Revised due date for Child Safety Plans

Child Safety Plans for congregations are now due on 31 March 2023, after the LCANZ’s General Church Board (GCB) approved an extension to the original deadline of 20 September 2022.

In doing so, GCB acknowledged that the new deadline was required due to the delays in some congregations receiving the necessary resources. In particular, the online form for a Child Safety Plan was finalised later than intended, which would have made it difficult for many congregations to complete their plans in time to meet the September deadline.

Under LCA policy, all congregations are required to submit a Child Safety Plan to ensure they are meeting their legal, ethical and synodical obligations to be a child-safe congregation.

LCA Child Protection Project Officer Mary-Ann Carver also thanked congregations who have already submitted their plans, as well as those ‘who are currently working hard towards completion’.

‘We have been very encouraged by the calibre and commitment shown in some of the plans we have received’, she said. ‘This is indicative of the extent to which our church is genuinely committed to keeping our children safe.’

Contact your District Professional Standards Officer (see www.lca.org.au/psd for contact details) if you need help preparing your Child Safety Plan, or contact Mary-Ann Carver or Nicole Hall at the Churchwide Office at css@lca.org.au or on 08 8267 7300.