SECTION 1 – SAFE CHURCH POLICY STATEMENTS
Menai Baptist Church is committed to providing places, services and programs that promote physical, emotional and spiritual health and safety, and model the love of Christ to all we have contact with, particularly children, young people and vulnerable adults.
SECTION 2 – SAFE CHURCH GOVERNANCE
Menai Baptist Church is committed to upholding the Child Safe Standards identified by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. The NSW Office of Children’s Guardian (NSWOCG) has introduced legislation to make the Child Safe Standards mandatory for organisations that provide services to children. NSWOCG has indicated that compliance with the Child Safe Standards will be mandatory for any organisation where at least one worker is required to hold a Working with Children Check.
SECTION 3 – STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS
The Procedure for Staff and Volunteers sets out a procedure for the thorough recruitment, screening, training and resourcing of all staff and volunteers, particularly those engaged in Child-related Work (within the meaning of the WWCC Legislation).
SECTION 4 – CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE
Procedures and systems help staff and volunteers to maintain accountability with the leadership, with the wider church and community, and with parents of children placed in their care. While sometimes cumbersome and time consuming, documenting and practical procedures are vital for holding us all accountable.
SECTION 5 – SAFE CHURCH PROCEDURES
Menai Baptist Church has both a legal and moral responsibility to undertake Risk Assessments by identifying potential risks, assessing the likelihood and severity of the risk, and managing the procedures and environment to minimise the risk to all concerned.
The Procedure for Conflict Resolution sets out a procedure for resolving conflict between two or more staff, volunteers, members or attendees of the Church in a pastoral and restorative manner, rather than through a formal complaint handling procedure. Should anyone need to report a concern please use the Safe Church Concerns Form