PLEASE SAVE THIS FORM NOW TO CREATE A NEW LINK TO YOUR CHILD SAFETY STANDARDS ACTION PLAN. The previous link will no longer work. Have the new link emailed to you directly and share it with the person nominated to complete the plan for your congregation. For assistance, refer to the Guidelines for Self-Assessment and Child Safety Standards Action Plans document and instructional videos located on the Child Safety Standards page.

Completing the Child Safety Standards Action Plan

All of the ratings and proposed actions from your congregation's Self-Assessment will automatically pre-fill this form. Once the council has been presented the Self-Assessment and had a chance to reflect and respond, return to this form to complete and submit the Child Safety Standards Action Plan for your congregation.

1. Accept or change the rating for each element:

• Carefully re-read each standard, each of its elements, and your notes from your discussions.
• If, as a council, you feel that your assessor missed some information that may have affected the rating they have given, you may adjust the rating.
• Firstly, select either 'Yes' or 'No' to approving the assessor's rating.
• If you select 'No', a new option will appear to submit a revised rating for any elements that the council may like to adjust.

• Don’t be worried about giving a 'low' rating. It is important to be honest because your final Child Safety Standards Action Plan should accurately represent how safe your congregation might be for children.

2. Finalise all actions.

• Consider the actions; these were suggestions from your assessor. This section is important because it shows the awareness the council have of their responsibility and their commitment to safety. It shows the work they see needs to be done to make improvements or the work that needs to continue to be done to maintain safety.
• In developing your actions, focus on those statements where the rating is low or lowish, i.e.:

1. 'We haven’t started on this yet.'
2. 'We’ve made a promising start.'
3. 'We’re about halfway.'

• This is because these are likely to be the areas of child safety risk for your congregation.
• Then identify strategies or activities that the congregation could put in place to reduce the risk, improve the rating, and meet the standard.
• Your assessor will have made some suggestions, but councils should be prepared to improve on the wording, add additional actions and really consider what needs to be done.
• Suggest as many or as few actions as needed. It is okay to identify only one or two strategies for some of the standards, while for others, you may wish to make a number of suggestions.
• Remember, there are no limits to the actions you have, and you have three years to put them in place.
• Try to keep your actions simple and achievable.
• Also remember to try and focus on the areas of priority – don’t overlook these.
• This is also the time to consider who is the best person to ensure the action will happen and add a date for when you expect the work to be completed.
• This helps a plan become a reality.
• Once all these details are completed and the council is happy with the final plan, you can hit the 'Submit' button.
• Your completed Child Safety Standards Action Plan will then be automatically delivered to your chair via email (this is because you will have provided your chair's email address in the opening pages of the Self-Assessment).
• Remember that once you have submitted it, it is not possible to make changes in the online portal. Subsequent changes can be made in your council minutes.
• As a final point, don’t forget to download and print out the PDF version of your Child Safety Standards Action Plan so that you have the information available at council meetings.
• You’ll find your downloadable PDF on the last page of the tool. It is also emailed to your council chair. Congratulations, your submission is now complete!

Completing Step2 - Finalising the Child Safety Standards Action Plan

PLEASE SAVE THIS FORM NOW TO CREATE A NEW LINK TO YOUR CHILD SAFETY STANDARDS ACTION PLAN. The previous link will no longer work. Have the new link emailed to you directly and share it with the person nominated to complete the plan for your congregation. For assistance, refer to the Guidelines for Self-Assessment and Child Safety Standards Action Plans document and instructional videos located on the Child Safety Standards page.

Please note that all fields must be completed.

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 pastor(s) and other leaders understand that they have a legal duty of care and a duty to protect children, and that they also have related reporting obligations.

They review and clarify their legal responsibilities at leadership meetings, at least once a year.

1.2 - Our pastor(s) and other leaders advise all newly appointed leaders of their child safety responsibilities, before the leaders commence their duties.

Our pastor(s) and other leaders also provide child safety resources that help the new leaders to fulfil their responsibilities.

1.3 - Our pastor(s) and other leaders prioritise the physical, spiritual, emotional, cultural, and sexual safety of children.

In situations where child safety concerns are raised, our pastor(s) and other leaders prioritise the safety of children over the pastoral care needs of known or alleged offenders.

1.4 - Our pastor(s) and other leaders communicate important messages about child safety to our congregation by regularly promoting child safety messages, including information about appropriate behaviours when engaging with children.

Child safety messages are shared before, during and after worship, during children’s ministry, and in our congregational communications, such as in our newsletters, on our webpage, and on our social media pages. (This helps our congregation to understand and model appropriate behaviours. It also helps our congregation participants to readily identify and report inappropriate or disturbing behaviours relating to children, such as grooming behaviours.)

1.5 - Our ‘Statement of Commitment to Child Safety’ and the Child Safety Standards poster are permanently displayed within our congregation spaces, on our webpage, and in our congregational communications, such as our newsletters and social media posts.

1.6 - Our pastor(s) and other team leaders remind the congregation that the Child Safety Standards booklet, which describes the standards and their elements, is available to download at www.lca.org.au/css and is also available in hard copy on request.

Agreed to Next Steps

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.

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 - We promote the child-friendly version of the LCA Child Safety Standards, as well as the ‘Your Rights’ and ‘Speak Up’ messages, in our spaces and in our communications, such as newsletters and social media posts.

2.2 - Our pastor(s), leaders, employees, volunteers, and ministry leaders value the opinions of children by providing children with age-appropriate opportunities to give feedback about their safety, to raise concerns, and to participate in decision-making.

We also periodically ask children about what helps to make them feel safe and comfortable during worship, children’s ministry, and other congregational activities.

2.3 - Our pastor(s), other leaders, employees, volunteers, and ministry leaders listen to children and take them seriously if they raise a safety concern or are worried about something.

2.4 - Our congregation is welcoming to children, and we try to help children to develop and strengthen their church friendships.

2.5 - Our pastor(s), other leaders, employees, and volunteers acknowledge children during worship and other activities.

We show children that they are valued and loved by including them in worship and prayer.

Agreed to Next Steps

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 and ministry leaders regularly remind parents that we take their children’s safety and wellbeing seriously.

We do this by regularly informing parents and carers of all the ways we keep children safe and our commitment to risk management for all children’s activities.

3.2 - Our leaders regularly remind parents and carers that the LCA child-safety-related policies, procedures, and resources are accessible on the LCA website by periodically posting information and links about these resources in our newsletters, on social media sites, and in other communications.

3.3 - Our leaders regularly remind parents and carers that they can raise concerns at any time.

We provide parents and carers with information about safe people to approach in our congregation if they have a concern by displaying the LCA ‘Speak Up’ poster for families in our congregational spaces and in our online communications. We listen and respond appropriately to all concerns raised by parents and carers.

3.4 - Our leaders ensure parents and carers are aware that they share the responsibility for keeping their children safe during activities. We do this by regularly reminding families that children are not to be left alone or unsupervised in church or during church-related activities at any time unless they are signed into an approved program or activity.

We have notices in our congregational spaces, as well as in our online communications, highlighting the importance of this.

3.5 - We periodically seek feedback from parents and carers about child safety in our congregation using a range of methods such as via parent surveys, online reminders, suggestion boxes, and posters.

3.6 - We invite parents and carers to contribute to activity planning and decision-making, which relates to their children.

Agreed to Next Steps

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.

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 - We understand that we have a responsibility to help everyone acknowledge and appreciate the strengths of Aboriginal culture.

We also understand the importance of Aboriginal culture to the wellbeing and safety of Aboriginal children.

4.2 - Our leaders do not tolerate racism and regularly remind the congregation of this via our newsletter, social media posts, and other communications.

4.3 - Our pastor(s) and other leaders communicate to our congregation that children from diverse backgrounds and children with diverse needs have the right to worship in the same way as all God’s children.

Our leaders regularly remind the congregation of the vulnerabilities that families and children from diverse backgrounds face, of the importance of cultural safety, and the need for us all to be supportive and protective.

Our leaders do this by periodically including notifications in our newsletters, in our worship services, in our social media posts, and in other congregational communications as appropriate.

4.4 - Our leadership promotes cultural safety, understanding, and inclusivity that reflects our wider community and encourages children and families from different cultural groups and backgrounds to participate in worship and church activities.

Our leaders do this by displaying cultural materials, such as the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags, other national flags, or posters and messages in the languages of the various cultural groups within our congregation and community.

4.5 - Our pastor(s) and other leaders understand that children with special needs or children from diverse backgrounds find it harder to raise concerns or make reports.

We address this by providing information about reporting and safety in languages and contexts that reflect the diversity of our congregation.

4.6 - Our pastor(s) and other leaders strive to identify and reduce barriers faced by children with diverse needs to help them participate and raise concerns if they need to.

4.7 - Our pastor(s) and other leaders empower, encourage, and support children, particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander children, to express their culture and enjoy their cultural rights by including culturally specific activities that celebrate the diversity of the congregation and our wider community.

Agreed to Next Steps

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.

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 clearances administered according to our local state or territory legislative requirements.

5.2 - Our leaders make it clear to the congregation that work with children cannot commence until a current and valid clearance is received.

5.3 - Our leaders use the Safety Management Online database, for monitoring all screening compliance and renewals.

5.4 - Our screening compliance is reported to our leadership team on a quarterly basis.

5.5 - Our leadership requires that all employees, and volunteers who work with children, as well as all other leaders, are provided with clear role descriptions.

5.6 - Our leadership follows an intentional appointment process, as outlined in Safe Church Training and in Church Worker Support resources, when appointing an employee or volunteer.

The leadership follows LCA policies and procedures, even when the prospective employee is well known to us.

5.7 - Our pastor(s), other leaders, employees, and volunteers understand and have committed to following the LCA Standards of Ethical Behaviour, as well as all approved LCA policies and procedures.

5.8 - Our leadership maintain accurate and confidential records of all selection processes for all leaders, employee, and volunteer appointments, including in situations where an applicant has not been successful.

Agreed to Next Steps

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.

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 in relation to reporting and responding to child safety concerns.

Our leaders take complaints and reports, in relation to child safety concerns, seriously.

Complaints and reports are managed promptly, thoroughly, confidentially, and respectfully.

6.2 - Our leaders review their roles and responsibilities, in relation to reporting of suspected harm of children, at least once a year in a leadership meeting.

6.3 - Our leaders ensure all employees and volunteers who engage with children review their roles and responsibilities, in relation to reporting of suspected harm of children, at least once a year.

6.4 - Our leaders display information about reporting suspected harm of a child prominently within our congregation spaces.

Our leaders also periodically remind the congregation about the importance of reporting suspected harm of a child in our newsletters, social media pages, and during other events as appropriate.

6.5 - Children and families in our congregation are encouraged to raise concerns or make complaints via a variety of child- and family-friendly ways.

Children and families also know who they can talk to if they feel unsafe.

6.6 - Our pastor(s) and other leaders understand that they should provide support to employees and volunteers in situations where employees and volunteers are required to make reports of suspected harm of a child.

6.7 - In situations where child safety concerns are raised in relation to a member of our congregation, our leadership understand they are required to:

a) report to LCA Professional Standards

b) follow the relevant LCA policies and procedures.

6.8 - Our leadership maintains accurate, confidential, and secure electronic records of all complaints, child safety concerns, and breaches of LCA policy using the Safety Management Online database.

Agreed to Next Steps

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 up to date in LCA Safe Church Training.

7.2 - Our leaders use the Safety Management Online database, to monitor and report Safe Church Training compliance.

7.3 - There is reporting on Safe Church Training compliance to our leadership team on a quarterly basis.

7.4 - Our pastors, other leaders, and all employees and volunteers who engage with children have a thorough understanding of children at risk, child abuse (including grooming), indicators of abuse, and the characteristics of institutional abuse.

We understand how to respond to disclosures of abuse and related reporting obligations.

We understand and apply safety management practices, using the ChildSafe™ safety management system. We also understand considerations around cultural safety.

7.5 - Our leadership regularly encourages and promotes the importance of Safe Church Training to our employees, volunteers, and families.

We do this via our newsletters, social media posts, during and after worship as appropriate, and in other congregational communications at least once a year.

7.6 - Pastors, lay workers and volunteers are encouraged to develop and improve their skills and knowledge of best practices when working with children especially in areas of cultural safety, and wellbeing.

Suggested Next Steps

8.2 - Our pastor(s), other leaders, and all employees and volunteers who engage with children and who are responsible for arranging activities and events, are confident and proactive in relation to using our risk management tools.

8.3 - Our risk assessments and safety plans consider the physical environment, the nature of the activity, supervision ratios and all of the surrounding circumstances.

8.4 - Our leadership, pastor(s), and relevant employees and volunteers understand that, in situations where the risk is assessed as too high, they must reduce the identified risks to children.

8.5 - Our leadership, pastor(s), and relevant employees and volunteers understand they must cancel activities if risks to children are assessed as too high and cannot be adequately reduced.

8.6 - Our leadership reviews our church’s physical spaces annually and makes sure to reduce any identified risks to children that are found.

8.7 - Our leadership periodically provides information to employees, volunteers, children, and families about appropriate and safe online engagement with children. We do this via our newsletter, social media posts, and other congregational communications.

9.2 - Our leadership undertakes a Child Safety Self-Assessment of our congregation’s child safety progress once every three years, or more frequently if required.

9.3 - Our leadership oversees the implementation of our Child Safety Standards Action Plan and reviews the plan’s progress on a quarterly basis at a minimum.

9.4 - Our church leadership oversees implementation of the Child Safety Standards Action Plan and regularly reviews progress.

9.5 - Our leadership reviews complaints, concerns, and safety incidents, at the earliest opportunity to identify causes and any patterns to help us continually improve.

Agreed to Next Steps

10.2 - LCA policies and procedures that relate to child safety are accessible and easy to understand for children, families, pastor(s), other leaders, employees, and volunteers.

You have now completed your Child Safety Standards Action Plan

Please share this PDF with your council to be approved prior to submitting.

Once the 'SUBMIT' button has been selected, no further changes can be made, and your link will become inactive. A copy of the above PDF will be emailed to the nominated Chair and to Professional Standards.