Registers and Blue Cards

New laws start on 5 July 2021 which target behaviour that ignores or hides the sexual abuse of children. New laws mean:
• all adults must report sexual offending against children to the police unless they have a reasonable excuse
• adults in an institutional setting (e.g. a school, church or sporting club) must protect children from the risk of a sexual offence being committed against them.
The Mandatory reporting process for Ministry Agents provides guidelines for reporting incidents of abuse, or suspected abuse or neglect. A copy of the mandatory reporting process is available on the synod website. The Mandatory reporting process for Lay Workers, Lay Preachers and Volunteers provides guidelines for reporting incidents of abuse, or suspected abuse or neglect. A copy of the mandatory reporting process is also available on the synod website.

All records must be collected, used and stored in accordance with the Synod privacy policy.

It is a legal requirement in Queensland that a blue card register is kept which contains details of all paid employees and volunteers involved in providing child-related activities.

Templates and tools are provided to assist you to maintain records about attendees, workers and volunteers, their blue cards, and activities.

Resources

Links

Report Abuse

Initial contact.

Contact us

For all Safe Ministry with Children enquiries, please feel welcome to contact us.

Annual audit survey: new resources

Each year, the General Secretary asks each presbytery to gather information from congregations to demonstrate compliance with their obligations to provide a safe environment for the children they are ministering to. Obligations include:
  • all church councils formally adopt the Safe Ministry with Children policy annually and comply with the requirement of the Act and Regulation for a ‘Child and Youth Risk Management Strategy’.
  • A council resolution be made if the congregation determines not to conduct child related activity.
  • All people working with children are screened, trained, sign a statement of personal commitment to child safety and be approved by the church council before commencing. This screening includes interviews, referee checks and linking of blue cards.
Some new resources have been developed to assist congregations and presbyteries to gather this information. A model minutes template for church councils and presbyteries, as well as a template for church councils to make a resolution to not undertake child-related activities have been provided. A resource has also been developed, which includes a list of the information required in a register of volunteers.

Complaints and allegations

Sometimes you may be the recipient of complaints or comments. Complaints or comments may be about suspected abuse or harm, inappropriate behaviours of other staff or volunteers, or concerns about the church premises. It is important for issues to be addressed and for relevant information (no matter how large or small) to be evaluated and acted on.

You may also need to make a report to Workplace Health and Safety, or if you are not sure, contact them for advice, via the link on this page.

Resources

Links

Choosing leaders and helpers

One of the best ways to create a safe church is selecting, screening and training people who will be entrusted with positions involving children. Once people are appointed to work with children in congregations, it is important that they receive support and encouragement. We recommend that this occurs soon after they commence and annually. Leaders and helpers should be acknowledged and supported by the congregation and commissioned each year.

Resources

Training

Prior to commencing working with children, it is a requirement for all Lay Workers (volunteers, helpers, leaders, and lay preachers) to complete mandatory training – Safe Ministry with Children for Lay Workers.

Once people are appointed to work with children in congregations, it is important that they receive support and encouragement. Lay Workers are required to attend Safe Ministry with Children training every two years.

Resources

Links

Safe Ministry Document Library

Workplace Health and Safety

Synod Wide Policies