Child Safe Standard 3

STANDARD 3

Families and communities are informed and involved.

a) Families have the primary responsibility for the upbringing and development of their child and participate in decisions affecting the child.

b) The organisation engages in open, two-way communication with families and communities about its child safety approach, and relevant information is accessible.

c) Families and communities have a say in the organisation’s policies and practices.

d) Families and communities are informed about the organisation’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

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 so as 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

Some translated resources are available on the website of the Office of the Children’s Guardian.

The Office of the Children’s Guardian has produced an introductory video (4 mins) regarding Child Safe Standard 3.

(The video can be found in the Resources section of the OCG website)

Translated versions of the Safe Church Package documents are available via creatingsafespaces.org.au/resources

Form: Child Safe Standard 3

Please complete the below Child Safe Standard Form as part of your participation in this Safe Church Health Check.

Families and communities are informed and involved.

1a. Is your church’s Safe Church Policy and associated Procedures available to families and communities in a format that is accessible?(Required)

Yes

1b. Please comment on how your church makes these documents available to families and communities.(Required)

(For example, via handouts, posters, available on the church website.)

2a. Are families encouraged to be involved in decisions affecting their child?(Required)

Yes

2b. Please provide an explanation of how your church includes families in decisions, planning and policies affecting their child.(Required)

(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).

3a. Are families able to provide feedback to the church regarding issues concerning their child, programs and child safety practices?(Required)

Yes

3b. Please comment on how this occurs in your church.(Required)