APPENDIX 4
APPROPRIATE COMMUNICATION OUTSIDE OF AN SU ACTIVITY
Relationships connected to an SU event are built in a set period of time and communication. Outside of this
our relationships are in a different context. We need to be aware that we are not in constant on going
relationship and that our privileged input is for a set time. Therefore our communication outside of an SU
event may be different than that of a church youth worker.
GENERAL PRINCIPLES
When communicating with team or children and young people always ensure that the content and mode of
communication used is the most appropriate and bear in mind the following:
Transparency:
Any communication should be done in such a way that you would be happy for a third party to be involved
in it. If you are concerned about any communication that you are receiving you should contact The Child
Protection Coordinator (Schools) or Child Protection Coordinator (Camps and Missions) at Scripture Union
immediately.
Limitations:
While there are many positive aspects to using online communication and face to face contact accept that
there will be limitations in all of these. Respect boundaries by ensuring that any communication with
children or young people is in an appropriate place and at an appropriate time, in keeping with the SUNI
policies.
Consider your online footprint:
 You are still connected with SUNI when you are online whether that be your own website, Facebook
Page, Twitter, YouTube postings etc. Kids will search for you and try to find you. You need to be a
person of integrity online just as much as in person!
 You should keep up to date about the privacy settings available to you on any Social Networking
Site and ensure that your profile has suitable privacy settings which allow you to control who can
see the information on your profile. We would recommend that your profile on a Social Networking
Website be private or to restrict viewing to those who are over 18.
 You should not post content on your own personal profiles that that you would consider
inappropriate to be viewed by an under 18 year old.

YOUR CONDUCT
When you have met a child or young person in an SUNI context YOU SHOULD NOT:
 Communicate with them via text message, or phone them on their mobile phone.
 Communicate with them using any chat facility. E.g. MSN, Facebook Chat, iMessages, BBM.
 Use your personal Twitter account to engage in direct messaging with them.
 Invite them to be your friend on any Social Networking Site or blog.
 Accept any friend request or Group invite from them on any Social Networking site.
 Seek out their profiles or blogs.
 Contact them using their Facebook e-mail address.
 Put photos or video of any of them on your personal Social Networking profile, blog or Twitter, or on
any Social Media site.
 Put photos or video of any of them on a team Website, Facebook Group, Facebook Page, Twitter
Account or YouTube without permission from your team leader or Line Manager (SUNI Staff).
 Distribute individual, or lists of, home addresses, e-mail addresses, mobile numbers or home phone
numbers to any of them who are under 18s.
In addition to this you may not:
 Set up a team Facebook Group or Page without permission from your Team Leader or Line

Manager (SUNI Staff).
Set up a team Twitter Account without permission from your Team Leader or Line Manager (SUNI
Staff).
When you have met a child or young person in an SUNI context YOU MAY:
 Send a letter, postcard or e-mail but:
 Remember that a letter is a very private form of communication and could actually be perceived
as an unusual way to communicate by parents – it may be more appropriate to send a postcard.
 Use language the reader would understand.
 Do not write too often, and after initial contact preferably only in response to communications
you receive. However you may wish to initiate contact by letter or postcard under the following
circumstances:
o To encourage a child/young person to attend your activity.
o To send an encouraging note/card when a child/young person is going through difficult
circumstances. E.g. During exam times or on the anniversary of a death of a relative.
 If you promise to write make sure that you do.
 When writing an e-mail to a young person please “cc” another member of your team into the email. Remember that it is easy to rattle off an e-mail without reviewing what you are writing.
Your e-mail may go to a family e-mail address and be in the public domain, or may not be seen
by a parent at all. Always check your content and tone before hitting the “send” icon
 Catch up with a child or young person at on official reunion.
 Be part of an online Facebook Group or Page (set up by your team leader, or by yourself with
permission from your team leader/Line Manager) where team members and young people (Aged 13
and over) can communicate outside of your activity according to the guidelines issued by SUNI.
Camp and Missions Team leaders may:
 Distribute their mobile number as a contact number during their activity. Outside of this purpose
team leaders and members should not give their mobile number to any child or young person
attending their activity.
 Give team members permission (in exceptional circumstances) to meet up with a child or young
person outside of an organized activity, following guidelines in the Team Member Code of Conduct.
Under no circumstance should you meet with a child or young person on your own.
 Give team members permission to communicate with a child or young person via telephone
(landline only) to give details of an event or in the event of a serious pastoral situation where no
other communication is appropriate.
 Include under 17 year old team members in group texts providing information about their team (e.g.
Date and time of team meeting).
Exceptions: In some cases as a member of SUNI Staff or a volunteer you may know a young person,
involved in an SU activity, because of a relational context outside of work or your SUNI Team. The
relational context may not ask you to adhere to the same set of guidelines as listed above. In these
circumstances the staff member or volunteer must consider carefully how they communicate with the
young person concerned. If there is any confusion or concern around this the member of Staff should
discuss this with their Line Manager. The volunteer should discuss any concerns with their team leader
who may in turn consult a member of SUNI Staff