Introduction
1. Disciples Church Springfield is committed to providing a child-safe and child- friendly environment.
2. Disciples Church Springfield adopts the ChildSafe Safety Management System (ChildSafe SMS) and is committed to sound implementation of it. This policy is intended to help Disciples Church Springfield achieve this.
3. ChildSafe SMS consists of standards, procedures, roles, documentation, accountability, training, risk assessment, appointment screening, people management and emergency response planning in a safety system of ‘safe people, safe programs and safe places’.
4. This policy must be followed by every person involved in children's or youth ministry in Disciples Church. A ministry is any activity authorised by Disciples Church.
5. For the purpose of this policy a child is a person under the age of 18 years.
2. Disciples Church Springfield adopts the ChildSafe Safety Management System (ChildSafe SMS) and is committed to sound implementation of it. This policy is intended to help Disciples Church Springfield achieve this.
3. ChildSafe SMS consists of standards, procedures, roles, documentation, accountability, training, risk assessment, appointment screening, people management and emergency response planning in a safety system of ‘safe people, safe programs and safe places’.
4. This policy must be followed by every person involved in children's or youth ministry in Disciples Church. A ministry is any activity authorised by Disciples Church.
5. For the purpose of this policy a child is a person under the age of 18 years.
The People Responsible
6. The Elder Board of Disciples Church Springfield accepts ultimate responsibility for ensuring Disciples Church is a child safe organisation.
7. The Elder Board of Disciples Church Springfield appoints David Machin as Risk Management Officer (‘RMO’). The RMO is responsible for overseeing the integration of ChildSafe SMS into Disciples Church as a whole and reporting quarterly to the Elder Board on this.
8. The Child Safety Coordinator (‘Coordinator’) in Disciples Church is Emily Oliver. The Coordinator is responsible for ensuring the implementation of ChildSafe SMS and reporting monthly to the RMO on this.
9. Team Leaders are the volunteers in Disciples Church who are appointed to recognised positions in Church ministries or who are responsible for Team Members and participants in those ministries.
10. Team Members are volunteers who are invited by Team Leaders to assist them in their ministry.
7. The Elder Board of Disciples Church Springfield appoints David Machin as Risk Management Officer (‘RMO’). The RMO is responsible for overseeing the integration of ChildSafe SMS into Disciples Church as a whole and reporting quarterly to the Elder Board on this.
8. The Child Safety Coordinator (‘Coordinator’) in Disciples Church is Emily Oliver. The Coordinator is responsible for ensuring the implementation of ChildSafe SMS and reporting monthly to the RMO on this.
9. Team Leaders are the volunteers in Disciples Church who are appointed to recognised positions in Church ministries or who are responsible for Team Members and participants in those ministries.
10. Team Members are volunteers who are invited by Team Leaders to assist them in their ministry.
Appointment Screening
11. A person who wishes to serve in any ministry position listed in Item 2 of Schedule 1 must first go through the following Appointment Procedure:
12. A person who has been charged with a disqualifying offence (whether convicted or not) cannot be involved in child-related programs or work in immediate proximity to child- related programs.
13. Blue Card holders are required to contact Blue Card Services to report changes in their police information and receive a determination as to their status. Any changes must then be communicated to the Coordinator.
14. The Coordinator must maintain an appointment register of volunteers serving in children’s and youth ministries. Appointments must be renewed every three years.
- Be a member of Disciples Church
- Complete an appointment agreement
- Be a current Queensland Blue Card holder linked to Disciples Church
- Provide two references: one from their Missional Community Group leader and the second from a person who has known the applicant for more than 12 months
- Complete relevant training
- Agree to a standard of conduct as described in relevant policies
12. A person who has been charged with a disqualifying offence (whether convicted or not) cannot be involved in child-related programs or work in immediate proximity to child- related programs.
13. Blue Card holders are required to contact Blue Card Services to report changes in their police information and receive a determination as to their status. Any changes must then be communicated to the Coordinator.
14. The Coordinator must maintain an appointment register of volunteers serving in children’s and youth ministries. Appointments must be renewed every three years.
Training Procedure
15. The RMO, Coordinator, Team Leaders and Team Members must be trained in accordance with the relevant training schedule provided by ChildSafe.
16. The Coordinator must maintain a training register. Retraining must be completed every 3 years.
17. Additional face-to-face training for Team Members and Team Leaders will be as arranged by the Coordinator.
16. The Coordinator must maintain a training register. Retraining must be completed every 3 years.
17. Additional face-to-face training for Team Members and Team Leaders will be as arranged by the Coordinator.
Accountability
18. A Ministry Team cannot go ahead with an activity unless ‘Permission- to-Proceed’ has been granted by the Coordinator using the ChildSafe SMS Permission to Proceed Procedure. This is a critical, foundational principle for all ministries at Disciples Church.
General Rules For Conduct
19. Every person involved in ministry at Disciples Church must treat the safety and care of children and vulnerable people as paramount.
20. Disciples Church Springfield adopts the ChildSafe Code of Practice. Each person involved in ministry in Disciples Church, including every Team Member, Team Leader and Coordinator, must comply with the Code of Practice. Failure to do so may result in discipline under the Discipline Procedure outlined in Section 16.2 of the Constitution of Disciples Church Springfield.
21. The only person authorised to speak to the media in relation to any Disciples Church ministry is the Lead Pastor. No other person should speak to the media.
20. Disciples Church Springfield adopts the ChildSafe Code of Practice. Each person involved in ministry in Disciples Church, including every Team Member, Team Leader and Coordinator, must comply with the Code of Practice. Failure to do so may result in discipline under the Discipline Procedure outlined in Section 16.2 of the Constitution of Disciples Church Springfield.
21. The only person authorised to speak to the media in relation to any Disciples Church ministry is the Lead Pastor. No other person should speak to the media.
Incident Reporting and Complaint Procedure
22. Allegations of abuse are profoundly serious and require a high degree of care when handling. Children should be believed and at all stages the primary goal must be the best interest of the child.
23. Incidents, suspicions of abuse, disclosures and complaints must all be reported and acted upon as soon as possible, in accordance with the Reporting and Complaints Policy and the Harm and Abuse Response Policy. Steps must be taken to ensure the safety of children once any concerns are raised.
23. Incidents, suspicions of abuse, disclosures and complaints must all be reported and acted upon as soon as possible, in accordance with the Reporting and Complaints Policy and the Harm and Abuse Response Policy. Steps must be taken to ensure the safety of children once any concerns are raised.
Record-keeping
24. Information and documents that contain personal information must be stored confidentially and securely in accordance with the Disciples Church Privacy Policy.
25. The procedures and other documents that will be used by Disciples Church to implement this policy are set out in Items 3 and 4 of Schedule 1.
26. This policy must be reviewed and updated annually. The person responsible for this is the RMO.
27. This policy was last updated in November 2023.
25. The procedures and other documents that will be used by Disciples Church to implement this policy are set out in Items 3 and 4 of Schedule 1.
26. This policy must be reviewed and updated annually. The person responsible for this is the RMO.
27. This policy was last updated in November 2023.