LOVE COMES TO LIFE when we treat each other with courtesy and respect, and when the way we behave towards each other reflects the way God loves us.

Child Safety Standards
- Beyond the Due Date -

Thanks to those who have submitted your congregation’s Child Safety Plan by the due date, which was 31 March 2023. With the Child Safety Plan submitted, it is now necessary for the steps set out in the plan to be implemented. Your hard work will help the church to keep our children safe, and to meet its legal, synodical, and ethical obligations regarding their safety and care. 

For those congregations who are either still working on their Child Safety Plans, or who are yet to commence the process, please note that you are still required to complete your plan and send it through to the child safety standards team as soon as possible.  

Please visit www.lca.org.au/css for resources that might be helpful.

Please also keep a look out for some new child friendly resources that will be uploaded this week.

If you need any assistance, you are welcome to contact either a Professional Standards Officer or the Child Safety Standards team for further advice.

email: css@lca.org.au

Phone: Nicole Hall mobile - 0491 011 643 or direct line - 08 8267 7372

New resource for Standard 2

It is now time to begin implementing your Next Steps.
To assist congregations with this, we are releasing a new Speak Up Poster and "Who keeps you safe?" activity page. These resources have been designed to assist congregations in implementing Standard 2: Children are safer when they are valued, respected, and listened to.
This poster is a child-friendly resource outlining ways that children can raise their concerns within a congregation. 

The poster is designed to be customised to your congregation with names, phone numbers, and a picture of safe people from within your congregation. The Tips page attached to it provides you with additional information about using this resource. This resource is available as a full-size poster for display in your congregation and an A5 version which you may like to keep around for children and young people to take a copy home after attending church, youth group, or other events.

You will find this resource on the Child Safety Resource page.
You will also find a selection of resources to assist you with implementing Standard 2 at the LCANZ Learning Hub in the Child Safety Module. 

We look forward to hearing how you have used this resource in your congregation.

Disturbing scale of child abuse in Australia delivers 'wake-up call'

The physical, emotional and sexual abuse of children is disturbingly prevalent across Australia, triggering calls for urgent government action to protect the nation's youth.

One in three children experience physical abuse and one in four experience sexual abuse.

See here for more details

WORKSHOPS

Safe Church Level 1
Safe Church Level 1 Refresher
Safe Church Level 2

If you are unable to travel to a workshop, Level 1 and Level 2 training is also available online

Again, if you are stuck and would like some help with implementing your Child Safety Plan, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us or Nicole Hall.

Thank you so much for your partnership in the Gospel and in keeping everyone safe!

Blessings from your Professional Standards team

Questions|Concerns|Feedback

Your local Professional Standards Officers are here to support you.

PSD webpage shortcuts

• Homepage and PSO contact details    www.lca.org.au/psd
• Training    www.lca.org.au/safechurchtraining
• Frequently Asked Questions    www.lca.org.au/psd-faqs
• Resources, including for Safe Church Coordinators    www.lca.org.au/psd-sp3
• LCA Standards of Ethical Behaviour    www.lca.org.au/seb