For our ministry to be effective we need to incorporate safe and best practices in leadership, in our programs, our actions, our behaviours and within our facilities.
Called to Care promotes and assists the Uniting Church community with relevant information about ensuring a safe physical, emotional and spiritual environment for us all.
Called to Care orientation sessions are now being offered around the state. Key congregational office holders and key leaders will gather to explore what it means to create a safe community.
Called to Care is people centred when considering:
Pastoral care
Risk management for People and Property
Healthy governance
Up to date employment/volunteer practices
THROUGH THEIR EYES
Safe Environments- Through their Eyes:
This is the official South Australian Department for Human Services regulated course for mandated notifiers in accordance with the Children and Young People (Safety) Act 2017.
(This course has superseded the previous Child Safe Environments course / or formally known as Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect)
The Children and Young People (Safety) Act 2017 requires every person
to safeguard and promote the outcome that
children and young people be kept safe from harm.
Any person who is an employee of, or volunteer in, an organisation formed for religious or spiritual purposes (i.e. the church) are obliged by law to notify the Department for Child Protection if they suspect on reasonable grounds that a child/young person
is, or maybe, at risk;
and the suspicion is formed in the course of the person’s work (whether paid or voluntary) or in carrying out official duties.
Notification to the Child Abuse Report Line (13 14 78)
must be made as soon as practicable after the suspicion is formed.
Part of the church’s ongoing best practices is to provide training opportunities for people to understand their legal responsibility.
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Training “Safe Environments – Through their eyes”
The training course is the standard accredited package
and the trainers are all approved by the department to deliver this content.
Please note – this is not the Department for Education RHAN EC version of the course.
Full 1 day (7 modules) and ½ day Refresher sessions are delivered.
The training covers:
- Defines child “at risk” or “risk of harm”
- How to identify it
- Why, when and how to make a notification
- How to respond, support and protect a child or young person
Refresher training is also offered for those who have participated in training previously and it has been 3 years since last participating.
If you have not participated in a training session for a period greater than 4-5 years then attendance is recommended at the full course.
Length of full day: 7 modules, commencing at 9.30am and finishing by 5.00pm.
Participants are expected to attend the whole training session.
Scheduled breaks are provided for lunch, morning and afternoon tea.
Refreshers include a summary of the 7 modules and focus on current best practice issues. 3 hours with a refreshment break. Can be held on weekend and week nights.
Who should attend?
This is educative awareness training for anyone who has contact with children and vulnerable people.
E.g. Ministers, Leaders of Sunday School, Youth Group, Pastoral Carers / visitors, Crèche, Childcare, Playgroup, etc,.
The course is open to anyone who would like to understand their legal obligation. It is a requirement that those in placements/positions and in specified ministries/leadership roles will participate and complete training in this field once every three years.
Courses are conducted around the state and are either hosted by the Presbytery, Synod or by individual Congregations.
Okay, so I want to attend a course…
Check the Event Calendar for upcoming sessions.
Select the appropriate date and book and pay online. (All bookings must be done before the event)
Can our church host one?
Congregations are invited to host a course when they have a number of participants and then can open up the remaining places to others. If your congregation would like to do this, please contact the calledtocare@sa.uca.org.au to coordinate with dates and availability of trainers and associated costs.
Group size: minimum 12 – maximum 25 people.
POLITY AND ETHOS
NATIONAL UCA CHILD SAFE CURRICULUM
The National Safe Church Unit was created as part of the Uniting Church’s response to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. It is an expression of the whole of Church commitment to ensuring that all parts of the Uniting Church are places where all people can feel safe. This commitment spans ministry and mission contexts, including congregations, agencies, hospitals and schools.
The National Safe Church Unit works to provide the necessary resources and information to empower people across the life of the Church to grow and sustain a culture of safety.
Child Safe UCA
The National Safe Church Unit has developed a National Child Safe Curriculum in consultation with the National Education and Training Project Stakeholder Group. The Called to Care session in conjunction with Through Their Eyes encompasses the curriculum elements.
Education and training are a key part of achieving this and the National Principles for Education and Training (national principles) have been developed to guide the development, delivery and review of the education and training resources required.