Policies and Values
Vision
“To be an inter-cultural, inter-generational hub church, that loves, welcomes and includes all people.”
Mission
Love God, love others, serve the World in Jesus’ name.
Values
GraceInclusionDignityFaith & Hope
A Safe Church
Child safety is everyone’s responsibility
Child safety is everyone’s responsibility
We believe that all people, including children and vulnerable adults, are made in the image of God, and that our relationships with each other should express love, integrity, compassion and respect.
We believe that everyone who is involved in any of the Synod’s activities, services, events or programs has a right to feel and be safe. We therefore acknowledge our moral and legal responsibility to take proactive steps to ensure the safety of children and young people involved with any Synod organisation.
We have zero tolerance for causing any form of harm to children and will do all in our power to keep children and vulnerable adults safe from harm. Protecting children and vulnerable adults is both an individual and a collective responsibility of the Uniting Church, and all who engage with it.
We believe that everyone who is involved in any of the Synod’s activities, services, events or programs has a right to feel and be safe. We therefore acknowledge our moral and legal responsibility to take proactive steps to ensure the safety of children and young people involved with any Synod organisation.
We have zero tolerance for causing any form of harm to children and will do all in our power to keep children and vulnerable adults safe from harm. Protecting children and vulnerable adults is both an individual and a collective responsibility of the Uniting Church, and all who engage with it.
As a Church, we commit to listening to children, their families and their communities.
We commit to supporting the diverse needs of all children.
We commit to providing environments that are physically, emotionally and spiritually safe for all people including children, so that they may live life in all its fullness.
We commit to appropriate screening and training of adults working within the Church, especially those who work with children.
We commit to supporting the diverse needs of all children.
We commit to providing environments that are physically, emotionally and spiritually safe for all people including children, so that they may live life in all its fullness.
We commit to appropriate screening and training of adults working within the Church, especially those who work with children.
Our commitment to child safety will be central to our decision-making and guide our practice.
We will seek to understand our risk areas and develop strategies that aim to prevent and minimise risks to children and young people as far as possible, taking an approach of continuous improvement.
We are committed to continual growth in our ongoing implementation of the Child Safe Standards.
We welcome feedback from anyone with an interest in this commitment, including children.
Safe Church Commitment Statement
We Care
✓ We are committed to the safety of children.
✓ We believe that every child has the right to feel safe and valued.
✓ We are committed to treating all children equitably.
✓ We believe that child harm or abuse is never ok, and never the child’s fault.
We Listen
✓ Children and adults can speak out if they think a child is at risk of harm.
✓ We listen to children about what makes them feel safe.
✓ We involve families and communities in protecting children.
✓ We welcome feedback from children and adults.
We Prepare
✓ We follow strong policies and processes to help keep children safe.
✓ Our leaders are committed to child safety.
✓ Our people who work with children are all screened and trained.
We Act
✓ We respond to every complaint and every concern.
✓ We work to make sure our places are safe.
✓ We keep improving what we do to support children
Safe Church contact: AlisonD@nswact.uca.org.au
