If a child is in immediate danger, call 911 now. This page is for writing your church’s policy.
Write a child and vulnerable-person protection policy your board can adopt
A church protection policy does four things: screens everyone who serves with children, youth or vulnerable adults (application, interview, references, a police check with the vulnerable sector verification, a waiting period); sets conduct and supervision rules (two screened adults, no one-on-one out of sight, windows in doors, check-in and check-out, no private messaging with minors); tells every volunteer how to respond to a disclosure without investigating or warning anyone; and states the legal duty to report — who must report, to whom, and that the report is theirs to make personally. Choose your province or state and the ministries you run, enter your church’s reporting contacts, and this generator assembles that policy from clauses checked against the statute, as an editable Word file and a PDF. Where a province or State’s reporting law was not verified from the official source, the policy says so and tells you what to confirm — it never states a rule it cannot cite.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Laws differ by province and state and change over time. Have a qualified lawyer or accountant review before your church adopts or relies on this.
- Church name
- Board adoption date
- Next review date
- Safeguarding Coordinator name
- Safeguarding Coordinator phone or email
- Alternate Safeguarding Contact (a different person from the Coordinator)
- Child-protection agency name
- Child-protection agency phone
- Police non-emergency phone
- Waiting period before serving
- Police check renewal interval (years)
Tick the box above to enable the downloads.
Your document is built in your browser. Nothing you type is sent to our servers or stored.
Nothing is generated — not even a draft — while a reporting contact is blank.
Every rule, linked to its source
The policy is assembled only from these rules. Each is marked as the law (quoted from the official consolidation) or as recommended practice, and shows the date it was last checked.
Ontario · The law
The duty to report applies to EVERY person, not only professionals.
Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017, S.O. 2017, c. 14, Sched. 1, s. 125(1)Ontario · The law
The duty is PERSONAL and cannot be delegated.
Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017, s. 125(3) — Person must report directlyOntario · The law
The duty is ONGOING.
Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017, s. 125(2) — Ongoing duty to reportOntario · The law
Age: the MANDATORY duty in s.
Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017, s. 125(4) — Duty to report does not apply to older childrenOntario · The law
Professionals and officials, INCLUDING "a religious official", commit an OFFENCE if they fail to report a suspicion based on information obtained in the course of their professional or official duties.
Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017, s. 125(5)-(9) — Offence; Professionals and officials; Volunteer excluded; PenaltyOntario · The law
The section overrides confidentiality and other privilege (except solicitor-client privilege).
Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017, s. 125(10)-(12)Ontario · The law
To whom: a children's aid society.
Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017, s. 125(1) ('to a society'); s. 126(1)Ontario · The law
Definition: in Ontario "child" means a person younger than 18.
Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017, s. 2(1) — 'child'British Columbia · The law
Every person who has REASON TO BELIEVE that a child needs protection under s.
Child, Family and Community Service Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 46, ss. 13(1), 14(1)-(1.1)British Columbia · The law
The BC duty applies even if the information is privileged (except solicitor-client) or confidential under another Act.
Child, Family and Community Service Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 46, s. 14(2)-(7)British Columbia · The law
Non-delegation in BC: the statute places the duty on "a person who has reason to believe" and contains no express "shall not rely on any other person" clause like Ontario's, and no clause excusing a person because someone else reported.
Child, Family and Community Service Act, s. 14(1) (structure of the duty)British Columbia · The law
Definition: in British Columbia "child" means a person under 19 years of age and includes a youth; "youth" means a person 16 or over but under 19.
Child, Family and Community Service Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 46, s. 1(1) — 'child', 'youth'Alberta · The law
ANY person who has REASONABLE AND PROBABLE GROUNDS TO BELIEVE that a child is in need of intervention shall FORTHWITH report the matter to a director OR a police officer.
Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Act, R.S.A. 2000, c. C-12, s. 4(1)-(1.2)Alberta · The law
A child is "in need of intervention" if there are reasonable and probable grounds to believe the child's safety, security or development is endangered because of the listed circumstances, which are framed around the GUARDIAN: neglect by the guardian, physical injury or sexual abuse by the guardian, the guardian being unable or unwilling to protect the child from physical injury or sexual abuse, emotional injury, cruel and unusual treatment.
Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Act, s. 1(2), 1(3)(c)Alberta · The law
The Alberta duty applies notwithstanding confidentiality (except solicitor-client privilege).
Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Act, s. 4(2)-(6)Alberta · The law
Definition: in Alberta "child" means a person under the age of 18 years and includes a youth (a child 16 or older) unless specifically stated otherwise.
Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Act, R.S.A. 2000, c. C-12, s. 1(1)(d) — 'child'Nova Scotia · The law
General duty (s.
Children and Family Services Act, S.N.S. 1990, c. 5, s. 23; s. 3(1)(a) 'agency'Nova Scotia · The law
Professionals and officials, expressly INCLUDING "member of the clergy" and "a youth or recreation worker", who in the course of their professional or official duties have reasonable grounds to suspect that a child has suffered, is suffering or is about to suffer abuse shall forthwith report to an agency; higher penalty (fine up to five thousand dollars, imprisonment up to one year, or both).
Children and Family Services Act, S.N.S. 1990, c. 5, s. 24Nova Scotia · The law
THIRD-PARTY abuse (the most church-relevant Nova Scotia duty): every person who has information indicating that a child UNDER SIXTEEN has suffered, is suffering or is about to suffer abuse by a person OTHER THAN a parent or guardian shall forthwith report it to an agency.
Children and Family Services Act, S.N.S. 1990, c. 5, s. 25 — Duty to report third-party abuseNova Scotia · The law
Definition and grounds: "child" means a person under nineteen years of age.
Children and Family Services Act, S.N.S. 1990, c. 5, s. 3(1)(e), s. 22(1)-(2)Nunavut · Recommended practice, not law
Nunavut does not use 911 as its emergency number.
RCMP — Nunavut (territorial page): 'For emergency assistance, dial 1-867-979-1111.'Canada (federal) · The law
The Vulnerable Sector Check's statutory core is Criminal Records Act s.
Criminal Records Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. C-47, s. 6.3(1)-(8)Canada (federal) · Recommended practice, not law
A police check is ONE step of screening, not the whole of it.
Volunteer Canada — Volunteer Screening (10 Steps of Screening) — SECONDARYEvery jurisdiction · Recommended practice, not law
Written child-protection code of conduct for every leader and volunteer, covering boundaries, physical contact, language, gifts, and grooming awareness.
Canadian Centre for Child Protection — Commit to Kids (program page)Every jurisdiction · Recommended practice, not law
Screening procedure for leaders and volunteers: written application, interview, reference checks, police / vulnerable-sector check, and a waiting period of membership or regular attendance before serving with children.
Canadian Centre for Child Protection — Commit to Kids; Volunteer Canada — 10 Steps of ScreeningEvery jurisdiction · Recommended practice, not law
Two-adult rule: at least two screened adults present with children or youth at all times; one-on-one situations are avoided; where unavoidable they must be observable and interruptible.
Commit to Kids (boundaries); CDC (2007) 'Preventing Child Sexual Abuse Within Youth-serving Organizations' — CITED BY TITLE ONLY, NOT RETRIEVEDEvery jurisdiction · Recommended practice, not law
Visibility: windows in doors or doors open; no closed, unobservable spaces; washroom procedures that avoid an adult being alone with a child out of sight.
Commit to Kids; CDC (2007) — CITED BY TITLE ONLY, NOT RETRIEVEDEvery jurisdiction · Recommended practice, not law
Check-in / check-out for nursery through elementary: signed in and out by a parent or authorised adult with a matching identifier; released only to the authorised person.
Sector practice; no verbatim source retrievedEvery jurisdiction · Recommended practice, not law
Online and electronic communication: no private one-to-one contact with minors; group channels with a second adult or parent; no private photo/video exchange; parents informed of channels.
Sector practice; Commit to Kids grooming-awareness training — no verbatim online-communication source retrievedEvery jurisdiction · Recommended practice, not law
Incident and concern reporting form: date, time, place, people present, what was observed or disclosed in the person's own words, actions taken (including time and reference of any report to the agency or police), signature.
Canadian Centre for Child Protection — Commit to Kids (report form templates)Every jurisdiction · Recommended practice, not law
Training cadence: orientation before first serving and refresher training at least annually, covering the duty to report, boundaries, grooming, and responding to a disclosure.
Volunteer Canada — 10 Steps of Screening (step 8); Commit to Kids online trainingEvery jurisdiction · Recommended practice, not law
Responding to a disclosure: listen calmly; believe and reassure; do not promise secrecy; do NOT investigate, interrogate or ask leading questions; do NOT tell the child's parents, caregiver or family, or the suspected person, or anyone who might warn them, before you report — the agency or police decide who is told and when; do not confront the alleged abuser; report yourself to the child-protection agency (and police where a crime is suspected, the suspected person is not the child's parent or caregiver, or there is immediate danger) as the law requires; document in the child's words; inform the safeguarding coordinator IN ADDITION (never instead); limit discussion to people who need to know — you may and should speak with the agency, the police and your own lawyer or counsellor.
Commit to Kids ('The process of grooming and disclosure'); statutes above for the reporting stepEvery jurisdiction · Recommended practice, not law
When the suspected person is a church staff member, volunteer or leader: (1) report yourself to the child-protection agency AND the police — the generated statutes' grounds centre on parents/caregivers and the agency may say it is a police matter, so call the police in every case; (2) the church immediately removes the person from all contact with children, youth and vulnerable adults pending the authorities' direction (this is a safety step, not a finding of guilt); (3) the church does not investigate, question the child or the person, or gather evidence, and does not warn the person before the report is made; (4) if the suspected person is the Safeguarding Coordinator or the pastor, the internal notice goes to the Alternate Safeguarding Contact instead.
Church rule derived from the caregiver framing of ON s.125(1), BC s.13(1)(c), AB s.1(2)(e), NS s.25; Commit to KidsEvery jurisdiction · Recommended practice, not law
Alternate safeguarding contact: every internal-notice sentence that names the Safeguarding Coordinator as recipient must also name the Alternate Safeguarding Contact (board chair or denominational safeguarding office) for use when the concern involves the Coordinator or the pastor.
Sector practice; Commit to KidsOntario · The law
Ontario, LONG-TERM CARE HOMES ONLY: "a person" (anyone, including a volunteer or visitor) who has reasonable grounds to suspect abuse of a resident by anyone, neglect by the licensee or staff, improper or incompetent care, unlawful conduct causing harm or risk of harm, or misuse of a resident's money shall IMMEDIATELY report the suspicion and its basis to the Director.
Fixing Long-Term Care Act, 2021, S.O. 2021, c. 39, Sched. 1, s. 28(1)-(7) — Reporting certain matters to DirectorOntario · The law
Ontario, RETIREMENT HOMES ONLY: "a person" who has reasonable grounds to suspect improper or incompetent care of a resident, abuse of a resident by anyone or neglect by the licensee or staff, unlawful conduct causing harm or risk of harm, or misuse of a resident's money shall IMMEDIATELY report the suspicion and its basis to the Registrar (of the Retirement Homes Regulatory Authority).
Retirement Homes Act, 2010, S.O. 2010, c. 11, s. 75 — Reporting certain matters to RegistrarBritish Columbia · The law
British Columbia: Adult Guardianship Act s.
Adult Guardianship Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 6, s. 46 — Reporting abuse or neglectAlberta · The law
Alberta: the Protection for Persons in Care Act imposes a MANDATORY duty on EVERY INDIVIDUAL who has reasonable grounds to believe there is or has been abuse involving a "client" — an adult who receives care or support services from a "service provider" (a lodge, a hospital operator, a designated facility, a continuing care home, a hostel for unemployed or indigent persons, or a person designated by regulation) — to report that abuse "as soon as reasonably practicable" to a complaints officer, a police service, or a committee/body/person authorized under another enactment.
Protection for Persons in Care Act, S.A. 2009, c. P-29.1, ss. 1(1)(b), 1(1)(m), 1(2), 7, 8(1), 10(4), 24 (King's Printer consolidation current as of December 18, 2025)Every jurisdiction · Recommended practice, not law
Vulnerable-adult ministry (seniors' visitation, care-home services, disability ministry, benevolence): apply the same screening (Vulnerable Sector Check in Canada — the Criminal Records Act definition of "vulnerable person" expressly covers adults in dependency or at greater risk of being harmed by a person in a position of trust or authority), two-adult and visibility practices, boundaries on money and gifts, and documentation.
Criminal Records Act s. 6.3(1) (vulnerable person definition); Volunteer Canada 10 Steps; Commit to KidsWhere this generator states no rule of law
For these jurisdictions and topics the official text was not verified, or the law depends on facts we cannot know. The policy names the topic, tells your Safeguarding Coordinator to obtain the current provisions from the authority or a lawyer and attach them, and still tells every volunteer to report suspected abuse themselves. It never fills the gap with a guess.
Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador: where a person has information that a child or youth is or may be in need of protective intervention, the person shall immediately report to a manager, social worker or peace officer; professionals including "member of the clergy or religious leader" are named; applies despite confidentiality or privilege; offence up to $10,000 and/or 6 months.
Children, Youth and Families Act, S.N.L. 2018, c. C-12.3, s. 11; s. 2(1) 'child', 'youth'Québec
Québec: the duty to report to the Director of Youth Protection (DPJ) is believed to be in the Youth Protection Act, CQLR c.
Youth Protection Act, CQLR c. P-34.1 (URL returned 403 on 2026-09-25; name from prior knowledge)Manitoba
Manitoba: a person with information leading them reasonably to believe a child is or might be in need of protection shall forthwith report to an agency OR to a parent or guardian — EXCEPT that where the parent or guardian is believed responsible or unable/unwilling to protect, or the child is believed to be suffering abuse by a parent, guardian or "a person having care, custody, control or charge of the child", the report goes to an agency only (s.
The Child and Family Services Act, C.C.S.M. c. C80, s. 18(1)-(1.1) (unofficial consolidation)Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan: believed to be The Child and Family Services Act, s.
The Child and Family Services Act (Saskatchewan) — name from prior knowledge, not verifiedNew Brunswick
New Brunswick: "Any person who has reason to believe that the well-being of a child or youth is in danger shall inform the Minister without delay regardless of whether the person has acquired the information (a) in the performance or exercise of the person's duties or powers, or (b) within a confidential relationship.
Child and Youth Well-Being Act, S.N.B. 2022, c. 35, s. 35 (enacted text)Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island: the Child Protection Act, R.
Child Protection Act (PEI) — REPEALED BY 2023, c. 17, s. 78.1 (Legislative Counsel Office notice)Yukon
Yukon: believed to be the Child and Family Services Act, S.
Child and Family Services Act (Yukon) — name from prior knowledge, not verifiedNorthwest Territories
Northwest Territories: believed to be the Child and Family Services Act, S.
Child and Family Services Act (NWT) — name from prior knowledge, not verifiedNunavut
Nunavut: believed to be the Child and Family Services Act (Nunavut), s.
Child and Family Services Act (Nunavut) — name from prior knowledge, not verifiedUnited States
There is no single US law.
Child Welfare Information Gateway (2023), Clergy as Mandatory Reporters of Child Abuse and Neglect — State Statutes Current Through May 2023 (U.S. HHS, ACF, Children's Bureau) — a GOVERNMENT SUMMARY, not statuteUnited States
Clergy specifically: approximately 29 States and Guam name clergy as mandatory reporters; approximately 16 States plus Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands require "any person" to report; in the remainder it is less clear.
Child Welfare Information Gateway (2023), Clergy as Mandatory Reporters — 'The requirement for clergy to report'United States
Clergy-penitent privilege: recognised in many States but "typically interpreted narrowly" in child abuse cases and denied altogether in some.
Child Welfare Information Gateway (2023), Clergy as Mandatory Reporters — 'Privileged communications'United States
US screening / background checks are State-dependent.
No primary US screening source verified — REFEROntario
Ontario, adults generally: this research found NO general statute imposing a duty on members of the public to report suspected abuse of an adult outside specific settings (long-term care — VA-ON-01; retirement homes — VA-ON-03).
No general Ontario adult-protection reporting statute located (bounded negative finding)United States
United States: adult protective services and elder/dependent-adult abuse reporting laws are State law and vary widely.
No primary US adult-protection source verified — REFERQuestions we get asked
Is this made with AI?
We use modern software, including AI, to help draft templates. Every rule is checked against the official source linked above, and nothing replaces your own review.
Is the Protection Policy Generator free?
Yes. There is no sign-up and no cost. The Word and PDF files are built in your browser and are yours to edit.
Does this replace our lawyer or denomination’s safeguarding office?
No. It gives you a sourced starting point. Have a lawyer or your denomination’s safeguarding office review the policy before your board adopts it, and confirm every phone number and agency name in it.
Why won’t it generate until I fill in the reporting phone numbers?
The duty-to-report section tells a volunteer exactly who to call. A policy with a blank or made-up number there could delay a report about a child in danger, so the generator never supplies a number and refuses to produce the document until your church has entered and confirmed each one.
What does “Recommended practice, not law” mean in the policy?
Some sections (screening, the two-adult rule, check-in, online conduct, training) are good practice from sources such as Commit to Kids and Volunteer Canada, not legal requirements. The policy labels them so a reader never mistakes a church rule for the law. The duty-to-report sections quote the statute where it was verified, and say so.
Which provinces and states are covered?
The duty to report a child in need of protection is quoted from the statute for Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta and Nova Scotia, and vulnerable-adult reporting law for Ontario (long-term care and retirement homes), British Columbia and Alberta. For every other province and territory and for every US state, the policy names the topic, tells your Safeguarding Coordinator to obtain and attach the current provisions, and states no rule of law as fact.
Do you store what I type?
No. The policy is assembled and the files are written in your browser only. Nothing you type is sent to or stored on our servers.
Why does the policy tell volunteers to report themselves rather than tell the pastor?
In every province whose statute was verified, the duty to report is on the person who has the suspicion, and Ontario’s Act says outright that a person shall not rely on anyone else to report on their behalf. So the policy always says: make the report yourself; telling the Safeguarding Coordinator is in addition, never instead.
What does the policy say for Newfoundland and Labrador? (NL-01)
Newfoundland and Labrador: where a person has information that a child or youth is or may be in need of protective intervention, the person shall immediately report to a manager, social worker or peace officer; professionals including "member of the clergy or religious leader" are named; applies despite confidentiality or privilege; offence up to $10,000 and/or 6 months. The generated policy names the topic and tells the church to confirm with the authority; it states no rule of law for this case. Source: Children, Youth and Families Act, S.N.L. 2018, c. C-12.3, s. 11; s. 2(1) 'child', 'youth'.
What does the policy say for Québec? (QC-01)
Québec: the duty to report to the Director of Youth Protection (DPJ) is believed to be in the Youth Protection Act, CQLR c. The generated policy names the topic and tells the church to confirm with the authority; it states no rule of law for this case. Source: Youth Protection Act, CQLR c. P-34.1 (URL returned 403 on 2026-09-25; name from prior knowledge).
What does the policy say for Manitoba? (MB-01)
Manitoba: a person with information leading them reasonably to believe a child is or might be in need of protection shall forthwith report to an agency OR to a parent or guardian — EXCEPT that where the parent or guardian is believed responsible or unable/unwilling to protect, or the child is believed to be suffering abuse by a parent, guardian or "a person having care, custody, control or charge of the child", the report goes to an agency only (s. The generated policy names the topic and tells the church to confirm with the authority; it states no rule of law for this case. Source: The Child and Family Services Act, C.C.S.M. c. C80, s. 18(1)-(1.1) (unofficial consolidation).
What does the policy say for Saskatchewan? (SK-01)
Saskatchewan: believed to be The Child and Family Services Act, s. The generated policy names the topic and tells the church to confirm with the authority; it states no rule of law for this case. Source: The Child and Family Services Act (Saskatchewan) — name from prior knowledge, not verified.
What does the policy say for New Brunswick? (NB-01)
New Brunswick: "Any person who has reason to believe that the well-being of a child or youth is in danger shall inform the Minister without delay regardless of whether the person has acquired the information (a) in the performance or exercise of the person's duties or powers, or (b) within a confidential relationship. The generated policy names the topic and tells the church to confirm with the authority; it states no rule of law for this case. Source: Child and Youth Well-Being Act, S.N.B. 2022, c. 35, s. 35 (enacted text).
What does the policy say for Prince Edward Island? (PE-01)
Prince Edward Island: the Child Protection Act, R. The generated policy names the topic and tells the church to confirm with the authority; it states no rule of law for this case. Source: Child Protection Act (PEI) — REPEALED BY 2023, c. 17, s. 78.1 (Legislative Counsel Office notice).
What does the policy say for Yukon? (YT-01)
Yukon: believed to be the Child and Family Services Act, S. The generated policy names the topic and tells the church to confirm with the authority; it states no rule of law for this case. Source: Child and Family Services Act (Yukon) — name from prior knowledge, not verified.
What does the policy say for Northwest Territories? (NT-01)
Northwest Territories: believed to be the Child and Family Services Act, S. The generated policy names the topic and tells the church to confirm with the authority; it states no rule of law for this case. Source: Child and Family Services Act (NWT) — name from prior knowledge, not verified.
What does the policy say for Nunavut? (NU-01)
Nunavut: believed to be the Child and Family Services Act (Nunavut), s. The generated policy names the topic and tells the church to confirm with the authority; it states no rule of law for this case. Source: Child and Family Services Act (Nunavut) — name from prior knowledge, not verified.
What does the policy say for United States? (US-01)
There is no single US law. The generated policy names the topic and tells the church to confirm with the authority; it states no rule of law for this case. Source: Child Welfare Information Gateway (2023), Clergy as Mandatory Reporters of Child Abuse and Neglect — State Statutes Current Through May 2023 (U.S. HHS, ACF, Children's Bureau) — a GOVERNMENT SUMMARY, not statute.
What does the policy say for United States? (US-02)
Clergy specifically: approximately 29 States and Guam name clergy as mandatory reporters; approximately 16 States plus Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands require "any person" to report; in the remainder it is less clear. The generated policy names the topic and tells the church to confirm with the authority; it states no rule of law for this case. Source: Child Welfare Information Gateway (2023), Clergy as Mandatory Reporters — 'The requirement for clergy to report'.
What does the policy say for United States? (US-03)
Clergy-penitent privilege: recognised in many States but "typically interpreted narrowly" in child abuse cases and denied altogether in some. The generated policy names the topic and tells the church to confirm with the authority; it states no rule of law for this case. Source: Child Welfare Information Gateway (2023), Clergy as Mandatory Reporters — 'Privileged communications'.
What does the policy say for United States? (US-04)
US screening / background checks are State-dependent. The generated policy names the topic and tells the church to confirm with the authority; it states no rule of law for this case. Source: No primary US screening source verified — REFER.
What does the policy say for Ontario? (VA-ON-02)
Ontario, adults generally: this research found NO general statute imposing a duty on members of the public to report suspected abuse of an adult outside specific settings (long-term care — VA-ON-01; retirement homes — VA-ON-03). The generated policy names the topic and tells the church to confirm with the authority; it states no rule of law for this case. Source: No general Ontario adult-protection reporting statute located (bounded negative finding).
What does the policy say for United States? (VA-US-01)
United States: adult protective services and elder/dependent-adult abuse reporting laws are State law and vary widely. The generated policy names the topic and tells the church to confirm with the authority; it states no rule of law for this case. Source: No primary US adult-protection source verified — REFER.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Laws differ by province and state and change over time. Have a qualified lawyer or accountant review before your church adopts or relies on this.