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
Spotlight on "Standard 7"

All congregations should now be in the process of implementing the Child Safety Plans, paying particular attention to those areas where gaps have been identified and improvement is needed.

This month we are putting a spotlight on Standard 7: - 
“Our people understand child safety” 

Pastors, lay workers, employees, leadership teams, and volunteers should have a solid understanding of all aspects of child safety and know how to confidently respond to children who raise concerns.

Congregations committed to child safety demonstrate this by:

• Ensuring all pastors, lay workers, employees and volunteers participate in Safe Church Training as required. This includes members of the leadership council or board who are responsible for making decisions that affect children as well as Ushers, Elders and Lay Readers – these are often the people who children are the most familiar with.
• Ensuring refresher training is completed as required. We know how quickly we can forget information and how quickly things can change. Taking part in refresher training helps to remind us of the fundamentals of child safety, child safe reporting, and the components of a child safe congregation. It also helps us to stay up to date with information about changes to policy and legal requirements.
• Ensuring they each have a Safe Church Coordinator appointed and trained, who reports regularly to the congregation’s leadership team about training compliance.
• Using the Safety Management Online database, to monitor and report regarding training compliance.
• Communicating regularly with Professional Standards about their training and other safety needs.

You can find a table outlining the Safe Church Training requirements for all church roles, dates for future training, and access for online training here. https://www.lca.org.au/training-events/safe-church-training/
 

Into the light

Three decades ago, at a Lutheran church in South Australia, Ryan Williams was sexually abused – while his parents were chatting with other adults after worship. Now a pastor of a church in New Mexico, Ryan explains what happened, why it often takes so long for survivors to talk about their abuse, and why it’s so important to bring what happens in the darkness into the light.

Listen to Ryan's podcast

Bravehearts: 1800 272 831

Lifeline: 13 11 14

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

Please remember there are up to date resources, to use in your congregation’s bulletins and Powerpoint slides, which are available on the church’s
‘Spread the word’ page.

Click here for Professional Standards ‘Spread the word’ resources

If you (like we are aware many congregations regularly do) are including a notice in your local bulletin about how to report abuse, please download and use the ‘Spread the word’ notice or alternatively check that your notice includes the same details.
 

Spring 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