Child Safety Plan Online Tool 1Instructions2Congregation/Parish Information3Standard 14Standard 25Standard 36Standard 47Standard 58Standard 69Standard 710Standard 811Standard 912Standard 1013Child Safety Plan Summary LCA Child Safety Standards for Congregations - Instructions for completing Child Safety PlanFor assistance, refer to the Child Safety Plan Guidelines document located on the Child Safety Plan Introduction page. Preamble The purpose of the LCA Child Safety Plan is to provide congregation and parish leadership councils with an accurate summary of: The congregation’s child safety status in relation to the LCA’s child safety standards and The congregation’s agreed child safety actions for the next 12 to 24 months Each page of the LCA Child Safety Standards for Congregations contains a standard followed by a series of statements. These statements represent the elements or indicators of each of the standards. There are 10 standards in total. To complete the on-line Child Safety Plan, the leadership team first need to consider information from the self-assessment and agree on a rating for each of the elements using the following scale: “We haven’t started on this yet” “We’ve made a promising start “We’re about halfway” “We’re almost there” and “Yes, we meet this!” The leadership team then needs to agree upon some “Next Steps” and finally, allocate persons responsible and time frames for making sure the agreed actions are completed. Instructions: Completion of the plan is very straight forward. The plan can either be finalised in one sitting or completed over a series of sittings using the “Save and Continue Later” button. It can be completed by anyone on the congregation/parish leadership team or their delegate. Users are advised that completion of this on-line form should only be commenced after the leadership team has considered the self-assessment information and after the leadership team has approved all aspects of the plan. This includes all designated ratings, actions, time frames, and delegated persons. Please note, that once the “Submit” button has been pressed, it is not possible to make changes. To complete the Child Safety Plan, please follow these simple steps: Fill in the “Congregation/Parish” information page. Complete the ratings for each element of each of the 10 standards by selecting the ratings that your leadership team has agreed upon. Fill in the boxes relating to “Agreed Next Steps”, “By Whom” and “By When” in the designated areas for each of the standards in accordance with the decisions made by the leadership team. Review the Child Safety Plan Summary PDF. Press the “Submit” button – the completed Child Safety Plan (as a PDF) will automatically be sent to your Chairperson. Your district Professional Standards Officer (PSO) will also receive a copy of the on-line version for district level collation. You don’t have to send it to your PSO separately. It’s that simple! Congregation or Parish(Required)Name, location, state (eg St John’s Blackstump NSW) District(Required)Select from the dropdown menuNSW and ACTQueenslandSouth Australia – Northern TerritoryVictoria – TasmaniaWestern AustraliaPastor(s)(Required)If your congregation or parish is vacant, type Vacant in this field. Congregation or Parish Council Chairperson(Required) Chairperson’s Email Address(Required)This is the address to which your submission receipt and summary PDF will be sent. Pastor's Email AddressIf vacant, please leave blank Secretary's Email AddressIf vacant, please leave blank Date approved by Congregation/Parish Leadership or Council(Required) DD slash MM slash YYYY 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. Please use the following ratings for the questions below:1 – We haven’t started on this element yet 2 – We have made a promising start 3 – We’re about halfway 4 – We’re nearly there 5 – Yes, we meet this element!1.1 - Our “Statement of Commitment to Child Safety” is displayed within our congregation spaces and is communicated using various means to our community1.1 - Is this standard met?(Required) 1 2 3 4 5 1.2 - Our pastor(s) and other leaders model a child safe culture by acknowledging the vulnerabilities of children and reminding us of our shared responsibility to keep children safe1.2 - Is this standard met?(Required) 1 2 3 4 5 1.3 - Our pastor(s) and other leaders communicate important messages about child safety to our congregation1.3 - Is this standard met?(Required) 1 2 3 4 5 1.4 - Our leadership understands that child safety must be prioritised in decision making when child safety concerns are raised 1.4 - Is this standard met?(Required) 1 2 3 4 5 1.5 - Our pastor(s) and other leaders understand their legal responsibilities, are aware of the required steps, and know who to contact and report to if there is a child safety concern1.5 - Is this standard met?(Required) 1 2 3 4 5 1.6 - Everyone at our congregation displays appropriate behaviours when interacting with children1.6 - Is this standard met?(Required) 1 2 3 4 5 1.7 - Our leadership team encourages employees and volunteers to raise questions or concerns about child safety 1.7 - Is this standard met?(Required) 1 2 3 4 5 OVERALL RATING FOR CHILD SAFETY STANDARD 1Next Steps Step 1Action(Required) By whom(Required) By when(Required) DD slash MM slash YYYY Step 2Action By whom By when DD slash MM slash YYYY Step 3Action By whom By when DD slash MM slash YYYY Step 4Action By whom By when DD slash MM slash YYYY Step 5Action By whom By when DD slash MM slash YYYY Our congregation takes the views of children seriously. 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. Please use the following ratings for the questions below:1 – We haven’t started on this element yet 2 – We have made a promising start 3 – We’re about halfway 4 – We’re nearly there 5 – Yes, we meet this element!2.1 - Our pastor(s), other leaders, employees, and volunteers acknowledge children during worship and other activities and show children that they are valued and loved by including them in worship and prayer2.1 - Is this standard met?(Required) 1 2 3 4 5 2.2 - Our pastor(s), other leaders, employees, and volunteers value the opinion of children by asking them about what helps to make them feel safe and comfortable2.2 - Is this standard met?(Required) 1 2 3 4 5 2.3 - Our congregation helps children develop and strengthen their church friendships2.3 - Is this standard met?(Required) 1 2 3 4 5 2.4 - Our congregation spaces display child friendly information that encourages children to speak up if they have a concern, and children know who they can talk to if they need support2.4 - Is this standard met?(Required) 1 2 3 4 5 2.5 - Our pastor(s), other leaders, employees, and volunteers know to listen to children and to take them seriously if they raise a concern or are worried about something.2.5 - Is this standard met?(Required) 1 2 3 4 5 2.6 - Our pastor(s), other leaders, employees, and volunteers understand that some children have additional needs and require extra support to help them engage in church activities or raise concerns if they need to.2.6 - Is this standard met?(Required) 1 2 3 4 5 OVERALL RATING FOR CHILD SAFETY STANDARD 2Next Steps Step 1Action(Required) By whom(Required) By when(Required) DD slash MM slash YYYY Next Steps Step 2Action By whom By when DD slash MM slash YYYY Next Steps Step 3Action By whom By when DD slash MM slash YYYY Next Steps Step 4Action By whom By when DD slash MM slash YYYY Next Steps Step 5Action By whom By when DD slash MM slash YYYY 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. Please use the following ratings for the questions below:1 – We haven’t started on this element yet 2 – We have made a promising start 3 – We’re about halfway 4 – We’re nearly there 5 – Yes, we meet this element!3.1 - Our leadership advises parents that we take their children’s safety and well-being seriously3.1 - Is this standard met?(Required) 1 2 3 4 5 3.2 - Our pastor(s), other leaders, employees, and volunteers talk to parents and carers about their children’s wellbeing and safety and keep them informed about how we keep their children safe3.2 - Is this standard met?(Required) 1 2 3 4 5 3.3 - Our LCA child safety related policies, procedures and resources are accessible for parent and carers3.3 - Is this standard met?(Required) 1 2 3 4 5 3.4 - We remind parents and carers that they can raise concerns with us at any time, we make sure that parents and carers know who they can talk to if they have a complaint, and we make sure to listen and respond when concerns are raised3.4 - Is this standard met?(Required) 1 2 3 4 5 3.5 - Our leadership reminds parents and carers that families also have responsibility for keeping their children safe while they are engaged in congregational activities3.5 - Is this standard met?(Required) 1 2 3 4 5 3.6 - We invite parents and carers to contribute to activity planning and decision-making which relates to their children3.6 - Is this standard met?(Required) 1 2 3 4 5 3.7 - We seek feedback from parents and carers about child safety in our congregation using a range of methods3.7 - Is this standard met?(Required) 1 2 3 4 5 OVERALL RATING FOR CHILD SAFETY STANDARD 3Next Steps Step 1Action(Required) By whom(Required) By when(Required) DD slash MM slash YYYY Next Steps Step 2Action By whom By when DD slash MM slash YYYY Next Steps Step 3Action By whom By when DD slash MM slash YYYY Next Steps Step 4Action By whom By when DD slash MM slash YYYY Next Steps Step 5Action By whom By when DD slash MM slash YYYY Our congregation recognises that children from diverse backgrounds have unique vulnerabilities and are more likely to be at risk or experience abuse and neglect. We know this is particularly true for children from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds, children from refugee backgrounds, children from other diverse cultural groups, children with disabilities 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 of God’s children. Please use the following ratings for the questions below:1 – We haven’t started on this element yet 2 – We have made a promising start 3 – We’re about halfway 4 – We’re nearly there 5 – Yes, we meet this element!4.1 - Our pastor(s) and other leaders communicate to our congregation that children from diverse backgrounds and with diverse needs have the right to worship in the same way as all God’s children4.1 - Is this standard met?(Required) 1 2 3 4 5 4.2 - Our leadership promotes cultural understanding and inclusivity that reflects our wider community4.2 - Is this standard met?(Required) 1 2 3 4 5 4.3 - Our congregation actively encourages children and families from different cultural groups and backgrounds to participate in worship and church activities4.3 - Is this standard met?(Required) 1 2 3 4 5 4.4 - Our pastor(s), other leaders, employees, and volunteers understand that children with special needs or children from diverse backgrounds find it harder to raise to concerns or make report4.4 - Is this standard met?(Required) 1 2 3 4 5 4.5 - Our pastor(s), other leaders, employees, and volunteers work hard to identify and then reduce barriers faced by children with diverse needs to help them participate and raise concerns if they need to4.5 - Is this standard met?(Required) 1 2 3 4 5 OVERALL RATING FOR CHILD SAFETY STANDARD 4Next Steps Step 1Action(Required) By whom(Required) By when(Required) DD slash MM slash YYYY Next Steps Step 2Action By whom By when DD slash MM slash YYYY Next Steps Step 3Action By whom By when DD slash MM slash YYYY Next Steps Step 4Action By whom By when DD slash MM slash YYYY Next Steps Step 5Action By whom By when DD slash MM slash YYYY Our congregation ensures that our employees and volunteers with designated roles that involve working with children as well as our pastor(s) and leadership team are suitable, safe, well-informed, and supported. Please use the following ratings for the questions below:1 – We haven’t started on this element yet 2 – We have made a promising start 3 – We’re about halfway 4 – We’re nearly there 5 – Yes, we meet this element!5.1 - Our pastor(s), other leaders, employees, and volunteers have current and valid working with children type clearances5.1 - Is this standard met?(Required) 1 2 3 4 5 5.2 - Our leadership makes it clear that work with children cannot commence without a current and valid clearance5.2 - Is this standard met?(Required) 1 2 3 4 5 5.3 - Our screening compliance is reported to our church council at regular intervals5.3 - Is this standard met?(Required) 1 2 3 4 5 5.4 - Our leadership has a system to keep track of dates for screening renewals5.4 - Is this standard met?(Required) 1 2 3 4 5 5.5 - Our leadership requires us to follow LCA procedures when recruiting an employee or volunteer for roles with children, including contacting referees, even when the prospective employee or volunteer is well known to us5.5 - Is this standard met?(Required) 1 2 3 4 5 5.6 - Our leadership ensures all leadership members, employees, and volunteers have clear role descriptions which include requirements to follow LCA policies and procedures and also make reference to child safety requirements5.6 - Is this standard met?(Required) 1 2 3 4 5 5.7 - Our pastor(s), other leaders, employees, and volunteers understand and uphold the obligations outlined in the LCA Child Safety Code of Conduct and the LCA Standards of Ethical Behaviour5.7 - Is this standard met?(Required) 1 2 3 4 5 5.8 - Our church council maintains accurate and confidential records of recruitment processes for all leadership, employee, and volunteer appointments5.8 - Is this standard met?(Required) 1 2 3 4 5 OVERALL RATING FOR CHILD SAFETY STANDARD 5Next Steps Step 1Action(Required) By whom(Required) By when(Required) DD slash MM slash YYYY Next Steps Step 2Action By whom By when DD slash MM slash YYYY Next Steps Step 3Action By whom By when DD slash MM slash YYYY Next Steps Step 4Action By whom By when DD slash MM slash YYYY Next Steps Step 5Action By whom By when DD slash MM slash YYYY Our congregation has a reporting and complaints process which has a clear focus on child safety, is accessible to children and is clear regarding roles and responsibilities. Please use the following ratings for the questions below:1 – We haven’t started on this element yet 2 – We have made a promising start 3 – We’re about halfway 4 – We’re nearly there 5 – Yes, we meet this element!6.1 - Our pastor(s), other leaders, employees and volunteers who engage with children understand their respective roles and legal responsibilities regarding mandatory reporting, reportable conduct, and failure to report6.1 - Is this standard met?(Required) 1 2 3 4 5 6.2 - Processes for reporting abuse of a child, a child at risk, or grooming of a child are displayed within our congregation spaces and are accessible to everyone6.2 - Is this standard met?(Required) 1 2 3 4 5 6.3 - Child-friendly versions for reporting abuse of a child, a child at risk, or grooming of a child are also displayed6.3 - Is this standard met?(Required) 1 2 3 4 5 6.4 - Children in our congregation are provided with a variety of ways to make complaints, raise concerns, or give feedback6.4 - Is this standard met?(Required) 1 2 3 4 5 6.5 - Our pastors and other leaders know to support our employees and volunteers in making reports if they reasonably suspect a child is at risk or has been harmed6.5 - Is this standard met?(Required) 1 2 3 4 5 6.6 - In situations where child safety concerns are raised in relation to a member of our congregation, our leadership understands its responsibilities to report to the LCA Professional Standards Department and to follow the relevant LCA policies and procedures6.6 - Is this standard met?(Required) 1 2 3 4 5 6.7 - Our leadership maintains accurate, confidential, and secure records of all complaints and child safety concerns6.7 - Is this standard met?(Required) 1 2 3 4 5 6.8 - All complaints and reports relating to child safety concerns are taken seriously by our leadership, managed promptly, and all parties treated respectfully6.8 - Is this standard met?(Required) 1 2 3 4 5 OVERALL RATING FOR CHILD SAFETY STANDARD 6Next Steps Step 1Action(Required) By whom(Required) By when(Required) DD slash MM slash YYYY Next Steps Step 2Action By whom By when DD slash MM slash YYYY Next Steps Step 3Action By whom By when DD slash MM slash YYYY Next Steps Step 4Action By whom By when DD slash MM slash YYYY Next Steps Step 5Action By whom By when DD slash MM slash YYYY Our pastor, 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 the congregational context. Please use the following ratings for the questions below:1 – We haven’t started on this element yet 2 – We have made a promising start 3 – We’re about halfway 4 – We’re nearly there 5 – Yes, we meet this element!7.1 - Our pastor(s), other leaders and all employees and volunteers who engage with children are compliant with the LCA Safe Church Training requirements 7.1 - Is this standard met?(Required) 1 2 3 4 5 7.2 - Compliance with the requirements of Safe Church Training is regularly reported to our leadership7.2 - Is this standard met?(Required) 1 2 3 4 5 7.3 - Our congregation has a system in place to remind our pastor(s), other leaders, employees, and volunteers when Safe Church Training is due7.3 - Is this standard met?(Required) 1 2 3 4 5 7.4 - Our pastor, other leaders and all employees, and volunteers who engage with children have a thorough understanding of child abuse and its indicators (including grooming), child safety risk assessment and risk management, reporting responsibilities, how to respond to disclosures of abuse, and the characteristics of institutional abuse7.4 - Is this standard met?(Required) 1 2 3 4 5 7.5 - Our leadership supports our pastor(s), other leaders, employees, and volunteers to undertake further child safety training as appropriate7.5 - Is this standard met?(Required) 1 2 3 4 5 OVERALL RATING FOR CHILD SAFETY STANDARD 7Next Steps Step 1Action(Required) By whom(Required) By when(Required) DD slash MM slash YYYY Next Steps Step 2Action By whom By when DD slash MM slash YYYY Next Steps Step 3Action By whom By when DD slash MM slash YYYY Next Steps Step 4Action By whom By when DD slash MM slash YYYY Next Steps Step 5Action By whom By when DD slash MM slash YYYY 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 on-line surroundings, church activities and church-related outings. Please use the following ratings for the questions below:1 – We haven’t started on this element yet 2 – We have made a promising start 3 – We’re about halfway 4 – We’re nearly there 5 – Yes, we meet this element!8.1 - All congregation activities involving children are carefully risk-managed using child safety risk management processes8.1 - Is this standard met?(Required) 1 2 3 4 5 8.2 - Our leadership, pastor(s) and relevant employees and volunteers know how to mitigate identified risks to children and will cancel church activities if risks cannot be safely reduced8.2 - Is this standard met?(Required) 1 2 3 4 5 8.3 - Our leadership, pastor(s), and relevant employees and volunteers know to cancel activities if risks to children cannot be adequately reduced 8.3 - Is this standard met?(Required) 1 2 3 4 5 8.4 - We regularly review our church’s physical spaces and reduce identified risks to children8.4 - Is this standard met?(Required) 1 2 3 4 5 8.5 - Our leadership provides clear information to our pastor(s), other leaders, employees, volunteers, children and families about appropriate and safe online engagement with children as appropriate 8.5 - Is this standard met?(Required) 1 2 3 4 5 OVERALL RATING FOR CHILD SAFETY STANDARD 8Next Steps Step 1Action(Required) By whom(Required) By when(Required) DD slash MM slash YYYY Next Steps Step 2Action By whom By when DD slash MM slash YYYY Next Steps Step 3Action By whom By when DD slash MM slash YYYY Next Steps Step 4Action By whom By when DD slash MM slash YYYY Next Steps Step 5Action By whom By when DD slash MM slash YYYY Our congregation is committed to implementing these standards and to making sure that our child safety progress is regularly reviewed. Please use the following ratings for the questions below:1 – We haven’t started on this element yet 2 – We have made a promising start 3 – We’re about halfway 4 – We’re nearly there 5 – Yes, we meet this element!9.1 - Child safety is on the agenda for all our local church council meetings, including the Annual General Meeting9.1 - Is this standard met?(Required) 1 2 3 4 5 9.2 - The church council ensures that a self-assessment of our congregation’s child-safety progress occurs once a year9.2 - Is this standard met?(Required) 1 2 3 4 5 9.3 - Our church leadership oversees the preparation of a Child Safety Plan each year using information from the self-assessment9.3 - Is this standard met?(Required) 1 2 3 4 5 9.4 - Our church leadership oversees implementation of the Child Safety Plan and regularly reviews progress9.4 - Is this standard met?(Required) 1 2 3 4 5 9.5 - Each year we submit our Child Safety Plan to the district’s Professional Standards Officer for collation9.5 - Is this standard met?(Required) 1 2 3 4 5 OVERALL RATING FOR CHILD SAFETY STANDARD 9Next Steps Step 1Action(Required) By whom(Required) By when(Required) DD slash MM slash YYYY Next Steps Step 2Action By whom By when DD slash MM slash YYYY Next Steps Step 3Action By whom By when DD slash MM slash YYYY Next Steps Step 4Action By whom By when DD slash MM slash YYYY Next Steps Step 5Action By whom By when DD slash MM slash YYYY The Church has clear policies and procedures about child safety that help our people develop and maintain a safe environment for children. Please use the following ratings for the questions below:1 – We haven’t started on this element yet 2 – We have made a promising start 3 – We’re about halfway 4 – We’re nearly there 5 – Yes, we meet this element!10.1 - Our leadership follows LCA policies and procedures that relate to child safety10.1 - Is this standard met?(Required) 1 2 3 4 5 10.2 - LCA policies and procedures that relate to child safety are accessible for children, families, pastor(s), other leaders, employees, and volunteers10.2 - Is this standard met?(Required) 1 2 3 4 5 10.3 - Our leadership encourages children and families to provide feedback regarding the implementation of our child safety policies and procedures10.3 - Is this standard met?(Required) 1 2 3 4 5 10.4 - Our church leadership analyses complaints, concerns, and safety incidents to help us improve10.4 - Is this standard met?(Required) 1 2 3 4 5 OVERALL RATING FOR CHILD SAFETY STANDARD 10Next Steps Step 1Action(Required) By whom(Required) By when(Required) DD slash MM slash YYYY Next Steps Step 2Action By whom By when DD slash MM slash YYYY Next Steps Step 3Action By whom By when DD slash MM slash YYYY Next Steps Step 4Action By whom By when DD slash MM slash YYYY Next Steps Step 5Action By whom By when DD slash MM slash YYYY Preview Child Safety Plan Once you have reviewed the Child Safety Plan, select the Submit button below. Once the Submit button has been selected, no further changes can be made.
