FAQ
Q: Our church does not have a comprehensive list of health and safety policies. What should we do?
A: The orange Policies and Procedures Manual included in the WOF training contains some general church policies and many policies relevant to children’s and youth ministry. https://safetywof.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/4.-Safety-Policies-Procedures-Reference-Documents-Safety-WOF.pdf
Q: Do we need to temporarily stand down existing volunteers or employees if they do not have a current police vetting check?
A: Ideally ALL those working with young people as outlined in the CPP should have an up-to-date police check. If their vetting report is no longer current they may continue to work with young people as long as they have a police vetting form for them is currently in process with the PCANZ National Office.
Its also important to remember that ministry to children and young people should always be carried out by at least two adults and never one adult on their own.
Q: What if we don’t have enough vetted and trained leaders available on a given week? Can we call upon an unvetted and untrained adult to help us?
A: This should be the exception and not the norm. When you use an untrained and unvetted adult you run the risk that they may have an offence that would disqualify them from working with children or young people and they may not know how to respond adequately in the event of an emergency or ethical situation. Certainly this person should not be left unsupervised with children or young people.
Q: What if someone refuses to go through the police vetting process?
A: Ensure that this person clearly understands the police vetting process (see Appendix 3 of the CPP), it’s possible that they have a misunderstanding about what the process entails, what it reveals and to whom. If they still refuse, they must be stood down from their children’s or youth ministry role immediately.
Q: Do we need to do a police vetting check if someone already has a one with another organisation?
A: Unfortunately, we are required to do our own police vetting checks, we can’t just use the reports from other agencies.
Q: What if we don’t have enough vetted and trained leaders available on a given week? Can we call upon a unvetted and untrained adult to help us?
A: This should be the exception and not the norm. When you use an untrained and unvetted adult you run the risk that they may have an offence that would disqualify them from working with children or young people and they may not know how to respond adequately in the event of an emergency or ethical situation. Certainly, this person should not be left unsupervised with children or young people.