Safe Ministry Update - August

Dear friends,

As a church, we are robustly committed to Safe Ministry and the protection of young and vulnerable people. I pray that we will work hard together to protect all the people in our care (and the name of Jesus) from those who wish to do evil. 

I wanted to update you on progress with the Childsafe Standards Committee that is led and chaired by our Safe Ministry Representative. The background to this new Committee is that the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse recommended 10 Child Safe Standards based on its findings, extensive research, and consultation about what makes organisations child safe. The Standards provide a principle-based framework to help organisations working with children develop strategies and to create a culture that keeps children safe and protects them from harm. 

On 1 February 2022, the NSW Child Safe Scheme commenced. Religious organisations providing services to children are required under the Children’s Guardian Act 2019 to demonstrate how they are implementing the Child Safe Standards. On 1 February 2023, Part 9A of the Children’s Guardian Act 2019 came into force, which allows the Children's Guardian to take action to ensure organisations (including religious organisations) comply with the Child Safe Standards. Whilst their approach focuses on capability building and support, this can include monitoring visits, conducting investigations, and issuing of compliance notices and penalties.

While we have been attentive to the standards since 2022, we felt that with such a large and complex Kids and Youth Ministry, it was worth having the Childsafe Standards Committee to provide an extra layer of transparency and accountability. 

At the meeting this week we reviewed the self-assessment tool that had adjudged us as being a “Proactive” organisation meaning we are progressing well with implementing the Child Safe Standards. This was encouraging but there is still work to be done and we are committed to ensuring we are a safe place for young and vulnerable people to be. If you have any questions about this, please speak with Jesse, Tash, our Safe Ministry Representative or me.  

As part of our continued improvement process, can I encourage you to complete Safe Ministry Training. This training exists to equip leaders, parents and church members for safe, godly and careful ministry to young and vulnerable people. It is compulsory for all those who serve in such ministries but when a whole church gets on board and gets trained, the safety of young and vulnerable people in our midst improves dramatically. 

The more people who know about our Safe Ministry procedures and are trained in them, the better we will be as a community in protecting each other.  

To get started, head to safeministry.training. This is the only place to find Sydney Anglican approved training. There are lots of training modules on offer but this is the only one approved for use in our church. Once you have completed the course, email us your certificate so we can thank you and also remind you to refresh your training in three years time. Ensuring we are engaged in Safe Ministry is not just the job of our Safe Ministry Representative, nor just the staff. Safe Ministry ought to be the concern of all of us so thanks for jumping in, being trained and being a part of making Christ Church St Ives a safe place for young and vulnerable people. 

Thanks for loving the children in our midst through your prayers, let’s keep loving them through our actions as well. Amen.