Child Safety Guidelines and Ground Rules for Volunteers
Maintain contact with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bucks County (BBBSBC):
- Maintain contact with BBBSBC on a monthly basis. Promptly return any calls from the Match
Support Specialist.
- Stay in touch with your Match Support Specialist (monthly during the first year of the match and quarterly thereafter) to advise them of your activities, the development of the match relationship between Big and Little, to receive coaching and feedback, and to relay any questions or concerns you may have.
- Complete annual surveys conducted by your Match Support Specialist to provide BBBSBC
feedback on your match relationship and child’s development.
- Call BBBSBC at 215-343-8260 immediately with any child safety concerns/suspected abuse
or to report an injury or accident.
Roles and Boundaries:
Parents/Guardians:
- Parents/guardians should be aware and consent to all activities to which their child will
participate.
- Parents and/or guardians are ultimately responsible for the well being of their child. Therefore, if the child has some conflict with school, law, etc., the Big should not intercede on behalf of the
parent/guardian.
- Parent will communicate with the Big to arrange times for the Little and Big to meet.
- Regularly ask the Little questions about the match relationship, to ensure that the child feels safe comfortable, and happy. (See Child Safety Guide for suggested questions.)
- Parents should never ask a Big to do any favors not related to the match: babysitting, running
errands, providing transportation not related to the match activity.
- Keep personal information regarding your Big confidential and discuss only with BBBSBC.
Bigs:
- A Big’s relationship with a parent should be centered on the Little. Bigs and parents should not
get together on their own, and romantic relationships between Bigs and parents are prohibited.
- Never come between the parent/guardian and child; respect parental role and authority.
- When communicating any concerns about your Little, please do so privately with the
parent/guardian and your Match Support Specialist.
- Keep personal information regarding your Little confidential and discuss only with BBBSBC.
Personal boundaries:
- Affection is best expressed through positive /affirming comments.
- Respect your Little’s personal space and privacy.
- Physical affection may be expressed using a handshake, high five, pat on back or hug.
- Wrestling, tickling, or children sitting on laps is prohibited.
- Never sleep or nap with your Little in the same bed, sleeping bag, or sofa.
- Contact your Match Support Specialist if there are any concerns about a Little’s boundaries or
expression of affection.
Involving family members/friends on match activities:
- Remember, match relationships should be primarily one-to-one between Big and Little
Parents should not ask the volunteer to include any other children on match activities. Please:
- Be aware that Bigs assume total responsibility and liability for any other person who attends a
- Secure permission from Littles’ parent /guardian before inviting a friend or relative on a match
- Others (ex: significant others, friends, own children, Little’s siblings and friends) should only be
included in match activities for special occasions and circumstances.
- Take into consideration the preference and comfort of your Little before including anyone
- Be respectful of the volunteer’s time and commitment to your child.
If inviting another minor child, Bigs must also get their parent’s permission before the
activity takes place. Match activity who is not enrolled in BBBSBC and you are responsible for such third party’s behavior, supervision, and safety during the Match activity.
Supervision and transportation of child/youth:
- Bigs are responsible for the supervision of your Little and at no time should the child be left
unsupervised or left with someone else during a match activity.
- Do not allow others to transport your Little (friends, family, roommate, partner).
- Do not talk or text on a cell phone while transporting your Little in a vehicle.
- Big must, maintain a working phone number where your Little’s parents or BBBSBC can
contact you while on an outing with your Little and inform parent/guardian on where Big and
Little plan to go.
- Parent must, maintain a working phone number where your child’s Big can reach you, or
provide a telephone number of a relative or neighbor, where you can be reached.
- Big must create a plan with your Little that you will both follow if you get separated while on an
outing.
- Follow Pennsylvania state guidelines, which state that children ages 4-8, are required to be in a
booster seat unless the child is over 80 lbs or at least 4’9” tall. It is also recommended that
children under 13 ride in the back seat. Consult with a parent/guardian regarding their preference.
- Drivers and passengers are required to wear a seatbelt wherever they sit in the vehicle.
When returning child home after a match activity:
- Ensure that your Little is safely in their home before leaving.
- Don’t drop child off unattended unless previous arrangement has been made with the
parent/guardian.
- Check in with the parent/guardian letting them know how the activity went.
If the child gets sick:
- Parent/guardian must provide the Big and BBBSBC have the most up to date, relevant medical information; including allergies, medical conditions, and insurance information in case of an accident.
- Big may never give medication unless given written permission from the parent/guardian.
- Big must always carry your Little’s current medical form and contact information and the
BBBSBC phone number.
- If Little or Big are sick on the day of a scheduled visit, please let each other know in advance and reschedule the activity for another day.
General Safety:
Matches are not permitted to have match activities in the Bigs home for the first three (3) months
-Visits should not exceed once a week unless discussed with your Match Support Specialist.
- Ensure that your Little wears a lifejacket when on a boat, dock and anywhere around the water.
- BBBSBC insurance policy does not cover aircraft, motorcycle/all terrain vehicles, and firework
- Escort the child to any public restroom to ensure safety.
- Appropriate swimwear and changing facilities are required for swimming.
- Provide separate/private areas for your Little to change or bathe.
- Do not carry a firearm or have an unsecured firearm while in the presence of your Little.
- Obtain Parent/Guardian permission before engaging in any activity dealing with a firearm or any
- Children under 12 are required by law to wear an appropriate helmet while riding bike. It is
of their match. After their 3 month mark, activities at the Bigs home are up to the discretion of the Little and Parent/Guardian.
strongly recommended that your Little wear a helmet while skateboarding, roller-skating,
rollerblading, skiing, or snowboarding.
potentially dangerous weapon. Discuss the proposed activity with your Match Support Specialist.
accidents.
Movies, video games, media, Internet:
- Follow content ratings for all media forms (PG, PG-13, TV-14, M etc.)
- Viewing content with your Little that contains explicit sex, graphic violence, or
pornography is strictly prohibited, and grounds for match closure.
- Obtain Parent/Guardian permission before connecting with your Little through social networking
site.
- BBBSBC strongly recommends Bigs, Littles and family members to not connect on social media.
- Obtain Parent/Guardian permission before posting pictures of your Little on the Internet.
- Inform your Match Support Specialist of websites where you have posted pictures of your Little.
Gift giving, donations, work for pay:
- Small gifts are permissible for birthdays, holidays, special events, or recognition of personal
achievement.
- Gifts should never be purchased and kept at the volunteer’s home without the knowledge and
permission of the parent/guardian and Match Support Specialist.
- Large donations of furniture, clothing, money, computers, bikes or any professional services to
Little/family are inappropriate and should be discussed with your Match Support Specialist.
- Providing opportunities for your Little to earn money should be discussed with the
parent/guardian and your Match Support Specialist.
- The Big has no financial responsibility for the support of the child and/or the child’s family.
Discipline/setting limits:
- Physical discipline is never allowed.
- State expectations for behavior, and set appropriate boundaries.
- Verbally address behavior concerns, clarify what needs to change or happen.
- If your Little does not respond, take him/her home and inform parent/guardian.
- The Big is not a disciplinarian on behalf of the parent or guardian. The parent may not punish the child by refusing to let the child see his/her Big. However, we encourage the parent to enlist the support of the Big in addressing the child’s poor behavior.
Use of alcohol, drugs, tobacco:
- Do not consume alcohol or any illegal drug prior to or during a match activity. Do not
engage in any illegal activity while in the presence of your Little. Do not purchase or use
any tobacco products while in the presence of your Little.
BBBSBC policy prohibits the use of any illegal drug and/or alcohol by either adult volunteers or
boys/girls in the presence of one another. A violation of this policy will result in termination from
the program.
Personal stressors / life changes:
- If at any time during your match you are experiencing significant life stressors which may
interfere with your match, please discuss these circumstances with your Match Support Specialist.
- Update your Match Support Specialist of changes in jobs, contact information, address, telephone
number, connectivity, e-mail address, availability, etc.
- Update Match Support Specialist of changes in Little’s family, significant other, living situation,
health issues, safety issues, availability, inappropriate requests, etc.