1. Church Safe Legal Requirements

Most of you are aware that the Church Safe Training has been government legislated. It is a legal requirement that our church, and all other churches, develop a Safe Places Policy, procedures and action plan to ensure the safety of all children that attend our church or any church associated functions.

As a church we have:

  1. A duty of care to ensure the safety of children, aboriginal children and vulnerable people, who participate in any way, in the activities of our church.
  2. We must maintain a reasonable standard of care for all activities and programs.
  3. We must be thinking ahead and planning for the safety of children against the likelihood of harm, risk or danger in the future.
  4. We must choose and ensure that the people who represent the church have; working with Children Checks, have participated in Safe Church Training, are committed to the Code of Conduct and have signed the pledge, and are people observant to the safety of all children in their care. The Church is vicariously liable for staff, volunteers and contractors.
  5. The church will be held responsible for any negligence in their duty of care in matters relating to the Safe Places Requirements, if they have failed to do all in their power to provide a safe environment for children.
  6. As a church we are directed to be aware of the issues of Confidentiality and Privacy in the response to any issues and the reporting of any incidence.
  1. Appointing Volunteers and Staff to work with Children and Young People

Procedures are now being set up to ensure the selection of the appropriate leaders and workers to care for children in the function of the church.

These procedures consist of:-

  • Police background checks(Working with Children Checks)
  • Having in place a maximum of 6 months qualifying period before church office for all transferring or newly baptized members and a 12 month qualifying period for all non-members who wish to become volunteers or staff.
  • New staff are to provide 2 referees
  • The church is responsible to ensure that a screening process is in place and adhered to.
  • All staff and volunteers are to complete Safe Church Training, have read and agreed with the Code of Conduct and signed the pledge showing their agreement with all that is required.
  1. Establishing and Maintaining Safer Environments for Children and Young People.

As a church we are responsible for making a safe place for all children. This means that many of our current practices will be changing to safeguard our children and the adults that care for them.

The following principles need to be observed in the care of our children.

At least 2 adults be present when working with children or young people.

Adequate ratio of staff to children –

Suggested guides - 1 to 5 for camping and water activities

-1-12 in closed area situations (but must

also maintain 2 adult rule.)

High risk activities will require specific skilled and trained staff.

Younger children need greater supervision ratios.

‘Special needs’ children may need parent or 1 on 1 supervision.

  1. Establishing and Maintaining Safer Environments for Children and Young People.(continued)

As a church we are responsible for making a safe place for all children. This means that many of our current practices will be changing to safeguard our children and the adults that care for them.

Venues and Equipment need to be made safe in the following ways; clean, hygienic, good repair, electrical and fire safe, safe from hazardous substances, have appropriate first aid equipment and staff to meet needs, evacuation plans and ensure sun safe equipment and water for outdoor activities.

Conduct of all staff and volunteers should: avoid favouritism, refrain from physical discipline, adhere to appropriate standards and protocols, communicate with children only through appropriate protocols, never issuing invitations to meet alone with children, report concerns of inappropriate conduct of other staff or volunteers, abide by code of conduct, follow reasonable and lawful directions of leaders, do not engage in any illegal activities with children.

  1. Establishing and Maintaining Safer Environments for Children and Young People.(continued)

As a church we are responsible for making a safe place for all children. This means that many of our current practices will be changing to safeguard our children and the adults that care for them.

  • Protection and care of children includes; safeguarding children against bullying, transporting them safely, obtaining parental permissions, not taking unauthorized pictures, recording medical needs and having parent contact details, using sign in and sign out forms, only allowing pick up children by approved adult.
  • The Church departments need to plan for and run safe programs for children by ensuring the following procedures are adhered to; completing risk assessment and risk management plans for all high risk, off-site or over-night events, ensure the appropriate qualifications are present at specialist activities: e.g. first aid, outdoor recreation etc., submitting incident reports to church Board/Business meeting in the event of an accident.
  1. Responding to a situation

As a church community we all have some responsibility to ensure the safety of our children.

  • Primary responsibility rests with parents to sign children in and out of activities and make sure that they know where there children are at all times.
  • Secondary responsibility rests with church staff and leaders to make certain that Child Safe Practices are being maintained.
  • Thirdly all church attendees can assist in keeping our children safe by their observation of children as they traverse the church buildings and grounds.
  • All members are encouraged to speak to a representative of the leadership team if they have any safety concerns.
  • All members are encouraged to remember to be confidential in their reporting.