Hi everyone,
we all need to be diligent in keeping our children’s ministries safe as good stewards and as faithful servants of the gospel.
Our hope is all parents, including all fathers, will consider serving the church family as faithful disciple-makers. (It may only be as a supervisor one day or perhaps a chauffeur of youth or kids, but it will still require Safe Ministry training?)
Safe Ministry training is required by the Diocese and government regulations. All people in positions of leadership in our church also require this training.
This is really worth doing for several reasons.
First, the online training will equip you with the knowledge and skills to protect and care for the children in a safe and appropriate manner.
Second, it will also help you understand your legal and ethical responsibilities as a volunteer.
Third, it gives confidence to visitors and all the church family that we are doing all we can to care for and protect the vulnerable in our midst. (And it keeps Kelly & myself happy).
Below is a step-by-step guide of all that is required.
Step 1. Get a NSW Working with Children Check Number.
If you don’t have one, you can apply for it here or try: https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/apply-for-a-working-with-children-check
Fill out your details and submit. It should only take a few minutes.
Once you get your WWCC Number emailed to you (this usually takes between 3-4 weeks), take it to a Service NSW office (RMS) to verify your identify.
Step 2. Do the Safe Ministry training
Normally we have a training day every couple of years, however all the training is now going online.
The full course, Safe Ministry Essentials, has to be done a first time before continuing refresher courses every 3 years.
The online training is provided by Youthworks, an organisation that supports youth and children’s ministry in Sydney Anglican churches.
Go here to find the Safe Ministry training.
Part of the online training will involve a Live Webinar that you will need to book for.
It will cost $20 – a bargain!
Step 3. Fill in the Diocese Questionnaire form.
The form is on the church website or you can click here. This needs to be returned to me (aka the Vicar), as only I see it.
(Don’t let these questions discourage you, it’s just a way for us to identify if there is anything we need to discuss as part of our due diligence.)
Step 4. Notify Kelly Grant when done.
Kelly Grant is the Parish’s Safe Ministry Representative (and keeper of all such records) and you will need to notify her when you have completed all of the above.
For her to verify your WWCC number you will need to provide her with your WWCC number (of course), plus your date of birth.
Also, if you complete the Safe Ministry Training online you will have been issued with a certificate. You will also need to provide Kelly with that certificate number.
If you have any further questions, either contact me (0414 367043) or Kelly (0427 463269).
Thank you,
Paul
Anglican Parish of Quirindi 