Safe Church Policy

We affirm that all people have the right to be emotionally and physically safe, respected, and have their views and opinions valued at all times. We also live in a country that legislates for people’s safety.

God calls his body to minister to vulnerable people. God identified classes of vulnerable people who were to be protected and given special care and treatment in society because of their powerlessness (Ex 22:21-22, Deut 10:17-19, Jer 22:2-4, James 1:27).

Our policy has been developed to help us live out our Biblical mandate and our responsibilities under Victorian and Australian legislation.

OUR POLICY AIMS TO:

 Minimise the risk of abuse, ministry misconduct and the misuse of positional power.

 Ensure that all cases of suspected abuse and ministry misconduct are handled thoroughly.

 Ensure that leaders and programs are safe.

 Ensure that all people are respected and valued.

WE COMMIT TO

a) Safe recruitment of leaders.

We will screen all prospective leaders in our ministries, before they are appointed. (ie. relevant working with children’s check/vulnerable people/police check).

We will have a minimum church attendance policy for all prospective volunteer leaders (6 months).

b) Adequate training of leaders.

We require that every Ministry Co-ordinator and a significant proportion of leaders attend a Safe Church (or SCTA endorsed) workshop within their first year of ministry and attend a refresher workshop every 4 years. We require all leaders to attend additional ministry-specific training as required.

c) Continued supervision of leaders.

We commit to ongoing leadership training, supervision and support for leaders.

All leaders will agree to follow the church’s code of conduct.

d) Responding to allegations of risk of harm (abuse) and serious ministry misconduct.

All leaders will report disclosures or suspicions of child abuse or grooming, according to our procedure.

Where a leader has an allegation of ministry misconduct made against them, they will be immediately stood down and the claim will be investigated. We will provide support to alleged victims and perpetrators and seek appropriate denominational help for a just and fair resolution. We will also comply with any requirement to report to the police and relevant government authorities.

e) Actively promoting the participation of everyone in Church activities

We are committed to diversity in our Church according to the scriptures and to creating an inclusive environment that enables everyone to participate. This includes those from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) backgrounds as well as those with disabilities (both mental and physical) by actively considering their needs and taking steps to eliminate the barriers to participation.

f) Safe environments in our ministry programs.

As servants of Christ, committed to the good news of Jesus, we will serve participants and lead in spiritually non-abusive ways. We will take steps to keep all those in our care safe, including avoidance of spiritual, physical, sexual and emotional abuse (including bullying) and neglect.

We will afford participants a say in the programs and the activities in which they participate by fostering and valuing their ideas and encouraging participation.

We will obtain appropriate information relating to the program participants, including children’s health and family situation, to ensure that we are able to care for their physical and emotional needs.

Appropriate people will establish and maintain: Workplace Health and Safety, fire safety, building safety, first aid, food safety, safe transport, incident and emergency procedures.

DEFINITIONS

Child: a person who is under the age of 18 years.

Leader: all staff members and volunteer workers associated with the ministry in our church.

SCTA: Safe Church Training Agreement under the National Council of Churches in Australia.

The Safe Church Policy applies to all staff members and volunteer workers associated with the church.