What Risks Apply to a Schools Ministry Worker?

This is a sort-of 'part III' to the other posts from yesterday, abiout state school-based ministry workers, and their context, areas of ministry & issues faced.

In preparing our application for National Programme funding, we realised that the concerned parties at our school had never sat down and considered what the 'threats' are to a chaplaincy/youth worker staff member. These are well-documented for teaching staff,
as are the 'risk management' strategies for handling them. The following is the Equivalent process, for a ministry worker at a high school undertaking religious and pastoral care/welfare
work. Do with it what you will, or feel free to make comment on it... Al


RISK MANAGEMENT:

Child Protection issues:
Chaplain to be trained in “Protecting our children and young people” by appropriate school staff. On going supervision by School Counsellor to ensure compliance.

Accusation of Religious Bias
Chaplain to become familiar with NSCP Code of Conduct for School Chaplains; comply with DEST policy by providing impartial / accurate information about support and services provided in the community; refrain from proselytising students while delivering chaplaincy service provided through NSCP; and comply with DEST policy of showing respect and sensitivity to student / family values and beliefs, when different from their own.

Threat of Student self-harm or harm to other students:
Chaplain has completed training in advanced pastoral care, youth welfare and education as well as specialist accreditation in intervention with youth facing: anxiety, depression and developmental crises. Accumulated skills and experience over thirteen years of dealing with youth issues in settings of: community programs, church youth programs and programs of training youth in leadership. Formal accreditation by Baptist Churches Of NSW & ACT in pastoral care ministry.

Unfamiliar Environments away from campus and associated hazards:
Notification of intention to visit private residences to School Counsellor or Deputy Principal followed by notification of return. Chaplain to familiarise himself with family situation and any relevant issues pertaining to a visit. Chaplain to always carry a mobile telephone while on a home visit or off-site excursion.