We live in an age where sexual abuse is a reality in our society and we as the church must deal with this issue taking steps to protect the young people (anyone under the age of 18) that God has entrusted to our care.  It is believed this policy will safeguard our youth while promoting a positive, nurturing environment for ministry. The policies below are to be strictly followed by all youth leaders (lay or ordained, volunteer or staff) within the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina in the context of diocesan events.All Youth Leaders (volunteer, paid, lay or ordained) must complete a four hour workshop on sexual child abuse and declare an understanding of the material covered in the workshop. These workshops are available through the Diocese and are held several times a year.All those who work with youth shall do their best to pattern their lives in accordance with the teachings of Christ, striving in all things to be wholesome examples to God's people. Thus it is not appropriate to have people working in youth ministry whose lifestyle is an affront to the Gospel, for instance, anyone known to be perpetrating fraud, a malicious gossip or someone known to be engaging in sexual relations outside of marriage.

Team Leadership                                                                                                                                                                                                                    A young person should never be left in the primary care of one adult. Teams of adults (male and female) should supervise any and all youth activities. This can protect youth and the adults from false accusations and questionable situations. Furthermore it diffuses the possibility of an adult thriving on the dependency of the youth as well as an adult having excessive influence over individual youth. There should always be an adequate ratio between adults and youth. A ratio of five youth to one adult for middle school events and eight to one for high school events is recommended as a minimum. (Always have at least two adults at a youth event.)   Every Youth Event should provide adequate and proper training for its team. Youth leading small groups should be trained, supervised and accountable to adult leadership.

Overnight Activities                                                                                                                                                                                                                 A minimum of two adults should be present at an overnight activity. If the participants are both male and female the adult leaders must be both male and female. If these conditions are not met, the activity must be cancelled. It is never appropriate for an adult youth leader who is not a family member to share a bed with a youth. Males and females (both youth and adult) should sleep in separate rooms at all events and have separate access to bathroom facilities. Experienced adult youth leaders are to be included with adults that are newcomers to youth ministry.

Appropriate Age for Events                                                                                                                                                                                            Events are age specific according to the school they attend (middle and high school).  All students participating in events should be in the age group appropriate for that event.  Any exceptions must be approved by the Coordinator for Youth Ministries.

Transportation                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Avoid dropping off and/or picking up youth without being accompanied by another adult. Encourage families to arrange their own transportation where appropriate.  No youth leader should be driving alone with only one young person to any diocesan event or meeting.  Youth Commission is not an exception to this.                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

Individual Counselling                                                                                                                                                                                                         At times when one on one interaction is needed, notify another adult of the place of consultation and with whom you are counselling. Try to counsel in a public place such as a corner of the youth room where you can talk privately but are still in plain view of others. Guard yourself against seclusion. Make every attempt to have female adults counsel female youth and male adult’s counsel male youth. A more favorable option is team counselling, a male and female adult team counselling an individual youth. Many times in counselling youth, issues of abuse, alcoholism, neglect and such are raised. We need to be aware of these issues and be ready to refer the youth who have these issues to qualified professionals. We also need to be sure that we are following the legal guidelines the State of South Carolina has for reporting instances of abuse, neglect or any criminal actions. 

Age Appropriate Supervision                                                                                                                                                                                              It is not allowed to leave older minors responsible for the care of younger youth. Older youth such as youth commission can assist in supervision but must not be solely responsible. An adult's presence is required.    

Handicapped or Disabled Students                                                                                                                                                                             When a handicapped or disabled student attends with a group they must bring an adult designated to supervise or work with that student specifically.  This adult must be someone other than the Youth Minister or group leader.

Gifts

All adult youth leaders are to refrain from giving personal gifts or money privately to youth without first notifying the parents and the youth ministry supervisor or clergy, remembering that gifts can be easily misinterpreted.

Dress

All youth at Diocesan events should dress appropriately.  We highly discourage youth wearing provocative clothing and swimsuits as well as advertising for tobacco or alcohol products.  It is the task of youth leaders to enforce a proper standard at events so as to not offend or cause others to stumble.

Sleep

All diocesan youth events must provide 8 hours of scheduled time for sleep on all overnight events.

Open Door Policy                                                                                                                                                                                                                 All youth events are to function with an open door policy. Clergy, staff, parents and church members have a right to observe any youth activity.

Supervision and Communication                                                                                                                                                                                   The youth leaders must meet on a regular basis throughout diocesan events to openly discuss problems, accountability, policy clarification, personal feelings and issues that interfere with youth ministry efforts.  

Diocesan Leadership Structure 

Each Diocesan event is planned and led by a team which is guided by the team leader.  These people are accountable to the Diocesan Coordinator on behalf of the Department of Youth Ministries who is accountable to the bishop.Evaluations forms completed by participants should be developed and are to be used after each diocesan event in order to evaluate, strengthen, improve and correct aspects of all diocesan youth programs.  All youth leaders who attend diocesan events should be actively involved in the youth ministry of their local church, receive training from their youth minister or priest, and are held accountable to that person.Anyone involved in youth ministry leadership on the diocesan level is expected to be involved in their local parish/mission. Young people who are not actively involved in their local youth group will not be considered for service on diocesan youth commission.The Department of Youth Ministries will review the effectiveness and strategy of all events with the input of the youth ministers.  All changes to policy and standards will be approved by the Department.