LCA Child Safety Standards for Congregations

Child safety is embedded in the culture, leadership, and governance of our congregation. Our congregation prioritises the safety and wellbeing of children and demonstrates this through all levels of its leadership. Our congregation has no tolerance for child abuse in any form.

Our congregation understands that children have the right to have a say, raise concerns, and be listened to. We take the views of children seriously, and we are committed to listening to children and to providing them with opportunities to participate and be heard. We work especially hard to help children raise concerns if they need to.

Our congregation works in partnership with families and carers to keep children safe. We are committed to keeping families informed, to listening to their concerns, and to helping them be involved in decisions that affect their children.

Our congregation recognises that children from diverse backgrounds have unique vulnerabilities and are more likely to be at risk, or experience abuse or neglect. We know this is particularly true for children from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds, children from refugee backgrounds, children from other cultural groups, children with disabilities, children who are diverse in their sexuality and gender, and children who are unable to live with their families. We appreciate that all children have the right to worship God and to participate freely and happily in our church community. With this in mind, we are committed to minimising the barriers that these children face as we work towards ensuring that our congregation is a safe and welcoming place for all God’s children.

Our leadership requires that all employees and volunteers who work with children, as well as our pastor(s) and other leaders are suitable, screened, supported, and monitored.

Our congregation has a reporting and complaints process that has a clear focus on child safety, is accessible to children and is clear regarding roles and responsibilities.

Our pastor(s), other leaders, employees, and volunteers participate in regular training that provides them with an understanding of the fundamentals of child abuse, the importance of ethical conduct, how to respond to concerns, and how to prioritise child safety in a congregational context.

Our pastor(s), other leaders, employees, and volunteers have the knowledge and skills to identify and reduce risks to children in relation to physical and online surroundings, church programs, activities and events, as well as church-related outings.

Our congregation is committed to implementing these standards and to making sure that progress is regularly reviewed.

The LCA has clear policies and procedures about child safety that help our people develop and maintain a safe environment for children.