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.
Our Safety and Protection Policy has been developed to help us live out our mission, especially in our ministries with vulnerable people and in acknowledgment of our own vulnerabilities, as well as to meet our responsibilities as part of the Uniting Church in Australia and under Australian legislation.
This Safety and Protection Policy applies to all staff members, elders, church councillors, program leaders and helpers associated with the ministry in our church.
OUR POLICY AIMS TO:
- minimise the risk of abuse, ministry misconduct and the misuse of 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 require all church councillors and other leaders to participate regularly in the communal life of the church.
- We will screen all prospective church councillors, leaders and helpers in our ministries, before they are appointed, as appropriate (i.e. relevant working with children’s check (NSW) / vulnerable people (ACT) / National police check).
- We require all prospective church councillors and leaders to have participated in the communal life of the church for at least 6 months prior to their appointment.
b) Adequate training of leaders
- We will ensure that all church councillors, leaders and helpers understand their responsibilities under this Safety and Protection Policy.
- We require that all church councillors and leaders attend a Safe Ministry Induction (or Safe Church Training Agreement endorsed) workshop within their first year of ministry and attend a refresher workshop every 3 years.
- We require all program leaders and helpers to attend additional ministry-specific training as required.
c) Continued supervision of leaders
- We commit to ongoing leadership training, supervision and support for church councillors, leaders and helpers as appropriate.
- All church councillors and leaders will agree to follow the Code of Conduct for Lay Leaders, and the Leichhardt Uniting Church Annual Covenant Statement.
d) Responding to allegations of risk of harm (abuse) or serious ministry misconduct
- We acknowledge that churches have not always dealt appropriately with allegations and instances of abuse, and have prioritised the concerns of institutions above the needs of victims. We commit ourselves to ensuring that this is not repeated.
- All church councillors, leaders and helpers will report disclosures or suspicions of child abuse, according to our procedure. We will not hesitate to involve external agencies such as the police.
- Where a church councillor, leader or helper has an allegation of ministry misconduct made against them we will provide support to alleged victims and perpetrators and seek appropriate denominational help for a just and fair resolution.
e) Safe environments in our ministry programs
- We will take steps to keep all those in our care safe, including from e.g. spiritual, physical, sexual, emotional abuse (including bullying) or neglect.
- As servants of Christ we will serve our people and the community, commit to the good news of Jesus and lead in spiritually non-abusive ways.
- We will afford participants, including children, a say in the programs and the activities in which they participate.
- We will obtain appropriate information relating to the program participants, including children’s health and family situation, to ensure as far as possible that we are able to care for their physical and emotional needs.
- A Safe Church Team will be appointed to establish and maintain: this Safety and Protection Policy and supporting documentation and processes, workplace health and safety, fire safety, building safety, first aid, food safety, safe transport, incident and emergency procedures.
- Program leaders will complete a written ministry approval process, for approval by the church council, at the start of new ministry programs/activities which take place in the church’s name. These programs/activities will be reviewed on an annual basis.
DEFINITIONS
Child: a person who is under the age of 18 years.
Church councillors: Members of the church council, which is the body with oversight of the total life and mission of the congregation.
Leaders: Are people responsible for a ministry program or set of programs.
Helpers: Are people who assist or help with ministry activities.
Approved by Church Council in 2020