Safe Church - Church Council Responsibilities

March 2025

Safe Church

Church Councils' Responsibility for Safe Church

The Uniting Church in Australia believes that all people, including children, are made in the image of God. As a community of faith, we are committed to providing safe environments for all people including children, so that they may live life in all its fullness.

Church Councils as the governing body of the congregation have an important role to play in Safe Church leadership, both within the mission of the church and as officers and responsible persons under the law.

 

SAFE CHURCH OFFICER RESOURCES

GRP Procedures - How to be a Safe, Healthy and Compliant Congregation (V1.1)

This is a (non-exhaustive) list of the different resources that you as a Safe Church Officer for your congregation, may need as you assist your church council and church in maintaining matters of compliance.

 

Forms Prepared for you:

  1. Culture of Safety - Ministry Engagement Form
  2. Culture of Safety - Referee Check (SRE & Child-Related Roles)
  3. Culture of Safety - Referee Check (Non Child-Related Roles)
  4. Culture of Safety - Incident Report
  5. Culture of Safety - General Activity Risk Management Form
  6. GRP - Activity Risk Assessment
  7. GRP - Annual Ministry Outline Template
  8. Child and Youth Information Form
  9. Child and Ministry Transport Permission Form
  10. Child and Youth Driver Declaration Form
  11. UCA - Volunteer Register

 

Policies and Statements to Adopt

  1. Culture of Safety - Child Safe Commitment Statement
  2. OCG - 10 National Child Safe Standards
  3. GRP Policy - Child Safety
  4. Culture of Safety - Complaints Policy
  5. Culture of Safety - Responding to Concerns about Vulnerable People
  6. GRP Privacy Policy
  7. GRP Screening Policy
  8. GRP Food Handling Policy

Here are some examples of Role Descriptions

(Download as Word documents):

 Here are some examples of Ministry Outlines with relevant Role Descriptions included:

(Download as Word documents):

Here are some simple procedures to follow:

How to Register with the NSW Office of the Children’s Guardian as an Employer

How to Verify WWCCs

How to Screen Volunteers

How to Conduct a Risk Assessment

 

NOTE: For documents like "How to be a Safe, Healthy and Compliant Congregation", version updates are anticipated and expected as regulations change and evolve. These are living documents that will grow with the needs of the wider church to uphold current WHS standards.