Jesus Youth JY UK Safeguarding
Section 8

Appendix 3: Appropriate/Inappropriate Physical Contact

Guidance on appropriate and inappropriate physical contact with children.

Appropriate / Inappropriate physical contact

Appropriate physical contact with children may include the following:Inappropriate physical contact with children may include but not limited to the following:
HugsAny form of unwanted touch
Pats on the shoulder or backFull frontal hugs or “bear hugs”
HandshakesTouching bottoms, chests, or genital areas
”High fives” and hand slappingLying down or sleeping beside a child
Touching hands, faces, shoulders and armsMassages, whether by a volunteers to children or by children to a volunteer
Arms around shouldersPatting children on the thigh, knee, or leg
Holding hands during prayer or when a child is upsetTickling, wrestling, or “roughhousing”
Holding hands while walking with small childrenTouching or hugging from behind
Sitting close to small childrenGames involving inappropriate touch
Kneeling or bending down for hugs with a small childKisses on the mouth
Verbal praiseTouching when in isolated areas such as bedrooms and staff-only areas
Holding or picking up children three years of age or youngerMaking the child sit on the lap