A Church Reforming to Reach the Lost for Christ

Christian Reformed Churches of Australia

These resources relate to Safe Church policy, procedure and practice and include downloadable documents for use within congregations and organisations. Additional contacts and services for those seeking help with Safe Church related issues are also linked from this page. 

The following resources are available:

Safe Church Material - Basic Policies

The CRCA SCU has prepared a number of "model" policies for each church to download and then update these documents to suit local requirements.  We recommend that the Safe Church Introduction document is reviewed first as it sets the scene why these policies are introduced in the first place.  Basic Policies are essential for all CRCA churches to be implemented, Mandatory Policies are to be implemented by all churches, while Optional Policies should be reviewed by the local Session (Church Council).  Some churches are smaller and may find that the optional policies are not relevant to their local congregation.

  1. Safe Church Policies Introduction
  2. Safe Place Policy
  3. Child Protection Policy
  4. Risk Management Policy
  5. Staff Recruitment Policy
  6. Work Health Safety Policy

Safe Church Material - Mandatory Policies

  1. Confidentialilty Policy
  2. Copyright Policy
  3. Crisis Response Policy
  4. Delegations Policy
  5. Media Relations Policy
  6. Privacy Policy
  7. Social Media Policy

Safe Church Material - Optional Policies

  1. Whistleblower Policy
  2. Document-Email Archiving Retention Policy
  3. Legislative Compliance Policy
  4. Legislative Compliance Policy

Safe Church Material - Supporting Documents

  • Intro to Copyright
  • Crisis Management – Media
  • Child Safety Code of Conduct
  • Risk Management Church Council Role
  • Risk Management Essentials
  • Risk Management Introduction
  • ChildSafe Code of Practise

External Organisations Compliance Information

  • Facility Hire Advice for Sessions and Classes
  • External Short-term Missions Compliance Requirements
  • Kids Hope Australia & Safe Church CRCA  - Child Safety Compliance Protocol

Government Compliance Information

Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse by People in Religious Ministry

To see the relevant information about mandatory reporting - select your state below:

Working With Children Check legislation

To see the CRCA Working With Children Check information - select your state below:

 

To check if an individual's Working With Children Check is valid - select your state below:

All CRCA personnel in Victoria aged 18 and over must familiarise themselves and act in accordance with these laws.  

'Failure to Protect' 

'Failure to Disclose' law

'Grooming' 

Additional Information and Help

  • Safe Church Definitions
  • Guidelines for handling disclosure of child sexual abuse
  • What stops people from disclosing?
  • Seeking Help - helpful links for various issues
  • Information about Bullying
  • For people struggling with pornography
  • Understanding Grooming

Additional Resources - Children & Youth

Posters - For Children’s & Youth Ministries

 

Wise Practices

  • Online and Smart Phone Usage Guidelines
  • Your Digital Reputation
  • Toileting Children Protocol Advice
  • Wise Ministry Practices for Working With Children
  • Driving in Ministry to Children and Youth
  • The Value of Clear Communication
  • Visibility in location in ministry
  • Physical Contact
  • Duty of Care and Safe Church CRCA
  • First Aid
  • Preventing bullying at Kids Church
  • Creche Guidelines
  • Visiting Ministries Guidelines
  • Junior Leaders

Safe Church

Our Mission Statement In establishing and living out Safe Church Policy the CRCA seeks to: Be a...
In 2018 the Synod agreed to establish the Safe Church Unit (SCU). The SCU will commence operations...
We can help you with: Implementing Safe Church Policy Working With Children Check Compliance...
For a CRCA church to be Safe Church Compliant the church must have: Appointed a Safe Church...
Adult related Safe Church matters This section contains information on how Safe Church applies to...
Overview The Safe Church Policy and Code of Conduct apply to all interactions between adults in...
Reportable Conduct This section outlines the type of conduct, involving adults, that is...
Adult Disclosure Process It is possible for any of the following to occur: You become aware of an...
Family violence There is an increasing awareness of the prevalence of family violence - also known...
Help and resources The following resources are available to support victims of Dmestic Violence:...
ELDER ABUSE As the population ages, and the number of older people rises, it is expected that...
How To Make A Report The Safe Church Unit is available as a first point of contact for reports...
CHILD RELATED SAFE CHURCH MATTERS There are a number of Child Protection Obligations placed upon...
Listening To Children In Matthew 19:14 Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not...
The Working With Children Check All people working with children under 18 years of age and all...
interim negative notices If an individual receives an Interim Negative Notice upon applying for a...
The National Child Safe Standards The National Child Safe Standards are a direct result of the...
THE VICTORIAN REPORTABLE CONDUCT SCHEME Commences 1 January 2018 for all religious organisations...
The New South Wales Reportable Conduct Scheme From 1 March 2020, the Reportable Conduct Scheme is...
ACT Reportable Conduct Scheme Organisation-related child protection The Reportable Conduct Scheme...