Our Commitment to Child Safety – NSW, ACT, SA and NT

Our Commitment to Child Safety – NSW, ACT, SA and NT

We want to reaffirm our shared commitment to making our fellowship a safe and respectful place for all — especially for children and young people. It is our sincere desire that no incident of harm or abuse ever occurs among us.

We’ve added new resources to this website, including our Child Safe Policy, Allegations Management Policy, and Code of Conduct. These documents have been carefully prepared to help us all understand our responsibilities in creating and maintaining a child-safe environment. They outline how concerns or allegations will be handled with fairness, compassion, and independence, and how we can each play a part in keeping everyone safe.

These policies reflect the principles of state-based child protection laws and the Child Safe Standards that apply across all states and territories. They also follow the guidance of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, which advised all faith communities of the importance of clear, transparent, and accountable processes for protecting children.

Our Code of Conduct sets out how we treat and care for one another. Our Child Safe Policy shows our commitment to making our fellowship a safe place for children and young people. It explains the steps we take to prevent harm, promote wellbeing, and respond when concerns arise. Our Allegations Management Policy outlines how independent specialists help us manage any concerns or allegations fairly, respectfully, and in line with the law.

Each of our child safety documents has been reviewed by ChildSafe Australia. Their independent review has helped ensure that our policies meet both legal requirements and current practice in child safety and risk management.

We recognise the need for professional expertise in managing these matters. We have engaged Kooyoora, an independent, not-for-profit professional organisation, to assist with our child safety and allegations processes. Kooyoora provides a confidential reporting line for survivors and anyone with safety concerns, and offers expert guidance to overseers, workers, and elders to ensure all matters are handled lawfully and sensitively. Their qualified, trauma-informed investigators will bring independence to any investigations and they will be able to advise us on appropriate safety planning as needed.

We recognise that coming forward to report abuse or misconduct can be a difficult and emotional experience. To help make this process as safe and respectful as possible, Kooyoora will refer survivors to independent counselling services, thanks to funding provided by friends in New South Wales and South Australia.

We encourage everyone — parents, workers, elders, and friends — to take time to read these documents. Together, they represent our shared commitment to the safety and wellbeing of every child and young person in our fellowship.

Links

Code of Conduct NSW ACT

Code of Conduct SA NT

Child Safe Policy

Allegations Management Policy

Kooyoora

ChildSafe Australia