Safe Churches
About Safe Churches
Safe churches begin and end with the knowledge that God’s love is for all people. We are called to love all others, but God also has a special concern for the poor, the marginalised and the oppressed.
Safeguarding is both an individual and a corporate responsibility. The Working with Children (Risk Management and Screening) Act 2000 and the Working with Children (Risk Management and Screening) Regulation 2011 have certain requirements that relate to churches.
The Safe Church Policy addresses the obligations and responsibilities of churches to provide safe environments for all people that they engage with.
- Safe Church Policy - Affiliated Churches
- Safe Church Policy Implementation – Guide for Affiliated Churches
The 3 Whats Framework
CofC has developed the 3 Whats Framework that guides all our interaction with children and young people and reminds us that we are all guardians: we are all responsible for keeping kids safe.
Downloadable Poster
Download the posters below to display in your church.
- Safe Church Contact Poster Option 1
- Safe Church Contact Poster Option 2
- Safe Church Contact Poster Option 3
Support Services
We also know that child safety can be a difficult topic for many, so we have developed a list of Child Safe Support Services that you can reach out to or refer others to for support.
Tools and Resources
A suite of tools and resources is provided below and updated regularly to assist in the implementation of the Safe Church Policy. Click on each link to jump to that section.
Screening and training staff, volunteers, and leaders
Having a commitment to good practices in selecting, screening, and training of all staff, leaders, and volunteers is key to creating a safe environment within a church.
This is especially important for those who are entrusted with working with or making decisions about ministry to children and vulnerable people.
Safe Ministry Check
Churches of Christ provides affiliated churches with access to Safe Ministry Check.
Developed in partnership with Ansvar insurance, Safe Ministry Check is an online program that provides a process and record of screening and training of volunteers, leaders, staff, and board members. Safe Ministry Check focuses on promoting a safe culture and helping leaders and volunteers understand their responsibilities for keeping people safe. It also helps churches meet many of the obligations in relation to insurance coverage, and compliance with legislation and the CofC Safe Church Policy.
Please contact [email protected] or 1800 193 438 for more information.
Forms and resources
- Example code of conduct (if not using the Safe Ministry Check Code of Conduct)
- Example delegation of authority
- Example volunteer application form
- Example role description
- Example letter of appointment
- Guide for training and blue card requirements for typical roles
- Restricted person declaration form
External resources and training
- Queensland Government Blue Card services
- Blue Card Services - Obligations for organisations
- Blue Card Services Organisation Portal
- Human rights online modules
- Safe Church Awareness workshop - these are no longer being offered via Churches of Christ, but you can contact the National Council of Churches in Australia to request this workshop.
Property and environment
Creating a safe church includes ensuring the physical environment including buildings and equipment is well maintained and that the spaces and equipment are suitable for the activities being conducted and the capabilities of those attending.
Processes must also be in place to ensure hazards and damage can be made safe and repaired promptly.
Programs and activities
The leadership of the church are responsible for reviewing and approving planned activities and programs prior to their commencement and ensuring all appropriate safety measures and contacts are in place. This is done via a risk assessment, which involves supervisors and leaders asking and answering these questions:
- What do we want to do?
- Where will we do it?
- What will be used (equipment, resources, etc.)?
- Who is involved?
- What could go wrong?
- What do we need to do to keep safe?
- What will we do if something goes wrong anyway?
Complaints, concerns, and disclosures
The church leadership should encourage and provide ways for all complaints and concerns regarding any person, the church facilities, or programs and ministries to be raised and addressed promptly.
Where disclosures of abuse or complaints regarding child safety are received, regardless of whether they involve people connected to the church, these should be escalated appropriately and reported to the appropriate authorities.
All records must be collected, used, and stored in accordance with the Privacy Policy of the affiliated church.
Persons of Concern
If you become aware that someone connected to the church may be or is considered a Person of Concern as defined in the Churches of Christ Persons of Concern Policy, you must complete the Concern Reporting Form below and return it to [email protected] within 48 hours of becoming aware.
If in doubt, report. The Safeguarding Response Group will work with you to determine the next steps. The presence of a Person of Concern must also be reported to police, even if the offense or allegation is historical.
Forms and Resources
- Concern Reporting Form
- Information Guide for Reporting Historical Offenses and Allegations to Police
- Contact [email protected] for copies of the Persons of Concern Policy and Procedure for Affiliated Churches.