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STANDARD 8

Physical and online environments minimise the opportunity for abuse or other kinds of harm to occur.

 

a) Risks in online and physical environments are identified and mitigated without compromising a child’s right to privacy and healthy development.

b) The online environment is used in accordance with the organisation’s Code of Conduct and relevant policies.

 

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

 

Risk Management 

Physical risk management is similar to WHS requirements but involves considering physical risks from the specific perspective of child safety. The Office of the Children’s Guardian has published a Handbook on Risk Management on their website. 

Online safety 

Model Guidelines for Activities with Children and Young People, including suggestions regarding use of social media, are available as part of this package. The Office of the Children’s Guardian has also published a Fact Sheet on their website. Additional resources regarding online safety can be found at https://www.esafety.gov.au/ 

Third parties and affiliated entities 

The Royal Commission recommended that agencies that 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 services to children and young people. It may also be relevant where the church engages in ministry or ministry partnerships overseas.  

ACNC External Conduct Standard 4

The ACNC External Conduct Standard 4 requires a charity (including a Basic Religious Charity) to take reasonable steps to protect vulnerable people that it works with when conducting operations overseas. This includes a church conducting short-term ministry overseas, overseas ministry partnerships, or sending a small amount of money overseas.   

Persons of Concern  

The Model Persons of Concern Policy is included with the Safe Church Package. This policy outlines the risk management process for known sex offenders and other persons of concern and the reasonable precautions requires to ensure safe ministry. In adopting and adhering to this policy 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. 

 * Recommendation 16.35 Royal Commission into Institutional Response to Child Sexual Abuse Final Report

 

Form: Child Safe Standard 8

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

Child Safe Standard 8

Physical and online environments minimise the opportunity for abuse or other kinds of harm to occur.

1. Does your church have guidelines for risk management that address both physical and online risks to children and young people?(Required)
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) and addressed any concerns?(Required)
3a. Does your church have a process for approving/authorising church activities and ensuring that no activities take place without appropriate approval?(Required)
4. Does your church commit to performing and documenting risk assessments for all ministry activities at least annually?(Required)
5. If the church has residential property that is identifiable with the church, have all regular adult residents provided Police Checks, and agreed to rules regarding their tenancy?(Required)
6. 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)(Required)
7a. 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)?(Required)
8. Do all associated entities who provide services to children (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?(Required)
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 promote the safety of children and young people?(Required)
10a. Has your church leadership adopted the Model Persons of Concern Policy to manage Persons of Concern in your congregation?(Required)
11a. NSW Churches(Required)
Do you ensure that any contractors (e.g. cleaners, tradespeople) that have contact with children (and could be considered to be engaged in Child-related Work have a valid WWCC AND that the church has verified this number online?
11b. ACT Churches(Required)
Do you ensure that any contractors (e.g. cleaners, tradespeople) that have contact with children (and could be considered to be engaged in Regulated Activities have a valid WWVP?