The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses the Child Sexual Abuse recommended 10 child safe standards, drawing on its findings and extensive research and consultation about what makes institutions child safe.
However, being child safe is only one important aspect to consider. Churches also need to be concerned about the safety of vulnerable adults. That’s why our partnership with Ansvar Risk has worked to ensure that our screening, training and overall system is aimed at safeguarding not only children, but also vulnerable adults.
With vulnerable people in mind, as well as children, our system helps churches cover the 10 Standards, while allowing them to customise how the training and system works out in their context.
- Staff are equipped with the knowledge, skills and awareness to keep children safe through continual education and training (Std 7)
With several levels of training available, staff and volunteers can be regularly refreshed in the understanding of their role and responsibility to care for vulnerable people. - Families and communities are informed and involved (Std 3)
The Awareness Course is designed to be done by every member of your church to help them see how everyone plays a role in safeguarding vulnerable people, and encourages them to speak up if they have a concern. - Children participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously (Std 2)
The Leaders Course encourages your key volunteers and staff to value and include children and vulnerable people when decisions impact them. - Equity is upheld, and diverse needs are taken in to account (Std 4)
The Supervisors Course outlines the particular issues around diversity for your high level leaders. - People working with children are suitable and supported
(Std 5)
The Screening process gives churches the confidence that their volunteers and leaders are appropriate for their roles. This becomes the baseline for inviting them to serve and supporting them in their roles. - Physical and online environments minimise the opportunity for abuse to occur (Std 8)
Since every church and location is different, Leaders, Supervisors and Staff are all encouraged to ensure their people, places and programs are safe for everyone. - Processes to respond to complaints of child sexual abuse are child focused (Std 6)
With the Incident Response Process developed with Ansvar Risk, churches have a clear path to ensure they are dealing with people’s concerns with a focus on children and vulnerable people. - Child safety is embedded in institutional leadership, governance and culture (Std 1) & Implementation of the Child Safe Standards is continuously reviewed and improved (Std 9)
The Staff and Board Members Course clearly lays out the responsibilities on the church and the leadership to embed a safe church culture at all levels.
Board Members are encouraged to champion safeguarding strategies from the front and make sure they are reviewed regularly. - Policies and procedures document how the institution is child safe (Std 10)
Together with Ansvar Risk, we provide policies and procedures that churches can implement and modify for their specific use.
Contact us to find out more about how we can help your church meet the Child Safe Standards and do it with a view to help safeguard everyone, and where everyone plays a role.