Special needs ministry policies: HOW do you define roles? (specifically one-on-one support volunteers)
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This post is part of a series I'm writing about special needs ministry policies. I'll be sharing ours in full once they're finalized, and I'll also provide links to those of a few other special needs ministries as well. Here's a list of the other topics I've already addressed in the series:
As you consider special needs ministry, you need to define roles. I feel a little unqualified to raise this point because I haven't even written the description for my own role. Because our policies are incomplete right now, I've been prioritizing some sections and de-prioritizing others, and writing the job description for Access Ministry coordinator hasn't been near the top of the list. I will write it before I finalize the other policies, and I'll share it once it's ready!
This post, though, is about how we define one-on-one support volunteers in Access Ministry. We call those volunteers "buddies" in our ministry, so that's the term I'll use here. I know other churches that use "shadow" or "friend" or other names instead, so go with whatever works at your church!
Especially in a young or small inclusion ministry, it's hard for other volunteers to know what to expect from a buddy. Are they the teacher for that child? Are they just another helper for the class? Is it okay to ask them to go make copies or pick up the snack? If the child they're paired with is out of town, should they still come to the class?
Some of those questions can be answered with a policy, but some depend on the child and situation. Here's the draft of our written policy on the subject:
- Your special needs ministry policies are worthless if they only live on the shelf.
- Special needs ministry policies: Start with the WHY
- Special needs ministry policies: HOW do you identify individuals who might need support?
As you consider special needs ministry, you need to define roles. I feel a little unqualified to raise this point because I haven't even written the description for my own role. Because our policies are incomplete right now, I've been prioritizing some sections and de-prioritizing others, and writing the job description for Access Ministry coordinator hasn't been near the top of the list. I will write it before I finalize the other policies, and I'll share it once it's ready!
This post, though, is about how we define one-on-one support volunteers in Access Ministry. We call those volunteers "buddies" in our ministry, so that's the term I'll use here. I know other churches that use "shadow" or "friend" or other names instead, so go with whatever works at your church!
Especially in a young or small inclusion ministry, it's hard for other volunteers to know what to expect from a buddy. Are they the teacher for that child? Are they just another helper for the class? Is it okay to ask them to go make copies or pick up the snack? If the child they're paired with is out of town, should they still come to the class?
Some of those questions can be answered with a policy, but some depend on the child and situation. Here's the draft of our written policy on the subject:
If you church has buddies in your ministry, I'd love to know how your role definition compares to this one. And, please, feel free to offer any suggestions - this is the draft, not a final version, so now is the best time for me to polish it!When a one-on-one buddy is provided for an individual with special needs in a class, it is important for that buddy and for the teachers to understand what a buddy is and what a buddy isn’t. The table below should help.