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Home / Safe Church Health Check Application

Safe Church Health Check Application

1 Introduction

2 Contact Details

3 Standard 1

4 Standard 2

5 Standard 3

6 Standard 4

7 Standard 5

8 Standard 6

9 Standard 7

10 Standard 8

11 Standard 9

12 Standard 10

13 Declaration

Introduction
Welcome to the Safe Church Health Check online application.

Please ensure that you are ready to complete the application before opening an online form.

You do not have to complete the application form in one sitting, however, it will only remain active for a maximum of 30 days. After 30 days, all information will be irretrievably lost. We recommend drafting answers in a word processing program so that they can be discussed by the Safe Church Team and approved by the church governance body before submission.

If you have any questions please contact Katie Watson, Safe Church Coordinator, at schc@nswactbaptists.org.au.
Read an introductory letter
Dear Church Leader,

Thank you for considering this Safe Church Health Check.

Baptist Churches of NSW & ACT are committed to modelling the love of Christ by promoting physical, emotional and spiritual safety in all that we do. As part of this commitment, we have prepared this Safe Church Package to assist your church in becoming a place that promotes the wellbeing of all people. We strongly encourage you to consider the contents of this Package and to use the material provided to prepare your church for the Safe Church Health Check.

We recognise that the growing number of recommendations and legal requirements may leave you feeling apprehensive or overwhelmed. We are confident, however, that the Safe Church Health Check will support you as you navigate these challenges. Our heart is to equip and support local churches for ministry and so we have sought to provide suggested structures and resources to reduce the burden on you as much as possible. However, your local church leadership will need to take some steps to implement these Safe Church practices as appropriate to your local church context. We encourage each local church to delegate this important task to appropriate individuals. The church pastor is not necessarily required to undertake these tasks themselves.

In 2013, the Australian Government authorised a Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse (Royal Commission) in response to community concern about widespread reports of cases where Australian institutions failed to protect children from child sexual abuse. The work of this Royal Commission has emphasised that members of the public, children, young people, parents, carers, families and communities should be confident that organisations working with children provide safe environments.

The Royal Commission recommended 10 Child Safe Standards. The Child Safe Standards collectively show that a child safe organisation is one that creates a culture, adopts strategies and takes action to promote child wellbeing and prevent harm to children and young people. In February 2019, the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) agreed to endorse National Principles based on the Child Safe Standards. The NSW government has indicated that compliance with the Child Safe Standards will soon become mandatory for all organisations that provide services to children, including churches. Accordingly, the Safe Church Health Check has been designed to assist churches to meet the Child Safe Standards.

In addition to potential legislative implementation of the Child Safe Standards, churches have existing legal obligations when it comes to providing activities and services to children and young people, including:
- Common law and statutory duties to take reasonable precautions to prevent child abuse
- Requirement to ensure that people doing certain defined work hold relevant clearance checks;
- Reporting to government authorities in accordance with their obligations, if any, under:
  - Mandatory Reporting Legislation
  - Reportable Conduct Legislation
  - Criminal Legislation
  - WWCC Legislation in NSW
  - WWVP Legislation in ACT
The Safe Church Health Check is a comprehensive review tool which will assess your church’s Safe Church Practices against identified minimum standards for compliance with these various legal duties. Of course, mere legal compliance is not our aim, rather we hope to promote a culture that reflects the love of Christ, loves and protects individuals, and fosters missional engagement with local communities.

There are a range of resources relating to the Safe Church Health Check available on our Creating Safe Spaces webpage:
www.creatingsafespaces.org.au/schc

If you have any further questions please contact our Safe Church Coordinator Katie Watson on schc@nswactbaptists.org.au

Rev Jonathan Bradford
Ministry Standards Manager

Dr Katie Watson
Safe Church Coordinator
Where do I start?

Where do I start?
If you are a church leader or church administrator, the first step is to have the governance body of your church appoint a Safe Church Team.

The Safe Church Team may include paid staff and/or volunteers, we have provided a model Role Description to outline their responsibilities. It is a very important role which will report directly to the Senior Pastor and Governance body of the church. It is important that the Safe Church Team has at least one male and at least one female.

The Safe Church Team may go through the process of identifying policies and amending procedures for your church context but it is important to understand that the Senior Pastor and Governance body will still have legal responsibility for ensuring that reasonable precautions are taken within the church context. For more information on these responsibilities, please see the Legal Overview Document on the Creating Safe Spaces webpage (www.creatingsafespaces.org.au/resources)

If you have been appointed as part of a Safe Church Team then your church has already understood the importance of addressing these issues in a comprehensive and compassionate way. You may like to begin by gathering together any existing policies or information used in your church. This will help you to identify which areas might require more attention.

What next?
Once you have the existing documents together, meet with the Safe Church Team to consider these and consider the model Safe Church Policy and procedures provided as part of this Safe Church Package. The Safe Church Health Check will ask you to attach your policy and procedure documents. These documents will need to be marked with the date they were formally adopted by the governance body. This is important as it ensures that the governance body is aware of the contents of the documents, provides formal authority for the documents and also indicates how recently any particular document was amended.

The Safe Church Health Check will also ask for details of the Work, Health and Safety Team, as their responsibilities address issues related to physical environments.

Once you have these preliminary steps in place, you are ready to begin working through the Safe Church Health Check. As you answer the questions, be aware that arrangements may differ significantly from church to church – particularly according to church size and resources. We have provided some ideas and examples for any question where details are requested. However, you may have alternative ideas, or in some instances, you may have reasons to suggest that a particular item is not relevant or necessary in your context. If that is the case, please just provide a brief explanation of those reasons.

The Safe Church Health Check is designed to provide assistance for churches as they address various obligations. We are here to help! If you have any questions please contact us.
10 Child Safe Standards
10 Child Safe Standards¹
1. Child safety is embedded in institutional 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 child sexual 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.
_{For more information see the Office of the Children’s Guardian (NSW) https://www.kidsguardian.nsw.gov.au/child-safe-organisations/child-safe-standards or Final Report of the Royal Commission into Institutional responses to Child Abuse https://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/making-institutions-child-safe}
Instructions
How the Safe Church Health Check works
The Safe Church Health Check has been designed to assist your church to meet legal obligations regarding child safety. It will also assist your church to adhere to the Child Safe Standards as recommended by the Royal Commission. The NSW Government will soon make compliance with the Child Safe Standards mandatory for all organisations that provide services to children and young people.

Participation in the Safe Church Health Check is also recommended by Baptist Insurance Services as a means of ensuring that your church is well equipped to make the declaration regarding child safe policy and practice required to maintain continued insurance coverage for sexual molestation claims.

There are 10 sections of the Safe Church Health Check. Each section addresses one of the Child Safe Standards and adopts the following structure:

All the information you need to complete your Safe Church Health Check is included in the Safe Church Package. This includes:
- Model Safe Church Policy
- Model Procedure for Staff and Volunteers
- Model Procedure for Handling Complaints against Staff and Volunteers
- Model Procedure for Conflict Resolution
- Model Procedure for Responding to Child Protection Concerns (NSW)
- Model Procedure for Responding to Child Protection Concerns (ACT)
- Model Code of Conduct
- Other Model documents to help you implement the Policy and Procedures
Your church is encouraged to adopt and implement the provided model Safe Church Policy and associated documents. This means that your governance body will need to consider and formally adopt the policy, noting the date of adoption on the cover of the policy document. Space is also provided to add your church logo – this is particularly useful for documents that will be distributed such as the Code of Conduct, Safe Church Policy and Ministry Information Forms.

It is not mandatory to adopt the provided model Policy and Procedures. If your church already has comprehensive policies in place, you may choose to retain these. Alternatively, your church may choose to amend the model documents to suit your local context. However, if you make any changes to model documents you will be asked to provide an explanation.

In order to comply with the standards set out in the Safe Church Health Check, you will need to:
- Answer ‘Yes’ to each of the questions;
- Provide comments or explanations where required;
- Attach the appropriate supporting documentation; and
- You can submit your church’s Safe Church Health Check
  - online at www.creatingsafespaces.org.au/schc
  - or post a copy of the completed form and documents to:
    Baptist Churches of NSW & ACT
    Ministry and Learning Centre
    Level 4, 5 Saunders Close
    Macquarie Park NSW 2113
For churches affiliated with Baptist Churches of NSW & ACT, there is no cost for participation in the Safe Church Health Check

After your Safe Church Health Check documentation has been reviewed and considered to be satisfactory, a certificate will be issued to your church. The certificate lasts for three years. At the end of the three year period, you will be asked to apply for a new Safe Church Health Check. We recommend displaying the Safe Church Health Check certificate on your church noticeboard.

Once you are issued with a certificate, you will also have permission to use the Safe Church Health Check logo on your church website and/or printed materials for the duration of the certificate.

If there are any areas considered not to be satisfactory in your Safe Church Health Check application, we will provide feedback to assist your church in making the necessary changes or improvements and invite you to resubmit the relevant documents.

Please address any questions to:
Katie Watson (Safe Church Coordinator)
02 9868 9212
schc@nswactbaptists.org.au

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Church Contact Details
Church Name*
Church Contact Name*
The name of the person completing the Safe Church Health Check
First Last
Church Contact Position*
The church position of the person completing the Safe Church Health Check. (e.g. Pastor)
Church Contact Phone*
Church Contact Email*
(THE EMAIL ADDRESS FOR FOLLOW UP INFORMATION AND COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE TO BE SENT TO)
Church state*
- NSW
- ACT

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Standard 1
Child safety is embedded in institutional leadership, governance and culture.
1. The institution publicly commits to child safety and leaders champion a child safe culture.
2. Child safety is a shared responsibility at all levels of the institution.
3. Risk management strategies focus on preventing, identifying and mitigating risks to children.
4. Staff and volunteers comply with a code of conduct that sets clear behavioural standards towards children.
5. Staff and volunteers understand their obligations on information sharing and record keeping.
What this might look like
- Leaders inform themselves about child safety and wellbeing
- Staff and volunteers of the organisation are encouraged to value and ensure child safety and wellbeing
- Safe Church procedures are integrated into church culture and everyday practices
- There are named people with whom to discuss practices and concerns
- Responsibilities of all staff and volunteers are reflected in position descriptions
- All staff take active steps to ensure child safe practices
Further Information

The Royal Commission explains:
A child safe institution is committed to child safety. This commitment should be supported at all levels of the institution and be embedded in an institution’s leadership, governance and culture, and all aspects of the institution’s business and practice. Institutional culture consists of the collective values and practices that guide the attitudes and behaviour of staff and volunteers. It guides the way things are done and the way issues are managed, dealt with and responded to. A positive, child-focused culture could help to protect children from sexual abuse and facilitate the identification of and proper response to child sexual abuse.*

Included in the Safe Church Package:
A model Safe Church Policy and model role description for the Safe Church Team is included in the Safe Church Package. If your church chooses to adopt the model Safe Church Policy, please ensure that your church name and/or logo is inserted where necessary and the date of adoption by the governance body is noted on the front of the document.

_{*(Royal Commission into Institutional Response to Child Sexual Abuse Final Report Volume 6 ‘Making Institutions Child Safe’ Appendix A p413 available at https://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/ )}
Standard 1: Please select Yes / No and provide comments as required
1. Does your church, including the Pastor/s, staff and governance body, commit to upholding the Child Safe Standards and promoting child safety and wellbeing?*
- Yes
- No
Please provide an explanation for selecting No for this question*
2. Does your church have a Safe Church Policy?*
- Yes
- No
Please provide an explanation for selecting No for this question*
3. Is your Safe Church Policy publicly available and current?*
- Yes
- No
Please provide an explanation for selecting No for this question*
4. Explain how your commitment to child safety is publicised, including how your Safe Church Policy is made available.*
For example, signage in the church, information available on the church website, mention in the weekly newsletter, copies of policy available at the information desk and/or sign-in desk.
5. Is your Safe Church Policy written in language that is easily understood by church members, attendees and the wider community?*
- Yes
- No
Please provide an explanation for selecting No for this question*
6. Does your Safe Church Team have at least one male and one female member?*
- Yes
- No
Please provide an explanation for selecting No for this question*
7. Safe Church Team (add more names if necessary)
7.1 Safe Church Team Member 1 - Name*
First Last
Team Member 1 Contact via*
Team Member 1 Phone*
Team Member 1 Email*
7.2 Safe Church Team Member 2 - Name*
First Last
Team Member 2 Contact via*
Team Member 2 Phone*
Team Member 2 Email*
7.3 Safe Church Team Member 3 - Name
First Last
Team Member 3 Contact via*
Team Member 3 Phone*
Team Member 3 Email*
7.4 If you have more than three team members please add further names and contact info here
Safe Church Policy
Please Attach - Safe Church Policy*
Drop files here or

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Standard 2
Children participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously.
1. Children are able to express their views and are provided opportunities to participate in decisions that affect their lives.
2. The importance of friendships is recognised and support from peers is encouraged, helping children feel safe and be less isolated.
3. Children can access sexual abuse prevention programs and information.
4. Staff and volunteers are attuned to signs of harm and facilitate child-friendly ways for children to communicate and raise their concerns.
What this might look like
- Children and young people can recognise safe environments and know how to seek help or raise concerns if they feel unsafe
- Staff and volunteers put children’s best interests first
- Staff and volunteers take children seriously when they communicate about their feelings, needs and concerns
- Children and young people are supported and encouraged to take part in various ministry areas in the life of the church (as appropriate)
- There are regular opportunities for children and young people to communicate their ideas and opinions and to contribute to the plans and vision of the church
Further Information
The Institute of Child Protection Studies has produced a short (10 Minutes) video summarising their research in the Children’s Safety Study listening to children and young people. (watch video)
Standard 2: Please select Yes / No and provide comments as required
1. Is your church friendly and welcoming for children and young people?*
- Yes
- No
Please provide an explanation for selecting No for this question*
Explain how your church is friendly and welcoming for children and young people.*
For example, by the inclusion of children and young people in church services, consideration of children’s and young people’s needs when planning programs, child-friendly facilities.
2. Do children and young people have a say in planning and is their input and feedback encouraged in the groups or ministries that they are directly involved in (for example, Sunday Kids Programs, Kids Club, Youth Group)?*
- Yes
- No
Please provide an explanation for selecting No for this question*
Please comment on how this occurs in your church.*
For example, via suggestion box, feedback forms, informal discussions.
3. Do children and young people have a say in planning and is their input and feedback encouraged, in the activities and ministries of the wider church?*
- Yes
- No
Please provide an explanation for selecting No for this question*
Please comment on how this occurs in your church.*
For example, via suggestion box, feedback forms, informal discussions.
4. Does your church value children and young people and demonstrate this attitude by supporting positive peer relationships and providing support as appropriate?*
- Yes
- No
Please provide an explanation for selecting No for this question*
Please comment on how this occurs in your church.*
For example, modelling communication strategies, displaying child safe hotline number, discussing friendship.

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Standard 3
Families and communities are informed and involved.
1. Families have the primary responsibility for the upbringing and development of their child and participate in decisions affecting their child.
2. The institution engages in open, two-way communication with families and communities about its child safety approach and relevant information is accessible.
3. Families and communities have a say in the institution’s policies and practices.
4. Families and communities are informed about the institution’s operations and governance.
What this might look like
- Families and communities are aware of the church’s Safe Church Policy and associated procedures
- The Church and ministry leaders actively seek feedback from families and communities
- Ministry leaders consult with parents and carers about their children
- Parents and carers are encouraged and supported to talk to their children about safety and wellbeing
Further Information
For churches with significant culturally and linguistically diverse communities, we recommend developing translations of the Safe Church Policy and information about who to go to lodge a complaint or report a child protection concern. If there are staff and volunteers for whom English is not their first language, we recommend providing translations of the Code of Conduct and Screening Questionnaires.

Additional Resources:
The Australian Human Rights Commission has produced information on the National Principles for Child Safe Organisation (which are based on the Royal Commission's Child Safe Standards) in various community languages. (read)
Standard 3: Please select Yes / No and provide comments as required
1. Is your church’s Safe Church Policy and associated procedures available to families and communities?*
- Yes
- No
Please provide an explanation for selecting No for this question*
Please comment on how your church makes these documents available to families and communities*
For example, via handouts, posters, available on the church website.
2. Is your church’s Safe Church Policy and associated procedures provided in a format and language that is accessible to families and communities?*
- Yes
- No
Please provide an explanation for selecting No for this question*
Please comment on how your church ensures that relevant documents are accessible to families and communities.*
For example, they are available online and in hard copy, produced in appropriate languages for people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds etc.
3. Are families encouraged to be involved in decisions affecting their child?*
- Yes
- No
Please provide an explanation for selecting No for this question*
Please provide an explanation of how your church includes families in decisions, planning and policies affecting their child.*
For example, parent information nights, parent letters and handouts, informal discussions with leaders... ‘Is Johnny enjoying Ignite? Is there anything you’d like to talk to us about?’, use of a Ministry Information Form, parental involvement as leaders/helpers, family social events to build connection.
4. Are families able to provide feedback to the church regarding issues concerning their child, programs and child safety practices?*
- Yes
- No
Please provide an explanation for selecting No for this question*
Please comment on how this occurs in your church.*

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Standard 4
Equity is upheld and diverse needs taken into account.
1. The institution actively anticipates children’s diverse circumstances and backgrounds and responds effectively to those with additional vulnerabilities.
2. All children have access to information, support and complaints processes.
3. The institution pays particular attention to the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, children with disability, and children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
What this might look like
- Physical accessibility is considered in building design and renovation
- The church actively seeks to consider the needs of people with diverse needs
- Ministry leaders intentionally seek to create spaces that are welcoming, safe and culturally respectful
- Staff and volunteers consider how safety and wellbeing, communication and participation might differ for children and young people with diverse needs
Further Information
For more information and ideas please contact Baptist Children’s Ministries: (website)
Standard 4: Please select Yes / No and provide comments as required
1. Does your church support children and young people with diverse needs?*
- Yes
- No
Please provide an explanation for selecting No for this question*
Please describe how your church caters for children and young people with diverse needs.*
For example, written material in languages other than English, facilities for children and young people with a disability, culturally appropriate programs, artwork on display, programs and activities celebrating diversity.

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Standard 5
People working with children are suitable and supported.
1. Recruitment, including advertising and screening, emphasises child safety.
2. Relevant staff and volunteers have Working With Children Checks.
3. All staff and volunteers receive an appropriate induction and are aware of their child safety responsibilities, including reporting obligations.
4. Supervision and people management have a child safety focus.
What this might look like
- Child safety and wellbeing is emphasised in advertising, referee checks, pre-employment screening and supervision for staff and volunteers
- Church leaders asses the values, motives and attitudes of applicants to ensure a culture of child safety and wellbeing
- The Church delivers, or provides access to, regular training and/or information sessions regarding child safety and wellbeing
- Ministry leaders ensure everyone is informed about policies and procedures and knows how to enact them
Further Information
More information about legal requirements for screening
In NSW, WWCC is required for Staff and volunteers who serve:
- as a religious leader or spiritual officer (eg. pastor, regular preacher, worship leader)
- in a governance role (eg. elder, deacon, council member)
- in child-related work (eg. children’s ministry, creche, youth ministry)
- as leader of a ministry with children or young people in their team (eg. café, cleaning roster)
In NSW, it is a legal requirement to both record and verify the WWCC number for anyone engaged in child-related work. For more information on the WWCC please go to: (www.kidsguardian.nsw.gov.au/child-safe-organisations/working-with-children-check)

In ACT, WWVP registration is required for Staff and volunteers who serve:
- as a religious leader or spiritual officer (eg. pastor, regular preacher, worship leader)
- in a governance role (eg. elder, deacon, council member)
- in child-related work (eg. children’s ministry, creche, youth ministry)
- in ministry with vulnerable adults (eg. seniors, persons with disabilities)
Use of the title ‘Pastor’
The Royal Commission into Child Sexual Abuse concluded that the ‘lack of control over who is able to represent themselves as a pastor’ constitutes‘a weakness in the necessary safety controls [churches] should have in place to protect children’*. The Baptist Churches of NSW and ACT have recommended that the title Pastor be restricted to people who have been, or are in the process of applying to be, Accredited or Recognised Ministers by the Baptist Churches of NSW & ACT. Please see the letter enclosed in this package which was sent to churches in October 2018.
Included in the Safe Church Package:
Model documents (Procedure for Staff and Volunteers, Screening Questionnaires and Code of Conduct) are available as part of the package. If your church chooses to adopt these documents, please ensure that your church name is inserted where necessary and the date of adoption by the governance body is noted on the front of the document.
_{* Royal Commission into Institutional Response to Child Sexual Abuse Final Report Volume 18 p88 available at www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au}
Standard 5: Please select Yes / No and provide comments as required
1. Does your church have a Procedure for Staff and Volunteers?*
- Yes
- No
Please provide an explanation for selecting No for this question*
2. Have all staff and volunteers completed the Screening Check Questionnaire?*
- Yes
- No
Please provide an explanation for selecting No for this question*
3. Do you have role descriptions for all staff and volunteer roles?*
- Yes
- No
Please provide an explanation for selecting No for this question*
4. Are all staff and volunteers aware of the role description for their role/s?*
- Yes
- No
Please provide an explanation for selecting No for this question*
5. Do all staff and volunteers undergo a documented induction process?*
- Yes
- No
Please provide an explanation for selecting No for this question*
6. Does your church have a Code of Conduct for Staff and Volunteers?*
- Yes
- No
Please provide an explanation for selecting No for this question*
7. Have all staff & volunteers signed the Safe Church Policy and Code of Conduct for Staff and Volunteers?*
- Yes
- No
Please provide an explanation for selecting No for this question*
8. Do all of the Church’s staff and volunteers who are regularly engaged in Child-related Work have a valid and current WWCC and has your church verified the WWCC or application number online?*
- Yes
- No
Please provide an explanation for selecting No for this question*
8. Do all of the Church’s staff and volunteers (including young people) who engage in a Regulated Activity (which would include activities or services provided by religious organisations that are specifically for, or mainly used by children), have a valid and current WWVP clearance?*
- Yes
- No
Please provide an explanation for selecting No for this question*
9. Have all of your Pastoral Staff completed a National Police Criminal Record Check?*
- Yes
- No
Please provide an explanation for selecting No for this question*
10. Does your church keep a record of whether Pastoral Staff have completed a National Police Criminal Record Check AND a copy of the National Police Criminal Record Check?*
- Yes
- No
Please provide an explanation for selecting No for this question*
11. Does your church maintain a Safe Church Register?*
- Yes
- No
Please provide an explanation for selecting No for this question*
12. Is your Safe Church Register up to date?*
- Yes
- No
Please provide an explanation for selecting No for this question*
13. Has your church governance body done either a. or b. below?*
- Yes
- No
Please provide an explanation for selecting No for this question*
1. Agreed to restrict the use of the title ‘Pastor’ to people who have been, or are in the process of applying to be, Accredited or Recognised Ministers by Baptist Churches NSW & ACT,
2. Decided to use the title Pastor in some additional circumstances (If your church has decided to permit the use of the title ‘Pastor’ in circumstances other than those recommended, please attach a copy of the decision made by your church’s governance body, along with the date on which the decision was made.)
Select a. or b. as appropriate*
- a.
- b.
Please attach the following document/s:
Screening Questionnaire/s*
Drop files here or
Code of Conduct for Staff and Volunteers*
Drop files here or
Procedure for Staff and Volunteers*
Drop files here or
Your church’s Safe Church Register (dates of birth and WWCC/WWVP numbers may be redacted)*
Drop files here or
Minutes of the governance body’s decision not to follow the recommendation regarding use of the title “Pastor”*
Drop files here or

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Standard 6
Processes to respond to complaints of child sexual abuse [or other concerns*] are child focused.
1. The institution has a child-focused complaint handling system that is understood by children, staff, volunteers and families.
2. The institution has an effective complaint handling policy and procedure which clearly outline roles and responsibilities, approaches to dealing with different types of complaints and obligations to act and report.
3. Complaints are taken seriously, responded to promptly and thoroughly,and reporting, privacy and employment law obligations are met.
_{* Baptist Churches of NSW & ACT have broadened the scope of this standard to meet the scope of the National Principles agreed by Council Of Australian Governments.}
What this might look like
- The process for raising complaints and concerns about child safety is clear, accessible and prioritises the safety and wellbeing of children and young people
- Staff and volunteers know when and how to report to relevant authorities
- Information about raising and responding to concerns and complaints is available in various accessible formats including child-friendly formats
- There is a clearly defined record keeping system for concerns and complaints
Further Information

The Royal Commission explains*:
A child-focused complaints process is an important strategy for helping children and others in institutions to make complaints. Child safe institutions respond to complaints by immediately protecting children at risk and addressing complaints promptly, thoroughly and fairly.

A child-safe institution has clear and detailed policies and procedures about how to respond to complaints. Staff and volunteers understand their responsibility for making a complaint promptly if they become aware of concerning behaviours, as well as their reporting obligations to external authorities. Complaint processes specify steps that need to be taken to comply with requirements of procedural fairness for affected parties, have review mechanisms, and ensure any disciplinary action that is taken withstands external scrutiny in accordance with relevant employment law and other employer responsibilities.
Included in the Safe Church Package:
Model Procedures are provided as part of this Safe Church Package. If your church chooses to adopt these model procedures, please ensure that your church name is inserted where necessary and the date of adoption by the governance body is noted on the front of the document. If you make changes to any of the procedures, please attach an explanation regarding why you have made such changes.

_{* Royal Commission into Institutional Response to Child Sexual Abuse Final Report Volume 6 ‘Making Institutions Child Safe’ Appendix A p426 available at www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au}
Standard 6: Please select Yes / No and provide comments as required
1. Are all staff and volunteers aware of the Procedure for Conflict Resolution, Procedure for Responding to Child Protection Concerns and Procedure for Handling Complaints against Staff and Volunteers?*
- Yes
- No
Please provide an explanation for selecting No for this question*
Please describe how you ensure that all staff and volunteers are aware of the relevant policies and procedures?*
For example, through induction process and training, keeping copies of the Procedures in prominent place in church office, all staff and volunteers signing Safe Church Policy
2. Are families aware of the Procedure for Handling Complaints against Staff and Volunteers and the roles and responsibilities of all relevant parties?*
- Yes
- No
Please provide an explanation for selecting No for this question*
Please describe how your church ensures that families are aware of the relevant procedures and the persons responsible for their implementation*
For example, through information on your webpage or church noticeboard
3. Does your church have a child-focused approach to the management of complaints and concerns including communicating to children and young people about who to approach if they feel unsafe?*
- Yes
- No
Please provide an explanation for selecting No for this question*
Please comment on how this occurs in your church*
For example, posters on display, discussion about child safety
Please attach the following document/s:
Procedure for Conflict Resolution*
Drop files here or
Procedure for Responding to Child Protection Concerns*
Drop files here or
Procedure for Handling Complaints against Staff and Volunteers*
Drop files here or

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Standard 7
Staff are equipped with the knowledge, skills and awareness to keep children and young people safe through continual education and training.
1. Relevant staff and volunteers receive training on the nature and indicators of child maltreatment, particularly institutional child sexual abuse.
2. Staff and volunteers receive training on the institution’s child safe practices and child protection.
3. Relevant staff and volunteers are supported to develop practical skills in protecting children and responding to disclosures.
What this might look like
- Staff and volunteers engage in training which addresses the circumstances and experiences that increase a child’s vulnerability to harm and how to recognise signs of child sexual abuse
- Staff and volunteers share skills to allow continual improvement in promoting safe environments
- Ministry leaders engage in training to develop effective risk management approaches to ensure child safety and wellbeing
Further Information
Staff and volunteers who are required to attend Creating Safe Spaces training include anyone who serves:
- as a religious leader or spiritual officer (eg: pastor, regular preacher, worship leader)
- in a governance role (eg: elder, deacon, council member)
- in child-related work (eg: children’s ministry, creche, youth ministry)
- in ministry with vulnerable adults (eg: seniors, persons with disabilities)
- as leader of a ministry with children or young people in their team (eg: café, cleaning roster)
For more information on Creating Safe Spaces training please go to www.creatingsafespaces.org.au
The Royal Commission recommends*:
Each religious institution should ensure that all people in religious or pastoral ministry, including religious leaders, have professional supervision with a trained professional or pastoral supervisor who has a degree of independence from the institution within which the person is in ministry.

The Baptist Churches of NSW & ACT strongly encourage that all pastors engage in regular supervision or mentoring as outlined in their letter to churches dated October 2018 enclosed in this package. The Safe Church Health Check requires all pastors to engage in some form of guided reflective practice: supervision, coaching, mentoring or spiritual direction.

_{* Royal Commission into Institutional Response to Child Sexual Abuse Final Report Recommendations available at www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/sites/default/files/final_report_-_recommendations.pdf}
Standard 7: Please select Yes / No and provide comments as required
1. Does your church provide ongoing training opportunities for staff and volunteers as appropriate to their needs and role?*
- Yes
- No
Please provide an explanation for selecting No for this question*
Please describe how ongoing training opportunities are provided.*
For example, attendance at Baptist Youth Ministries State Conference, Children & Family Ministries (CFM) Leaders Retreat, CFM Connect Day/s, Pastors & Leaders Day, Leadership Conversations.
2. Does (or would) your church provide support to staff, volunteers or church members who disclose Child Sexual Abuse, Sexual Misconduct involving a child, or a Risk of Significant Harm to children or young people?*
- Yes
- No
Please provide an explanation for selecting No for this question*
Please describe how support is or would be provided.*
For example, referral to counselling or pastoral care team.
3. Have all the church’s relevant staff and volunteers attended Creating Safe Spaces training within the last 3 years or undertaken the online module and committed to attend a face to face workshop within 9 months of commencement?*
- Yes
- No
Please provide an explanation for selecting No for this question*
4. Do all your Pastoral Staff engage in some form of regular guided reflective practice (e.g. supervision, mentoring, coaching, spiritual direction) as recommended by the Royal Commission and Baptist Churches of NSW & ACT?*
- Yes
- No
Please provide an explanation for selecting No for this question*
Please provide details of the guided reflective practice each of your pastors has undertaken in the last twelve months:
Click the + sign to add more
Name of Pastor Type of Guided Reflective Practice Number of Sessions
Please attach the following document/s:
Record of CSS training (and renewal dates) if this is not captured in your Safe Church register.
Drop files here or

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Standard 8
Physical and online environments minimise the opportunity for abuse [or other harm*] to occur.
1. Risks in the online and physical environment are identified and mitigated without compromising a child’s right to privacy and healthy development
2. The online environment is used in accordance with the institution’s code of conduct and relevant policies.
_{* Baptist Churches of NSW & ACT have broadened the scope of this standard to meet the scope of the National Principles agreed by COAG.}
What this might look like
- The Church takes steps to identify places and activities where there may be the risk of harm to children
- Ministry leaders identify any children or young people who may be at increased risk of harm due to situation or particular vulnerability
- The Church and ministry leaders implement and communicate agreed guidelines for online communication
- Third party contractors and hirers of facilities are required to have appropriate measures in place to ensure the safety and wellbeing of children and young people
Further Information
Online safety
An important part of compliance with this Standard involves addressing online safety risks. Model Guidelines for Activities with Children and Young People, including suggestions regarding use of social media, are available as part of this package.

Third parties and affiliated entities
The Royal Commission recommended that agencies which are affiliated with a church should report their compliance with Child Safe Standards to the church on an annual basis.*

This is relevant where a church operates a school, preschool or other service to children and young people. It may also be relevant where the church engages in ministry or ministry partnerships overseas. Please contact your Baptist World Aid Church Relationships Manager for more resources www.baptistworldaid.org.au/our-story/our-people/church-relations/
Persons of Concern
A flyer entitled ‘An Australian Baptist Response to Persons of Concern’ is included with the Safe Church Package. This flyer outlines the risk management process for known sex offenders and other persons of concern and the reasonable precautions requires to ensure safe ministry. In adhering to this process your church may decide that the most reasonable precaution in your context is to exclude a known sex offender from attending your church services and activities.
Included in the Safe Church Package:
- Model procedures, Screening Questionnaires, Code of Conduct and letters to third parties and affiliated entities are available as part of the package. Please adapt these policies to the needs of your church. If your church chooses to adopt these documents, please ensure that your church name is inserted where necessary and the date of adoption by the governance body is noted on the front of the document.
_{* Recommendation 16.35 Royal Commission into Institutional Response to Child Sexual Abuse Final Report. www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/sites/default/files/final_repor t_-_recommendations.pdf}
Standard 8: Please select Yes / No and provide comments as required
1. Does your church have guidelines for risk management that address both physical and online risks to children and young people?*
- Yes
- No
Please provide an explanation for selecting No for this question*
2. Has your church’s Safe Church Team undertaken an audit of physical environment that might create increased risk of harm to children and young people? (for example, offices without windows, basement or other isolated areas, balcony areas)*
- Yes
- No
Please provide an explanation for selecting No for this question*
3. If the church has residential property that is identifiable with the church, have all regular adult residents been required to provide evidence of their WWCC / WWVP clearance? If N/A answer “Yes”.*
- Yes
- No
Please provide an explanation for selecting No for this question*
4. Has your church considered whether any ministries you support, including overseas ministries, have appropriate child protection practices in place? (This may include consideration of whether supporting orphanages overseas is appropriate)*
- Yes
- No
Please provide an explanation for selecting No for this question*
5. Does your church commit to performing risk assessments for all ministry activities at least annually?*
- Yes
- No
Please provide an explanation for selecting No for this question*
6. Does your church have a WHS Team to oversee the implementation of safe physical environments (including emergency procedures, risk assessments, privacy policy and safe food handling)?*
- Yes
- No
Please provide an explanation for selecting No for this question*
6.1 WHS Team Leader - Name*
First Last
Please list the names of other WHS Team members.
7. Have all paid Pastoral Staff, WHS Team Leader and WHS Team completed the Baptist Insurance Services (BIS) WHS online training?*
- Yes
- No
Please provide an explanation for selecting No for this question*
8. Do all associated entities (e.g. OOSH, School, Pre-school, Foodbank, Op Shop) report to the church on an annual basis regarding their compliance with the Child Safe Standards and the measures in place to ensure the safety of children and young people?*
- Yes
- No
Please provide an explanation for selecting No for this question*
9. Do any third-party groups who hire facilities (e.g. dance groups or tutoring) agree as part of their lease or licence agreement to abide by the Child Safe Standards and confirm that they have appropriate measures in place to ensure the safety of children and young people?*
- Yes
- No
Please provide an explanation for selecting No for this question*
10. Has your church leadership adopted the Australian Baptist Ministries endorsed process to manage Persons of Concern in your congregation?*
- Yes
- No
Please provide an explanation for selecting No for this question*
11. Do you ensure that any contractors (e.g. cleaners, tradespeople) that have contact with children (or could be considered to be engaged in Child-related Work) have a valid WWCC AND that the church has verified this number online?*
- Yes
- No
11. Do you ensure that any contractors (e.g. cleaners, tradespeople) that have contact with children (or could be considered to be engaged in Regulated Activities) have a valid WWVP?*
- Yes
- No
Please provide an explanation for selecting No for this question*
Please attach the following document/s:
Record of BIS WHS training for all paid staff, all members of the governing body and each member of the WHS (if this was not already recorded in the safe church register).
Drop files here or
Declaration Regarding Ministry with Persons of Concern.
Drop files here or

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Standard 9
Implementation of the Child Safe Standards is continually reviewed and improved.
1. The institution regularly reviews and improves child safe practices.
2. The institution analyses complaints to identify causes and systemic failures to inform continuous improvement.
What this might look like
- There are regular opportunities to specifically discuss child safe practices in the church e.g. meetings, forums, planning days
- Feedback is sought from children, young people, families and communities about child safe practices
- Any incidents or complaints are reviewed to help improve future plans for child safety and wellbeing
Further Information
A review should include:
- Considering and, if necessary, updating your Safe Church Policy and any procedures (this is one reason why you should record the date on which a policy or procedure was adopted by the governance body)
- Ensuring that the Safe Church Team is fulfilling their requirements
- Awareness of changing legislative requirements
- Making any required changes to policies/procedures
- Analysis of complaints/incidents
- Consideration of feedback from ministry leaders, children, young people and families.
Standard 9: Please select Yes / No and provide comments as required
1. Does your Church Leadership (Pastors, Deacons, Elders. Governance Group) have a minuted review of child safe practices at least on an annual basis?*
- Yes
- No
Please provide an explanation for selecting No for this question*
How does your church seek feedback on child safe practices, for consideration on review?*
For example, by publicising the date of this review to church attendees so that they are prompted to provide any relevant feedback.
2. Please identify the 3-5 most important potential risks or issues specific to children and young people in your church.*
For example, the church has not considered risk related to online communication, the youth room is isolated with no visibility, not all staff and volunteers have undertaken Creating Safe Spaces training, the church does not currently have strategies for listening to children and young people.
3. Please identify the steps your church can take in the next 12 months to address (or begin to address) the issues raised in question 2 above.*

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Standard 10
Policies and procedures document how the institution is child safe.
1. Policies and procedures address all Child Safe Standards.
2. Policies and procedures are accessible and easy to understand.
3. Best practice models and stakeholder consultation inform the development of policies & procedures.
4. Leaders champion and model compliance with policies and procedures.
5. Staff understand and implement the policies and procedures.
What this might look like
- Church leaders are familiar with the Child Safe Standards
- Child safe issues are regularly discussed at any leadership or governance meeting, both independently and in relation to other issues
- The church has a Safe Church Policy and sufficient clear and accessible procedures to enable the policy to be consistently implemented
- The church keeps copies of all policies, procedures and relevant documents
- The church maintains specific records of adherence to the Safe Church Policy to demonstrate compliance with legal obligations and reasonable responses to any risk (for example, sign-in sheets, training records, risk assessments, records of complaints)
Further Information
Records (which need to be kept for a minimum of 45 years) include, but are not limited to:
- Safe Church Policy (dated versions)
- Procedures (dated versions)
- Records of attendance (children, young people and leaders)
- Ministry Information Forms
- Permission and consent forms
- Incident reports
- Contemporaneous notes, where required (including notes regarding consideration of potentially reportable matters even where a report was not made)
Included in the Safe Church Package:
- Model Procedures and Forms are available as part of the package. If your church chooses to adopt these documents, please ensure that your church name is inserted where necessary and the date of adoption by the governance body is noted on the front of the document.
Standard 10: Please select Yes / No and provide comments as required
1. Do all your ministries that involve children (0-18 years) and vulnerable people have a process for gathering permission and consent forms, records of attendance, accident and incident reports and other relevant documents?*
- Yes
- No
Please provide an explanation for selecting No for this question*
2. Are your records securely stored for a minimum of 45 years?*
- Yes
- No
Please provide an explanation for selecting No for this question*
How are records stored?*
For example, in locked filing cabinets, online using secure servers, on a central computer with back up provisions
3. Does your church have a process for ensuring that staff and volunteers implement the Safe Church Policy and procedures?*
- Yes
- No
Please provide an explanation for selecting No for this question*
Please comment on how your church ensures that Safe Church Policy and procedures are implemented*
For example, random checks by Safe Church Team, discussion in staff reviews, discussion with ministry leaders
Please attach the following document/s or describe in the space provided:
Recording attendance (of leaders and attendees) at ministry events*
- I would like to attach a sample of the forms
- I would like to describe the method
A sample of the forms you use for recording attendance (of leaders and attendees) at ministry events*
Drop files here or
Describe the method you use for recording attendance (of leaders and attendees) at ministry events*
Recording parental permission and consent*
- I would like to attach a sample of the forms
- I would like to describe the method
A sample of the forms you use for recording parental permission and consent*
Drop files here or
Describe the method you use for recording parental permission and consent*
Recording accident and incident reporting*
- I would like to attach a sample of the forms
- I would like to describe the method
A sample of the forms you use for recording accident and incident reporting*
Drop files here or
Describe the method you use for recording accident and incident reporting*
If your church has any other policy or procedure documents that may be relevant for this Safe Church Health Check, attach these also.
Drop files here or
If you made any changes to any of the model documents and/or substituted one of your own documents, please describe or attach an outline of the changes.*
- I did not make any changes to model documents
- I would like to attach an outline of changes
- I would like to describe the changes
An outline of any changes made to model documents*
Drop files here or
Describe any changes made to model documents*

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Declaration
I
declare that I am authorised by
“the Church”, to complete the Safe Church Health Check, and that the answers and documentation provided are a true and accurate representation of the current practices of the Church.

I understand that this Safe Church Health Check process is offered by the Baptist Churches of NSW & ACT as a resource to assist the Church to review the Safe Church Policy and procedures of the Church. I understand that the Safe Church Health Check is an assessment against the standards contained in the Safe Church Health Check only and does not constitute an acceptance of legal responsibility by Baptist Churches of NSW & ACT.

The governance group understand that it is their duty to provide a safe church environment.
Title of governance group*
The governance group read and endorsed this document on:
(for online submissions this can be left blank, you will be asked to confirm this before the Safe Church Health Check process is finalised)
Date Format: DD slash MM slash YYYY
By ticking the following box I agree to the above declaration.*
- I agree
Please note, once this form is submitted you can not go back and change your responses. If you need to make any changes after submitting this form please contact:
Safe Church Coordinator
schc@nswactbaptists.org.au
9868 9212

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Name of Pastor	Type of Guided Reflective Practice	Number of Sessions

Introduction

Dear Church Leader,

Where do I start?

What next?

10 Child Safe Standards1

How the Safe Church Health Check works

Church Contact Details

Standard 1

Child safety is embedded in institutional leadership, governance and culture.

The Royal Commission explains:

Included in the Safe Church Package:

Standard 1: Please select Yes / No and provide comments as required

7. Safe Church Team (add more names if necessary)

Safe Church Policy

Standard 2

Children participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously.

Standard 2: Please select Yes / No and provide comments as required

Standard 3

Families and communities are informed and involved.

Additional Resources:

Standard 3: Please select Yes / No and provide comments as required

Standard 4

Equity is upheld and diverse needs taken into account.

Standard 4: Please select Yes / No and provide comments as required

Standard 5

People working with children are suitable and supported.

More information about legal requirements for screening

Use of the title ‘Pastor’

Included in the Safe Church Package:

Standard 5: Please select Yes / No and provide comments as required

Please attach the following document/s:

Standard 6

Processes to respond to complaints of child sexual abuse [or other concerns*] are child focused.

The Royal Commission explains*:

Included in the Safe Church Package:

Standard 6: Please select Yes / No and provide comments as required

Please attach the following document/s:

Standard 7

Staff are equipped with the knowledge, skills and awareness to keep children and young people safe through continual education and training.

Staff and volunteers who are required to attend Creating Safe Spaces training include anyone who serves:

The Royal Commission recommends*:

Standard 7: Please select Yes / No and provide comments as required

Please attach the following document/s:

Standard 8

Physical and online environments minimise the opportunity for abuse [or other harm*] to occur.

Online safety

Third parties and affiliated entities

Persons of Concern

Included in the Safe Church Package:

Standard 8: Please select Yes / No and provide comments as required

Please attach the following document/s:

Standard 9

Implementation of the Child Safe Standards is continually reviewed and improved.

A review should include:

Standard 9: Please select Yes / No and provide comments as required

Standard 10

Policies and procedures document how the institution is child safe.

Records (which need to be kept for a minimum of 45 years) include, but are not limited to:

Included in the Safe Church Package:

Standard 10: Please select Yes / No and provide comments as required

Please attach the following document/s or describe in the space provided:

Declaration

10 Child Safe Standards¹