Child Protection Week - 1-7 September

1-7 September is National Child Protection Week. The Uniting Church is committed to the safety and support of all children and young people.

Our approach to child safety across all presbyteries, congregations and related entities is based on the ten Child Safe Standards. The Child Safe Standards were developed as a result of extensive research through the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse and are now mandatory in both NSW and ACT.

1. Child Safety is embedded in organisational leadership, governance and culture
2. Children participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously
3. Families and communities are informed and involved
4. Equity is upheld and diverse needs are taken into account
5. People working with children are suitable and supported
6. Processes to respond to complaints of abuse are child-focused
7. Staff are equipped with the knowledge, skills and awareness to keep children safe through continual education and training
8. Physical and online environments minimise the opportunity for abuse to occur
9. Implementation of the Child Safe Standards is continuously reviewed and improved
10. Policies and procedures document how the institution is child safe.

Whilst we are predominantly motivated by a desire to share the love of Jesus, it is important to note that the level of legislative responsibilities in relation to child protection have increased significantly over the past 5 years and that we must respond appropriately to these requirements. The Synod of NSW and ACT has recently updated many of the policies that underpin our approach to child safety, demonstrating that our commitment to child safety is embedded across our organisation. We have an updated Screening Policy to ensure that all people working with children are suitable and supported, a Code of Conduct that applies to all Ministers, staff and volunteers, a Complaints Policy that outlines how concerns and complaints will be addressed, and an updated Child Safe Policy and Statement of Commitment to Child Safety.

We encourage all congregations and entities to consider the child safe standards and how you might improve your implementation. We are particularly interested to hear about ways that we can listen to children and young people and take diverse needs into account.

In a context where attitudes to gender and sexuality are amongst the key issues turning people away from church, the Uniting Church in Australia has a unique opportunity to listen to young people, be heard by young people and to help raise the voice of young people across our community. As a people of God on the way, the Synod’s Future Directions are well aligned with the central concerns of young people – especially in the area of cultural diversity, environmental commitment and walking together with First Peoples. Being intentional in the way we develop and demonstrate safety is critical to our engagement.

The Culture of Safety team are here to help and support you.

Please reach out if you have any questions, any ideas or if you would like further resources by emailling  cultureofsafety@nswact.uca.org.au.

We encourage all congregations and entities to consider the child safe standards and how you might improve your implementation. We are particularly interested to hear about ways that we can listen to children and young people and take diverse needs into account.

FIND OUT MORE FROM CULTURE OF SAFETY