The exceptional circumstances of the COVID19 pandemic means many of our children’s & youth activities have moved online via Zoom. In normal circumstances, we would not be conducting any childrens/youth ministry via online platforms for child safety reasons. To mitigate this risk, we are implementing guidelines and protocols for these groups based on our Anglican diocesan Safe Ministry principles. This includes...

• hosting Zoom meetings in secure Zoom room hosted within a Church account 
• use a waiting room to ensure only expected participants enter
• have 2 or more leaders in the Zoom session at all times
• have private chatting between participants turned off
• encourage behaviour that is respectful as well as fun for everyone
• occasionally recording online meetings (eg if there is only one leader) with the recordings kept securely for internal compliance purposes
• occasionally divide into smaller breakout groups within the main meeting - each breakout group will either have two adult leaders or one adult leader (will be recorded)

• for children (3-12yrs) - to be present nearby  
• for youth (13-17yrs) - to supervise their involvement from time to time through the session
• to have your child/youth use the device in a family area if at all possible (rather than a private bedroom) and to be conscious of what might be seen in the background
• ensure your child/teen attends the session using their real name (NOT someone else’s and NOT an online handle)
• NOT share the link to these groups - if you would like to invite others, please direct them to this form