Safe Church E News- September 2021

Principle 5 Recruiting and Support I remember the first time I attended a Called to Care program, one of the take home messages that struck me was to not put someone in a leadership or volunteer position for at least six months. It sparked debate in the workshop, because people were of the opinion ‘If…

National Child Protection Week 2021

National Child Protection Week is a campaign occurring annually across Australia to raise awareness of child abuse prevention. Concern for the safety and well-being of all, including children and young people, is part of our call to universally respect and value people. UCAs National Safe Church Unit works in partnership with Synods and the Assembly…

Safe Church E News- August 2021

Principles of a Child Safe Church: No 4  Diversity is Respected and Equity is Promoted. For those who are following the gospel lectionary readings we are soon coming to the central section of Mark’s gospel. There we see the disciples constant misunderstanding of who Jesus is and the nature of the reign of God. In…

Safe Church E News – July 2021

Many of you will be aware that we have been alerting people to a national UCA Child Safe Program that would be available online. This has been in response to the Royal Commission on Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse Commissioner’s expectation that we would have a consistent national approach to protecting children. The program…

Safe Church E News – June 2021

The National Safe Church Unit has designated June as National Safe Church month. One of the ways we are responding to this is by launching our Synod’s annual Safe Church Audit for congregations. This is our third audit and provides helpful information for Placements and Safe Church, the wider Synod and presbyteries. It also helps…

Safe Church UC Enews – May 2021

Last month we talked about Principle 2 which was all about listening to children and helping them to participate in decisions that affect them. The third principle relates to families and communities, as adapted by the National Safe Church Unit of the UCA it reads: Families and communities are informed and involved in promoting child…

Safe Church UC Enews – April 2021

This month we continue our series on the Principles of a Child Safe Uniting Church with principle 2: Children and young people are informed about their rights, participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously. I can imagine some leaders groaning when they read this one. Another layer added to our already complex tasks.…

Safe Church UC Enews – March 2021

Last month we introduced the Ten Principles for a Child Safe Church and this time we are focussing on Principle Number 1, which in the Uniting Church adaptation of the model reads, ‘Child safety and well-being is embedded in organisational leadership, governance and culture’. Clearly this is an overarching principle into which the other principles…

Safe Church UC Enews – February 2021

The Royal Commission on Institutional Responses to Child Abuse developed National Principles for a Child Safe Organisation. The principles and resources can be found at this link. The principles are intended to help organisations that work with children to embed a child-safe culture and to develop their capacity to provide an environment where children can grow…

Safe Church UC Enews – December 2020

It is that time of year when people review the last year. Best books of 2020, best films, best albums and so on. Of course 2020 is going to be a year reviewed like few others. It will be interesting to read the reflections of Church Leaders. One of the consistent discussion points is likely…