Screening in Faith

Canon H-5: SCREENING IN FAITH

Approved at Synod 2003

1. A. Every parish that runs programs or services for children, youth, or vulnerable adults shall implement a screening program.

B. Diocesan and Deanery organizations which sponsor programs or services for children, youth, or vulnerable adults shall implement a screening program.

2. Special consideration must be taken in high risk ministry situations where volunteers or paid staff have direct care of, or direct access to vulnerable persons or church assets.

3. A person can be considered vulnerable when they have difficulty protecting themselves for any number of reasons, including age, disability, or temporary personal crisis.

4. In the development of a screening program, the following principles shall be considered:

A. Determine the risk, according to the discerned level of risk;

B. Volunteer Ministry Description;

C. Recruitment Process;

D. Application Form;

E. Interview;

F. Reference Checks;

G. Police Records Check;

H. Orientation and Training;

I. Supervision and Evaluation;

J. Participant Follow-up.

5. The incumbent and wardens of every parish or congregation shall together fill out a Screening Participation Report, in a format approved by the Diocesan Executive Committee. This report shall be published annually in the Vestry Reports, along with the Screening in Faith principles mentioned in s. 4. The Report shall also be submitted annually to the Synod Office and the Territorial Archdeacon by February 28th for the preceding year.

6. All Diocesan and Deanery organizations sponsoring activities or events under s. 2 shall submit the Screening Participation Report to the Diocesan Executive Committee annually by February 28th for the preceding year.

(For further information see Screening in Faith, Volunteer Canada, 1999, and the Parish Screening and Program Management Kit, Diocese of Algoma, 2002.

Š2003 Diocese of Algoma