THE NCCA SAFE CHURCH PROGRAM
The Safe Church Program was officially wrapped up at the start of 2024.
In recent years, we have witnessed churches around Australia responding and developing their own training and resources, and the need for the Safe Church Program to actively work in this area has been shrinking over the past few years.
For over a decade, the NCCA Safe Church Program led the ecumenical endeavour to make Australian Churches safe for children and vulnerable people. It had its own membership base that included both NCCA member and non-member churches, and it worked across all denominations to support churches in their safeguarding journey.
SAFE CHURCH TRAINING – WHAT NOW?
If you are looking for a Safe Church Awareness Workshop (or equivalent), please contact your denomination’s Safe Church, Professional Standards, or other relevant office.
OUR JOURNEY
Since the commencement of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse and the release of the recommendations in December 2017, Australian churches and Christian ministries made historic changes.
The NCCA Safe Church Program consulted with member churches to equip them with the resources to address and respond to the recommendations arising from the Royal Commission, and assist with capacity-building in safeguarding issues and professional standards.
As part of the NCCA’s commitment to assisting our Churches and Christian communities to effectively meet the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations, the Safe Church Program collaborated with Child Wise to develop the NCCA Child Safety Framework and all its associated resources.
The Framework and resources supported awareness-raising workshops and other training related to the safety and prevention of abuse of children and vulnerable adults. The Framework also encouraged and equipped churches to develop their own training around the safety and protection of children and vulnerable adults.
Through the Safe Church Training Standards and SCP Training Partners and Providers system, the program promoted national consistency in content and standards of training.
In 2023 we trained additional Awareness Workshop presenters across several states/territories, and updated many of the resources provided through our program to reflect the various legislative changes. Presenters who were trained and assessed through our Presenter Endorsement Process will continue to facilitate Safe Church Awareness Workshops and collaborate to continue to provide up-to-date information.
THANK YOU
We would like to thank all the churches and organisations that have worked with the NCCA Safe Church Program over the years, and all the leaders and volunteers who have worked diligently to develop, improve, and implement safeguarding training and strategies within Australian churches.
Although there is still much work to be done, we celebrate the Churches’ passion and commitment to creating and maintaining spaces that are safe and welcoming for all people.