Preventing Abuse
Promoting Standards of Behaviour
SUPPORT OF CLERGY AND CHURCHWORKERS
Clergy and church workers use this document to better understand self-care.
Bishops, supervisors and church wardens use this document to help clergy and church workers understand the importance of self-care and act on it.
Refer to Section 10, Ministry Support for Clergy, in the following report – Making our Church safe: A programme for action – General Synod 2004.
DEVELOPING OF A POLICY FOR THE USE OF TECHNOLOGY IN PASTORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Dioceses use this document to develop a policy which ensures communication in the church is safe for everyone.
Developing a policy for the use of technology in pastoral communications – Approved by Standing Committee, November 2013 (SC2013/2/30)
Training
Documents:
SAFE MINISTRY TRAINING BENCHMARKS
Dioceses use this document to assess their Safe Ministry Training program and delivery against National Benchmarks. The benchmarks set a high and consistent standard in Safe Ministry training across the Church and facilitate mutual recognition of training between dioceses.
Safe Ministry Training Benchmarks
FAITHFULNESS IN SERVICE DISCUSSION GUIDE
Leaders of training sessions in dioceses or parishes use this document to explore how Faithfulness in Service is applied by clergy and church workers.
CURRICULUM FOR TRAINING OF PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS BOARD MEMBERS
Dioceses use this document when establishing a training program for members of Professional Standards Boards.
Curriculum for Training of Members of Professional Standards Committees and Boards
Screening and Selecting Clergy and Church Workers
CHURCH WORKER MINISTRY POSITIONS
Model System for Selection and Accreditation of Church Workers in Parishes
Clergy and parishes (selectors) use this document when selecting and accrediting parish church workers including volunteers. It gives steps to follow before and after appointing a church worker. While it is designed for use in parishes it can be used by other church bodies.
Sample List of Church Worker Ministry Positions
Clergy and parishes use this document to create a list of positions that a church worker, including a volunteer, may hold. It is not an exhaustive list. Creating a list of ministry positions in your parish is the first step in the appointment process. See Model System for Selection and Accreditation of Church Workers in Parishes.
Sample List of Ministry Positions – Oct 2006
Sample Ministry Position Template – Church Worker Positions
Selectors use this document to set a framework for all church worker positions. It helps assess the type of ministry, responsibilities and reporting requirements of the role and if it is high risk or low risk in terms of potential harm (see step 3 in “Steps Prior to Appointment” in Model System for Selection and Accreditation of Church Workers in Parishes).
Sample Ministry Position Template Oct 2006
Church Worker Positions – Selection Checklist
Selection Checklist Instructions
SAFE MINISTRY CHECKS
Selectors and Bishops use this document when selecting people to carry out ordained or paid lay ministry.
It is completed by the applicant.
Completed Safe Ministry Checks are to be retained in a secure location for an indefinite period. Ordination candidates and clergy complete it every 3 years or each time they apply for a position. Paid church workers complete it every time they apply for a high risk position, unless they’re currently accredited for high risk ministry.
Selectors and Bishops use this document when selecting people to carry out ordained or paid lay ministry.
It is completed by the applicant’s referee.
Completed Referee Screening Questionnaires are to be retained in a secure location for an indefinite period.
This form must be completed when a person aged 18 years and over is going to undertake pastoral ministry that involves direct, regular and not incidental contact with children.
Roles involving pastoral care include Sunday School teacher, holiday program leader, youth leader, camp helper, overnight activity leader, regular creche assistant, music team leader, worship leader.
This form must be completed when a person aged between 13 and 17 years is going to undertake pastoral ministry that involves direct, regular and not incidental contact with children.
Roles involving pastoral care include Sunday School teacher, holiday program leader, youth leader, camp helper, overnight activity leader, regular creche assistant, music team leader, worship leader.
GUIDELINES FOR DIOCESES UNDERTAKING RISK ASSESSMENTS RELATING TO SEXUAL ABUSE
Assessment teams use this document to undertake a risk assessment to determine whether a person applying for a ministry position might pose an unacceptable risk to the safety of children and other vulnerable people.
Guidelines – Risk Assessment 2013
NATIONAL REGISTER PROTOCOL 2 – ACCESS 7 DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION
Protocol for access and disclosure of information on the National Register.
Bishops follow the protocol when ordaining, licencing or appointing.
Directors of Professional Standards follow the protocol when investigating allegations of sexual misconduct or child abuse, and when specific appointments or elections are held within the diocese.
The General Secretary follows the protocol when being requested to access or disclose information on the National Register.
Protocol for Access to and Disclosure of Information
PROTOCOL FOR COMPREHENSIVE PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT
Protocol for comprehensive psychological assessment for candidates for ordination.
Bishops and those responsible for the selection process follow the protocol when assessing whether candidates are suitable for ordination.
Documents for implementing the protocol are available for Bishops and those responsible for the selection process through the General Synod Office. (documents available – sample letters to candidates and psychologist).
A Process for Comprehensive Psychological Assessment – 17 December 2012
PROTOCOL FOR CHECKING DISCLOSURE OF MINISTRY SUITABILITY INFORMATION BETWEEN THE CHURCHES OF THE ANGLICAN COMMUNION
The Anglican Communion Safe Church Commission: Guidelines to enhance the safety of all persons – especially children, young people and vulnerable adults – within the provinces of the Anglican Communion were approved by the Anglican Consultative Council in May 2019.
Dioceses and ministry groups recruiting clergy and lay church workers from overseas are encouraged to follow the ‘Protocol for the Disclosure of ministry suitability information between the churches of the Anglican Communion’ contained in the guidelines to obtain a statement of ministry suitability which confirms whether or not there has been any substance of any allegation, charge, finding or admission of the commission of a criminal offence, or the breach of rules regarding the moral conduct of clergy and lay persons undertaking ministry, including rules relating to sexual conduct and conduct towards children and vulnerable adults, and if so, the substance of it.
Professional Supervision, Professional Development and Performance Appraisal
Ministry Wellbeing and Development: Policy Guidelines and Resources
Best practice for ministry wellbeing and development incorporates a commitment to professional development, professional supervision, and ministry reviews. This policy and its guidelines provide a framework for these three elements. They constitute an approach to life-long learning in ministry and give effect to the recommendations of the Royal Commission. The Ministry Wellbeing and Development: Policy, Guidelines and Resources has been endorsed by the Standing Committee of the General Synod. The Mission and Ministry Commission has the ongoing responsibility for questions relating to the policy and guidelines and will undertake a review after three years in consultation with dioceses.
Community Feedback
The Anglican Church of Australia is open to receiving and considering feedback from families and the community on its approach to child safety and wellbeing.
Please contact us if you would like to submit feedback or want more information on our safe ministry policies.