VOLUNTEER
CHILD SAFETY POLICY 1.1
Child
safety and well-being are our Number One priority and everyone at Big Brothers
Big Sisters Gulf Coast (BBBSGC) plays a role in helping keep children safe. We
have nationally required standards of excellence based on industry best
practice of high quality in service delivery. Each agency has the
primary responsibility for risk management and youth protection in their
organizations. This includes the establishment of local policies and procedures
that best protect youth, effective screening and selection of staff and
volunteers, and professional monitoring of match relationships.
Everyone associated with a Big Brothers Big Sisters program,
including professional staff, parents, volunteers, children and board members,
is required to be trained in child safety and in recognizing and responding to
suspected child abuse.
As part of their safety training, Bigs are required to read and
affirm both the Volunteer Child Safety
Policy 1.1, along with the following Volunteer
Safety & Appropriate Touch Policy 1.2 at the time of Application and to
complete a third training, Safety Policy Guidelines and
Ground Rules 1.3 at a later date, with Pre-Match Training.
BIGS AS "MANDATORY REPORTERS": Volunteers are required to report any suspected child abuse and/or neglect to BBBS and to the State of Texas.
Parents
as Partners: When it comes to the future of our children and the well-being of
our communities, we are all in this together. So it should come as no surprise
that we need the parents and guardians of Littles to be involved every step of
the way. Parents approve the selection of their child’s Big and remain in close
contact with professional staff to look out for their child’s best interests
and to help achieve the best possible outcomes for their child. Parents approve
all activities and outings between Bigs and Littles and communicate regularly
with their child and their Big to help ensure healthy and safe relationship
development.
Screening & Selection of Bigs: Making the best
possible match between a Little and a Big is critical to the growth and
development of a child. But before we begin the matching process, agency
professional staff start by thoroughly screening potential Bigs.
Big Brothers
Big Sisters National Standards of Excellence require each volunteer to complete
an extensive screening process that includes:
Completion
of a formal written application,
Background
and reference checks,
An
in-person interview,
An orientation and training process that outlines the individualized needs of the
child and provides information and resources on how to encourage that child's
development.
PROFESSIONAL MATCH
SUPPORT: Our
staff are highly qualified, specially trained match support professionals that
are responsible for helping to ensure that relationships between Littles and
Bigs are developing in a healthy, safe way for everyone involved.
Our
ongoing match support process is extensive, and includes:
Required
match supervision by trained staff, including ongoing communication,
Professional
monitoring of adherence to safety-related policies and procedures,
Nationwide
technology that tracks and monitors match activities and Littles’ progress.
VOLUNTEER
AGREEMENT TO COMPLY WITH CHILD SAFETY POLICY
By checking the
box below, I affirm that I have read and understand the Child Safety Policy and
agree to comply with all requirements of the Policy, including reading and
completing the two associated trainings and policies. I also agree to attend
future child safety trainings.
I will fully
adhere to the terms of the Child Safety Policy and understand that failure to comply
will result in closure of my match and termination of my service as a
Volunteer. This statement shall remain in full force and effect for the entire
duration of my volunteer service with Gulf Coast Big Brothers Big Sisters, Inc.