Commitment to Child Safety
Following the Royal Commission, the President of the Uniting Church in Australia, Stuart McMillan stated:
“With the collaboration of Synods and many others across our Church, we have begun applying the learnings of the Royal Commission through a National Child Safe Policy Framework.
I urge all Church members to remain vigilant, to ensure that wherever you are in our Church, agencies or schools, you are focussed on child safety.”
Reportable Conduct Scheme
We all share the responsibility for promoting the wellbeing and safety of children and we will do whatever is in our power to safeguard them from all forms of abuse.
The protection of children and young people is the responsibility of all individuals who are employed or engaged by the Uniting Church in Australia, Western Australia to provide them with services, care, education and other activities.
The Uniting Church is also subject to the laws protecting the safety of children including the Reportable Conduct Scheme (the Scheme) in Western Australia administered by the Ombudsman Western Australia office (OWA).
The Uniting Church has an obligation to report to the Ombudsman any allegations of reportable conduct or misconduct committed by individuals (including staff, officers, ministers, other religious leaders, contractors and volunteers) who are employed or engaged by the Uniting Church in WA.
What are the types of Reportable Conduct?
The types of misconduct that are reportable:
- a Sexual Offence committed against, with or in the presence of, a Child; or
- Sexual Misconduct, committed against, with or in the presence of, a Child; or
- Physical Violence committed against, with or in the presence of, a Child; or
- any behaviour that causes Significant Emotional or Psychological Harm to a Child; or
- significant neglect of a Child.
Who are Employees?
Employees include the following persons over 18 years of age:
- paid employees
- volunteers
- contractors
- ministers of religion
- certain types of carers
In the Uniting Church in WA this includes staff, officers, ministers, lay leaders, contractors and volunteers.
How do you report?
If you are concerned or have any information that leads you to form a reasonable belief that an employee of the Uniting Church has committed: (a) reportable conduct; or (b) misconduct that may involve reportable conduct, you are encouraged to speak to and/or report such information to the General Secretary at general.secretary@wa.uca.org.au or the Executive Officer, Culture of Safety at cultureofsafety@wa.uca.org.au. If the person has information of a reportable allegation involving the General Secretary of the Uniting Church, the person may directly notify the Ombudsman. Refer to the Handling Disclosures/Reporting Protocols and Reporting Reportable Conduct Guidelines.
National Principles for Child Safe Organisations
The National Principles for Child Safe Organisations reflect ten child safe standards recommended by the Royal Commission, and are the vehicle for giving effect to recommendations relating to the standards.
The 10 National Principles for Child Safe Organisations are:
- Child safety and wellbeing is embedded in organisational leadership, governance and culture.
- Children and young people are informed about their rights, participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously.
- Families and communities are informed and involved in promoting child safety and wellbeing.
- Equity is upheld and diverse needs respected in policy and practice.
- People working with children and young people are suitable and supported to reflect child safety and wellbeing values in practice.
- Processes for complaints and concerns are child focused.
- Staff and volunteers are equipped with the knowledge, skills and awareness to keep children and young people safe through ongoing education and training.
- Physical and online environments promote safety and wellbeing while minimising the opportunity for children and young people to be harmed.
- Implementation of the national child safe principles is regularly reviewed and improved.
- Policies and procedures document how the organisation is safe for children and young people.
The Principles are underpinned by a child rights, strengths-based approach including emphasising:
- genuine engagement with children and young people;
- taking action to promote their right to safety and right to have their views heard;
- and prioritising the safety and wellbeing of children.
This type of approach acknowledges that children and young people gain great benefits when they are empowered to fully participate in various aspects of an organisation or service involving them. It also acknowledges that most organisations and their workers and volunteers want to do what is best for children and young people.
National Office of Child Safety
The National Office for Child Safety will lead the finalisation, national coordination and implementation of the National Principles, working with the National Children’s Commissioner, states and territories, and the non-government sector.
The WA Commissioner for Children and Young People has very good resources for implementing these 10 principles.