Safe Ministry Training

 

 All clergy and lay position holders (church workers including volunteers) must undertake safe ministry training.  

This is a key element in our framework for keeping our churches safe.

Professional Standards Child Safe Training
The safe ministry training program is to be undertaken every three (3) years by all clergy, staff, lay position holders and volunteers to the appropriate level/s for the role. Refresher training will be released by September 2024. The safe ministry training takes into account the Diocese’s compliance requirements including:
    • Safe Ministry to Children Canon
    • Professional Standards Uniform Act
    • Faithfulness in Service
    • Child protection legislation
    • OH&S
    • Victorian Child Safe Standards
The courses offer basic level training for all church workers in the concepts of safe ministry and additional training for those responsible for the implementation of Diocesan safe ministry requirements in Parishes and Authorised Anglican Congregations (AACs). The training is provided by Creating Safer Communities and is available online.  To enquire about in-person group training for parishes, please contact safeministry@melbourneanglican.org.au. Click here for a flyer with more information to help your continued implementations of safe ministry training including for people who have experienced trauma.

This training covers sensitive topics including abuse which may be distressing. Please feel free to take a break during the training and speak to your vicar, a counsellor, a trusted friend, or seek other external support such as 1800 RESPECT or Lifeline.

Training modules 1 and 2 can be purchased and completed online through the Safer Communities website, here, while module 3 can be booked at here. Follow these instructions to register for the course.

Your parish may be covering the costs of training, in which case speak with them for instructions on registration. Instructions for parishes who wish to make payments are found here.

In October 2024, Safe Ministry Training courses were renamed. An overview of the changes can be found here.

A two-hour course for volunteer, lay position holders, and staff to develop awareness of the Diocesan Safe Ministry policy, protocols, procedures, and practices. The training includes biblical foundations, healthy team ministry, screening, boundaries, code of conduct, duty of care, responding to concerns and self-care as church workers.

Click here to select your parish and register.

A course for all those who work in a prescribed role and require clearance for service.  The module develops an awareness of Child Safety for all children and youth volunteers. This course includes empowering children, identifying, and responding to concerns (risk of harm), reducing the risks of child abuse, and caring for all parties. Module 2 training is available as an eTraining course.

Click here to select your parish and register.

A course to develop awareness of Child Safety and the Diocesan Safe Ministry policy, protocols, procedures, and practices. The training includes biblical foundations, healthy team ministry, screening, boundaries, code of conduct, duty of care, empowering children, identifying and responding to concerns, reducing the risks of child abuse, caring for all parties and self-care as church workers.

Click here to register.

A course for all Clergy, Authorised Ministers, Parish Council members, Child Safe Officers and Ministry Program Coordinators aimed at working through the implementation of Diocesan Safe Ministry Policy, Protocols and Procedures. This module is to be completed every three years. This training can be booked here.

The teen helper training is now available on the ADOM Portal. This course has been developed to be facilitated by Vicars, Child Safety Officers and Children or Youth Ministers with their teenaged helpers in their parishes. It includes a ‘how to’ facilitator video, facilitators guide, and parent permission form. There are 5 videos and a participant handout to be used when facilitating a training session with the teen helpers in your parish.

User Guides and Training Helpline

User guides are available with information about accessing and using the online training for individuals here and for parishes here. If you have problems with access or use of the online training systems after consulting the guides, please call the Creating Safer Communities Helpline on 1800 070 511 or email etraining@safercommunities.net.au and one of the Creating Safer Communities staff will assist.

Guides and Handouts for running parish facilitated group training: