Fostering safe and welcoming spaces for everyone to thrive
Creating Safe and Welcoming Communities
The Uniting Church in South Australia is committed to fostering safe, welcoming and inclusive communities where everyone can thrive physically, emotionally and spiritually. To support this commitment, leaders, volunteers and workers are encouraged to participate in Called to Care and Through Their Eyes training.
Called to Care provides an introduction to the responsibilities of church leaders and office holders in creating safe and healthy church communities. The program explores pastoral care, healthy governance, risk management, safe ministry practices, and contemporary approaches to volunteer and employment responsibilities. It equips participants to embed safe and best practices within church leadership, programs, activities and facilities.
Through Their Eyes focuses specifically on safeguarding children and young people. Under the Children and Young People (Safety) Act 2017, all employees and volunteers of organisations formed for religious or spiritual purposes have a legal obligation to notify the Department for Child Protection when they suspect on reasonable grounds that a child or young person is, or may be, at risk of harm, and that suspicion arises through their role or duties. Notifications must be made to the Child Abuse Report Line (13 14 78) as soon as practicable after the suspicion is formed.
The training helps participants understand what it means for a child to be "at risk", how to recognise indicators of harm, when and how to make a notification, and how to respond appropriately to support and protect children and young people. Through Their Eyes also assists participants to understand and fulfil their legal reporting responsibilities.
Together, these training programs support the Uniting Church's commitment to safeguarding and help ensure that all leaders, volunteers and workers are equipped to contribute to safe, respectful and caring communities. Participation is particularly important for church council members, ministry leaders, program coordinators, pastoral carers, children's and youth ministry leaders, and others who hold positions of responsibility within the life of the Church.
Attendance is free - but pre booking is required.
