Child Safety

Statement of Commitment

The Avalon Church is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children. We have a zero tolerance approach to child abuse, and are commited to ensuring a safe environment for children in all our programs and activities.

We value and uphold the rights of children and young people to feel safe and be safe. Their best interests, opinions and concerns are listened to, as their protection from harm is paramount. We seek to incorporate their views, as well as their families' and the communities, in order to develop a safe place for them.

Our approach to preventing harm is embedded in all our policies and procedures, and we are committed to a culture of child safety. We work with our staff and volunteers to ensure they are trained and supported to have the knowledge and skills to be child safe, and ensure they are aware of how to make a report if they suspect child abuse.

We have procedures in place to report suspected abuse, neglect or mistreatment of children promptly and lawfully to the appropriate authorities, and if there is an observed breach of our Code of Conduct.

We are committed to supporting the diverse circumstances of all children and young people in our church, including First Nations children, children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, as well as an inclusive environment for those with disabilities.

Child Safety Policy

Click on the button below to view the Child Safety Policy for The Avalon Church.

Code of Conduct

Click on the button below to view the Child Safety Code of Conduct for paid employees and volunteers at The Avalon Church.

Child Safety Policy

We want children who participate in our kids and youth programs to have a safe and happy experience. We support and respect our children, their families, and our workers.

Introduction

Our policy guides paid employees and volunteers on how to behave when interacting and engaging with children in our church. The policy focuses on how we can build and maintain a child-safe environment that is inclusive, transparent, and promotes children's participation.

This policy and the following procedures apply to The Avalon Church and any related entities that fall under its direct oversight. This document relates to legislated requirements for NSW only.

Children's Participation

Our organization supports the active participation of children in the programs, activities, and services we offer. We provide a range of ways to allow children to provide feedback or raise concerns. We listen to their views, respect what they say, and involve them when we make decisions, particularly those that will directly affect them.

Children are aware of who they can talk to should they need to raise a concern. In the event that a concern is raised, they will be provided with adequate support and the concern will be addressed appropriately.

Recruitment

Our organization will maintain a rigorous and consistent recruitment, screening, and selection process for our paid employees and volunteers working directly with children.

To achieve this standard, we will use:

References for those volunteering on a directly child-related team (if a person has been in church for more than 12 months, 2 internal references will suffice. If a person has been in church for less than 12 months, 2 references external to our organization must be provided).
Working With Children Check (WWCC)
Code of Conduct/Self Declaration
Child Safe Training

If volunteers and employees complete these requirements according to the Ministry Leader or Pastor, they will be inducted into their paid role or volunteering team.

Complaints Management and Reporting

All paid employees and child-related volunteers are trained at induction and then yearly regarding the process of raising a complaint about the safety or welfare of a child or young person.

Everyone in our organization should be confident that complaints or concerns about a child's safety will be dealt with immediately, honestly, and fairly.

Detailed further below are processes for volunteers and paid employees to manage complaints or concerns within The Avalon Church.

The main types of child abuse are listed below, including some examples of physical and behavioral indicators:

Physical abuse:

Bruises, fractures, burns, scarring, lacerations, poisoning.
Anxiety, fear of parents/fear of going home, nervousness, aggression, jumpiness.

Sexual abuse:

Inflammation, infection or injury to genital area, discomfort in urinating or frequent urinary tract infections, pregnancy.
Age-inappropriate sexualised behaviour, regressive behaviour such as bedwetting or speech loss, aggression, signs of depression, difficulties sleeping, anxiety.

Psychological/emotional abuse:

Possible delays in physical and speech development.
Low self-esteem, nervousness, highly anxious, withdrawal, aggressive behaviours.

Neglect:

Poor hygiene, frequently hungry, unsupervised for long periods, inappropriate clothing, medical needs not attended to.
Steals food, stays at school outside of school hours, abuses alcohol/drugs.

Grooming:

the process of building a relationship, trust and emotional connection in order to sexually abuse the child or young person.
Examples of grooming:

Gaining a child's trust by buying them special gifts or treats
Spending time along with the child
Showing the child favourtism by treating them differently or making them feel special
Isolating the child from their family or friends
Children are present in a house where domestic violence (DV) is occurring

Domestic Violence:

violent or aggressive behaviour occurring within the home committed by someone in the victim's domestic circle i.e., a family member, partner, spouse, ex-partner, etc.

Legally, a mandatory report must be made if you are made aware that a child is living in a home where DV is occurring

All complaints should be reported, including:

Any disclosures of abuse
Any disclosures that abuse is occurring in the home where a child or young person lives (even if it they are not being abused directly)
Inappropriate behaviour around children and young people
Suspicion of abuse or harm to a child or young person

Process for Volunteers to manage complaints:

Listen to the child/young person making the complaint, and let them know you believe them.
Immediately inform your Ministry Leader/Pastor, or one of the Child Safety Officers (see below).
Make a record of the complaint using the The Avalon Church Incident Report form (available from your Ministry Leader/Pastor).

A child or young person, or any paid employee/volunteer can make a complaint or raise a concern through a:

Face to face meeting
Email (see email addresses below)

The Avalon Church Child Safety Contact Officers:

Paul Bucknell – Senior Pastor
Bonnie Miles – Child Safety Officer, HR and Compliance
Email: bonnie@theavalon.church

Process for Paid Employees to manage complaints – NSW Reporting requirements:

Department of Family and Community Services:

Paid employees are legal mandatory reporters and must report concerns about risk of significant harm to children to the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ). Phone 132 111 to report child abuse or neglect (24 hour service) or lodge an eReport through the NSW website using the link below.

E-Report Link: Mandatory E-Report Link

Login details: provided upon request from Bonnie Miles

Office of the Children's Guardian:

If an allegation is made of sexual misconduct or serious physical assault involving children by a paid employee or volunteer who holds a WWCC, a report must be made to the Office of the Children's Guardian (OCG), under the Reportable Conduct Scheme. It is recommended this be done on the first business day after the report of the event; refer to the number below.

OCG phone number: (02) 8219 3600

Alternative number: (02) 8219 3777

Creating Safer Communities

‘Creating Safer Communities' is a helpline that is usually only used by the Management Team and the Senior Pastor when a child safety related situation or incident occurs. However, in the event that none of these staff members are available to contact the hotline, please call the number below should any incident occur or should you have any questions relating to child safety.

Creating Safer Communities Helpline: 1800 070 511

Other Legislation, Industry Standards or Internal Policies

Other legislation:

Child Safe Standards 2023
Child Protection (Working With Children) Act 2012
Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998

Internal Policies:

The Avalon Church Code of Conduct
Problem and Conflict Resolution Policy
Electronic Communication & Social Media Policy

Child to Leader Ratios:

We have a firm commitment at The Avalon Church to ensure that all children in our care are adequately supervised. In this regard, all of our ministries adhere to the standards set by the relevant government authorities in regards to child-to-leader ratios. These ratios are as follows:

A minimum of two adult leaders will be involved in any structured event or ministry activity; under no circumstances should an adult be left alone with a child or group of children
Creche children (from 0 to 24 months of age): 1:4 (leaders:children)
Over 24 months and less than 36 months of age: 1:5
Aged 36 months of age or preschool: 1:10
Over preschool age (primary and high school students): 1:15
Higher ratios if activities are deemed risky or if excursions / off-sites take place

Communication

Our Child Safe Policy and Code of Conduct is easily accessible on our website: https://theavalon.church
Our Child Safe Policy will be discussed during induction sessions for all new staff

Review

The policy and guidelines will be reviewed every two years and incorporate comments and suggestions from our range of stakeholders (including workers, children and families).

If you have any questions about this Policy, please contact the The Avalon Church Child Safety Officer, Bonnie Miles at bonnie@theavalon.church

Code of Conduct

We are committed to creating and maintaining an environment that promotes the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people. This includes encouraging a culture where the prevention and reporting of abuse is supported and encouraged. All staff and volunteers from The Avalon Church and its plants are responsible for promoting the safety, wellbeing and empowerment of children.

This Code of Conduct sets expectations for how adults in our church should behave around children. This is important to help prevent children from being harmed. Child abuse takes many forms and can include physical, sexual and psychological abuse, domestic violence and neglect. Our Child Safety Policy provides more information about these different types of abuse.

I will:

Treat children with respect and be a positive role model in my conduct with them.
Welcome all children and their families and carers by being inclusive.
Listen to and communicate with children in an age appropriate manner.
Set clear boundaries about appropriate behaviour between myself and a child.
Only have physical contact with a child in ways which are appropriate to my professional and volunteer role and responsibilities.
Be willing to listen and respond appropriately to a child's opinions and concerns.
Wherever possible, only interact online with young people in the context of group messaging.
Welcome parents and carers to participate in decisions about childrens' programs and any other matters about their safety.
Take a child seriously if they disclose harm or abuse and report these immediately and transparently to The Avalon Church staff members.
Participate in all compulsory training.
Adhere to all relevant Australian and NSW legislation and The Avalon Church child safety policies and procedures.
Raise concerns with The Avalon Church staff if risks to child safety are identified.
Ensure breaches of this Code of Conduct are reported to The Avalon Church staff immediately.
Uphold the rights of the child and always prioritise their needs.

I will not:

Ignore or disregard any concerns, suspicions or disclosures of child abuse.
Exaggerate or trivialise child abuse issues.
Approve or participate in illegal, unsafe or abusive behaviour towards children, including physical, sexual or psychological abuse, domestic violence, neglect or grooming.
Use hurtful, discriminatory or offensive behaviour or language with children.
Be alone with a child.
Possess or use cigarettes/vapes or be under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs at any time while working with children.
Offer children and young people alcohol, cigarettes/vapes or other drugs.
Initiate direct messaging on social media or other platforms; or initiate friend requests or follow children or young people on social media (however, follow requests can be accepted when initiated by a child or young person)
Develop any ‘special' relationships with children that could be seen as grooming/favouritism such as the offering of gifts or special treatment.
Engage in unwarranted and inappropriate touching involving a child.
Use sexual language, innuendoes, jokes or gestures in the presence of children.
Do things of a personal nature that a child can do for themselves, such as toileting or changing clothes.

All staff, volunteers, families and church members are required to speak to a The Avalon Church staff member if they have concerns about the safety of children or if they know that a child under 18 years has been abused. Complaints about a breach of this Code of Conduct can be reported to any of the The Avalon Church staff.

Some breaches of this Code of Conduct may need to be reported to the NSW Police, the Department of Communities and Justice and the Office of the Children's Guardian. Staff and volunteers who breach our Code of Conduct may also be subject to disciplinary action. This can include increased supervision, appointment to an alternative role, suspension or termination from the organisation.

Please Note:

As The Avalon Church is a mandatory reporter, adults working or volunteering will commit an offence if they know another person in the organisation poses a serious risk of abusing a child (under 18 years), and they have the power to reduce or remove the risk, and they negligently fail to do so.