
3. Signed code of conduct.
4. Safeguarding induction training, renewed every 12 months.
5. Written approval from the Safeguarding Officer and the relevant ministry director.

Supervision rules

• Never one-to-one, never hidden. An adult is never alone with a child behind a closed door. Two approved adults, or one adult with an open door and line of sight.
• Digital contact with a minor happens only in a channel visible to a parent or a second leader. No private DMs, no one-to-one WhatsApp threads, no secret accounts.
• Transport and off-site activity require written parental consent, a registered manifest and an approved adult of the same gender as the child where practicable.
• Photography and streaming: only with consent, and never an image that identifies a child in a vulnerable situation.

Online safety

Every online class for children and teenagers is hosted in a moderated room: approved participants only, recording disabled unless consented, a second adult present, and reporting enabled. Sessions are scheduled within the parent-approved hours set at registration.

Responding to a concern

1. Immediate danger — contact the police or emergency services first, then tell the Safeguarding Officer.
2. Report any disclosure, allegation, observation or suspicion to the Safeguarding Officer within 24 hours, in writing, using exact words and facts, never opinions or investigation.
3. Do not interrogate the child, promise confidentiality you cannot keep, confront the alleged abuser, or attempt to resolve it by praying with the family instead of reporting.
4. Support and protect the person who disclosed. Keep records securely and separately.
5. The Safeguarding Officer decides on statutory reporting and pastoral response, records the decision, and reports to the ministry leadership and trustees.

Allegations against a volunteer or staff member

The person stands down from all contact with children and vulnerable adults immediately and without prejudice while the matter is reported and handled. Outcome is documented. Substantiated abuse results in permanent removal from ministry duties and referral to the authorities.

Discipline, bullying and exclusion

Any form of bullying, humiliation, spiritual manipulation or coercion is unacceptable. Where it happens, the leadership intervenes, the harmed person is supported, and the offender is disciplined and restored only where genuine repentance and safety can be evidenced.

Code of conduct for adults (summary)

Treat everyone with dignity. No physical contact that could be misread. No favouritism, gifts, money or secrecy involving a child. No corporal punishment, shouting or shaming. No counselling of a person you lead or supervise. Report anything you see, including by a senior leader.

The right to be heard

Children and vulnerable adults are told, in their own language, how to report a concern and are believed. A copy of how to reach the Safeguarding Officer is posted in every room and pinned in every online group.

Contact

Safeguarding Officer — safeguarding@everlastingjoy.org · Deputy — the Executive Ministry Team via the contact page. Concerns about a leader may be sent directly to the General Overseer or any board member.

This policy is a working ministry document. It must be reviewed by a local legal adviser and adapted to the child protection laws of each state and country where we operate before publication.