Congregations encouraged to keep working for child safety

While the next round of Child Safe Plans is now not due until 2025, LCANZ Child Protection Project Officer Mary-Ann Carver has encouraged congregational leadership teams to keep working on their commitment to child safety.

‘We’ve had a few inquiries recently from congregations wanting to submit their next round of Child Safety Plans’, Mary-Ann said. ‘This is terrific because it tells us that congregations are actively reviewing their child safety progress and are keen to move forward with their child safety initiatives. Well done to those congregations who are on the front foot!

‘The good news is that there is no rush to formally submit a second Child Safety Plan. The General Church Board has recently approved a three-yearly cycle for the submission of Child Safety Plans. This change was put in place to give congregations time to genuinely focus on the preparation, implementation, and review of their Child Safety Plans.

‘But don’t back off in your commitment to child safety – instead, we strongly encourage all congregational leadership teams to continue to work towards completing all of the child safety commitments in their current plan.’

Mary-Ann said leadership teams might also wish to review their child safety progress during 2024 using the self-assessment process, either in full or in part. ‘This is a great way to gauge progress, identify gaps, and confirm areas of strength’, she said. ‘It is also a good way to prepare for Round 2 of formal submissions in 2025.’

The Child Safety Standards (CSS) team is currently evaluating Phase 1 of the implementation and reviewing the online tool based on feedback received. A new, revised and consolidated CSS online tool will be released later this year. In addition, new resources and revised CSS guidelines will also be made available. Updates, revisions and new links will be shared through the CSS webpage and LCA eNews.

Mary-Ann’s role finishes on 1 March this year, and the CSS program will move into the LCANZ’s Professional Standards department. However, CSS Implementation Officer Nicole Hall will continue to support, advise and answer questions for congregations, including assisting with the implementation of Child Safety Plans, alongside the District Professional Standards Officers (PSOs).

See the Child Safety Standards and Professional Standards webpages for contact details and more information.