Child Protection Policy

CHILD PROTECTION POLICY

Rutland Street Church

Document Owner Elders of Rutland Street Church
Applies To All volunteers and adults working with children and young people
Adopted By [Names of elders]
Date Adopted [DD Month YYYY]
Review Date [DD Month YYYY — annually, at minimum every two years]
Legal Basis Children's Act 2014; Oranga Tamariki Act 1989; HSWA 2015
Child Safety Contact [Name, phone, email]

1. Our Commitment

The elders of Rutland Street Church are committed to the protection, safety, and wellbeing of every child and young person in our care. The protection of children is non-negotiable. This policy applies to all volunteers, leaders, and adults who work with or are in contact with children or young people in any church-related activity, on or off church premises.

2. Police Vetting — Who Needs It

Under the Children's Act 2014, any person in a 'children's worker' role must undergo a safety check — including a police vet — before starting. This applies to anyone who:

  • Has regular or ongoing unsupervised contact with children under 18
  • Works with children in an overnight or residential setting
  • Transports children as part of their role

At Rutland Street Church, roles requiring police vetting include children's ministry leaders and team members, youth workers, transport volunteers, and camp supervisors. Police vetting is free. It must be completed before the person starts — not afterwards.

Templates for police vetting

Police vetting forms and a step-by-step guide to the process are available at cccnzrl.org — Health and Safety section.

3. Code of Safe Practice

Always

  • Work in pairs or teams — two adults must always be present when children are in church care
  • Ensure children's areas are visible to parents and other leaders
  • Obtain written parental consent before photographing, filming, or transporting children off-site
  • Report any concern about a child's welfare to the Child Safety Contact immediately

Never

  • Be alone with a child where others cannot see you
  • Use physical discipline, harsh language, or humiliation
  • Share images or personal details of children on social media without written parental consent
  • Communicate privately with a child or young person via personal phone, messaging apps, or social media

4. If a Child Discloses Abuse

  1. Stay calm — your response matters enormously
  2. Listen carefully without asking leading questions. Do not promise confidentiality.
  3. Tell the child that you need to let someone know who can help
  4. Report immediately to the Child Safety Contact: [name and phone]
  5. If there is immediate risk, call 111
  6. For any concern about a child's welfare, contact Oranga Tamariki: 0508 326 459
  7. Write down what was said in the child's own words — as soon as possible

You are not the investigator

It is not your job to determine whether abuse has occurred. Your responsibility is to listen and report. Do not attempt to investigate or confront anyone yourself.

5. If an Allegation Is Made Against a Church Worker

  1. Stand the person down from their role immediately — this is protective, not punitive
  2. Do not conduct your own investigation
  3. Seek independent advice from a HR specialist or legal advisor
  4. Refer to Oranga Tamariki and/or the Police as appropriate
  5. Provide pastoral care to all parties

6. Child Safety Contact

Rutland Street Church's nominated Child Safety contact is:

Name: ________________________________

Phone: ________________________________

Email: ________________________________

7. Review

This policy is reviewed annually and following any significant incident or change in legislation. All volunteers working with children must read and sign this policy each year.

For full supporting documents — police vetting forms, parental consent templates, incident report forms, and a Code of Conduct for working with children — see cccnzrl.org.

All policies