FAQ
Q. Why Child Safe?
Child Safe is a program designed to meet the highest standards in every aspect of child safety. Complying with the program ensures that your church will not fall short in its responsibilities.
The Child Safe system and training gives leaders confidence ministering to children because they know that they are acting in ways that meet their responsibilities.
Q. Do I need to implement the whole Child Safe system?
The most important consideration is that each church is operating safely. Child safe is considered 'best practice' and each part of the program has a role in ensuring you church meet the highest standards of child safety.
Therefore, we advise you implement child safe as a total program but there is no compulsion to do so. Some churches have adapted and adopted various aspects of the program while other churches have made a beginning and over time implement more and more. You can apply the program according to your needs and priorities.
Q. Is there a lot of administration?
Initially there is a fair amount of administration work to get the program up and running (such as entering the details of your team on the website.) After this it reduces considerably. One of the strengths of the program is the ability to reuse information once it's been included on the web site data base.
Q. Where do I begin?
Introducing the Child Safe takes the following steps
- Find and appoint a coordinator.
- Contact the Resource Centre to register your church
- Enter details of your programs on the website
- Train your team and enter their details on the website
- Complete program and facility audits.
Q. How are people trained in child Safe?
Training can be undertaken in one of three ways.
- Individuals can take training on line.
- Individuals can do the training included in the 'team members' or 'leaders booklets'
- Groups can train together and take the tests as part of the group training.
Q. How much does it cost the local church?
A. There is an annual charge of $2 for every person registered on the child safe website. This fee is in fact paid by the CRCA Denomination. The only local fee is the cost of the Team Member guides and the manuals for the Team Leaders and Coordinator.
Q. Are we more vulnerable to litigation if we adopt the program?
A. Child safe does not change a church or individual's status under law. Duty of care is not increased because a church has relevant information. Conversely, ignorance is no excuse. Neglecting duty of care is not minimised because a church or group was not aware of what constitutes safe practices.
Overall, the program will help the church avoid litigation since it will be acting more safely and therefore less likely to transgress its legal and moral obligations.