COMPLETE CHILD SAFETY POLICY
Subject: Policies and Procedures to ensure the safety of children in FHC programs.
Definitions:
Worker – Any volunteer or staff that comes into contact with minors.
Camper – Anyone under the age of 18 participating in any FHC sponsored program
Minor – Anyone under the age of 18 including staff, volunteers, and campers
FHC – Fair Haven Camps
Camper Security
1. One Worker may never be alone with one Camper; there must always be at least 3 persons present.
2. Minors will not be left unsupervised whenever practical.
3. All doors are to remain unlocked if campers are inside the room unless medical necessity dictates that a camper must be isolated.
a. In the event of medical necessity, 2 staff over the age of 18 must be present with the camper and at least 1 staff must be the same gender as the camper.
4. If a one-on-one conversation is requested by a Minor, a worker may speak with the Minor in a place that is in plain view of other staff and campers.
5. A non-married staff or volunteer couple may not be alone on camp property unless granted permission by a Program Director.
6. Any suspicious activity between a Worker and a Minor must be reported and investigated immediately.
Background Checks
1. Background checks meeting the state requirements will be run on all Workers who have contact with Minors.
2. Background checks will be run anytime there is a break in employment.
3. Background checks will be run every 3 years if there is not a break in employment.
4. Background checks will be run on anyone over the age of 18 living in the “Cottage Area” during the Summer Camp program.
5. The Office Administrator and/or Summer Secretary will be responsible for submitting the background checks and documenting the results.
6. In the event that a background check comes back not clean, the information will go to the supervisor responsible for that individual’s hiring decision.
Reporting
1. As persons working with children, we understand that we have the legal obligation to report any instances of abuse or neglect that we have either been made aware of or have reasonable suspicion of.
a. Title 22 MRSA — section 4002: “Child abuse or neglect” means a threat to a child’s health or welfare by physical or mental injury or impairment, sexual abuse or exploitation, deprivation of essential needs or lack of protection from these by a person responsible for the child.
2. If a Minor shares information with a Worker that must be reported, the following steps will be taken:
a. The Worker is to inform the Program Director as soon as possible.
b. The Program Director must interview the Worker and the Minor and complete a report documenting the information.
c. The Program Director must decide if the incident requires reporting and must report the information to the appropriate authorities within 24 hours of the Minor first sharing the information.
d. The Program Director will continue as the contact between Fair Haven Camps and the authorities for the duration of any investigation.
3. Any Worker suspected of or reported abusing a Minor should be immediately reported to the Program Director.
a. The Program Director may request the Worker to voluntarily relinquish or be removed from duties that involve contact with Minors, leave FHC property, or any other steps deemed necessary to ensure the safety of all persons on camp property until the matter is resolved.
b. The Program Director will be responsible for investigating the incident and documenting their findings.
c. The Program Director must decide if the incident requires reporting and must report the information to the appropriate authorities within 24 hours of being made aware of the incident.
d. The Program Director will continue as the contact between Fair Haven Camps and the authorities for the duration of any investigation.
e. In the event that the Program Director is suspected of or reported abusing a Minor, it should be reported to the General Manager and the General Manager will be responsible for the above steps.
4. Any abuse suspected or reported abuse between Campers must be brought to the attention of the Program Director immediately.
a. The Program Director will be responsible for investigating and documenting their findings.
b. The Program Director may take any steps necessary to ensure the safety of all persons on camp property including: isolating Campers, sending Campers home, involving the authorities, etc.
c. The Program Director must decide if the incident requires reporting and must report the information to the appropriate authorities within 24 hours of being made aware of the incident.
d. The Program Director will continue as the contact between Fair Haven Camps and the authorities for the duration of any investigation.
Privacy
1. Workers may only discuss confidential information with their superiors. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action.
2. All reports must be made on paper and a copy will be stored a locked area of the camp indefinitely.
Compliance
1. If a Worker discovers that any part of this policy is not being followed, they must bring it to the attention of the Chairman of the Board as soon as possible.
2. Failure to follow any parts of the Child Safety Policy may result in disciplinary action.
