Safety Policy Guidelines

This document is a high level aspirational guide to why safety policy in the Church is important, and a guide to what such policy should cover. It is not a policy itself. Any policy must be formulated, based on this document, by the respective Ministry Unit, or governing body e.g. Episcopal Unit, Tikanga, Governing Entity.

Theological Statement

The Church is called by God to love neighbour, as part of God’s creation, and to stand alongside and advocate for those at the margins, those less powerful, and those without a voice in our society. 

Christian communities should be places where all people feel welcomed, respected and safe. In such communities every human being has infinite worth and unique value as a child of God, irrespective of origin, ethnicity, sex/gender, sexual orientation, age, beliefs, social or economic status, contribution to society, or present psychological, physical or spiritual state. 

We recognise that everyone has different levels of vulnerability, that each of us may be regarded as vulnerable at some time in our lives, and that this is understood through our various experiences of culture, religion and community.

As the Anglican Church in Aotearoa New Zealand and Polynesia we seek to honour diversity in our calling and our communities within a Tikanga framework, and through a broad understanding of mission (as defined by the ACC in five marks of mission). We are committed to ensuring these communities are safe and life giving for all.

Values

As a three Tikanga Christian community who value diversity, we are called to be and live the gospel good news within the different cultures of the peoples we seek to serve and bring into the fullness of Christ, and we are committed to the following:

Equality of worth and value of every individual, without discrimination. (Gal 3:28)

Freedom for all to self-determination, and dignity. (Rom 8:2)

Justice, grace and care in all our relationships. (Micah 6:8)

Ministry as being ‘other focussed’, and always being our best offering. (Matt 9:35-36)

Always being responsible and accountable for safe practice, through honesty and transparency. (John 8:32)

Priority for those at risk, and compassion and support for all experiencing any injustice. (Matt 25:40)

Rights

As a Church we believe that all those who engage with the ministry of the Church have the right:

-        to be treated fairly, with respect and dignity, and without pressure or discrimination;

-        to have their rights upheld regardless of their ethnicity, gender, sexuality, impairment or disability, age, religion or cultural or Tikanga background;

-        to choose how to lead their life and be as independent as possible; and to be able to use their chosen language or method of communication;

-        to have their needs relevant to the ministry context met;

-        to receive pastoral ministry that is respectful and sensitive, recognising any power imbalance within such a relationship;

-        to expect church workers will be recruited with care, and will receive training and continuing support in safe practice;

-        to be free from unacceptable danger or risk; and to expect that any allegations of mistreatment, abuse, harassment or bullying will be responded to without delay;

-        to expect that those who have a duty of care will act in the best interest of those they care for;

-        to be helped to find appropriate specialist care, either from the church or secular agencies;

-        to have their privacy respected;

-        to have the protection of the law.]

Developing policy

In order to ensure the above rights are met, each Episcopal Unit (or Tikanga, or responsible governing entity, or eventually the whole Church) is expected to formulate appropriate safety policies specific to their context, giving credence to the expectations in the Church’s ministry standards and disciplinary processes in Title D of the Canons, and any relevant law within their legal jurisdiction (e.g. Employment, Vulnerable Children or Health and Safety).

Appoint a local ‘champion’ who has responsibility for oversight of the relevant entity’s (this) policy, ensuring review/ update, reporting to governance, ensuring training, and maintaining records.

Key Components

The below headings are offered as key components in any safety policy. Recognising that children, young people, and the vulnerable can be at particular risk, policies should reflect their particular safety needs. Developing such a policy honours the mana/ dignity of each individual involved.

1. Screening of ministers/ workers

(Whether employed/ appointed - stipendiary or non-stipendiary/ or voluntary) – especially for those leading, or with responsibility for, a ministry.

A clear process - which includes application/ references/ police vetting or equivalent background check, and interview/ selection/ appointment processes.

Noting - where local employment law applies and referencing the General Synod’s ‘He Taura Tangata – People Matter’ resource where applicable.

2. Training and support

Regular (annual) training.

Resources available.

Codes of Ethics/ Behaviour/ Standards.

Supervision.

Review of appointment.

3. Organisational Accountability and Reporting

Lines of accountability, monitoring, record keeping, and reporting.

Responsibilities.

Discipline procedures.

Organisational emergency procedures/plans.

Insurance provisions.

4. Legal obligations

Privacy/ confidentiality.

Health and Safety standards.

Reporting of abuse.

(Noting that particular legal jurisdictions differ across this Church.)

5. Physical environment checks

Health and Safety compliance.

Hazards identification.

6. Programme safety expectations

Leadership/staffing ratios (e.g. adult/child).

Transport.

Emergency contacts/ numbers.

Programme emergency procedures/plans.

Risk assessment and risk management.

7. Clear process for incident or complaint

Clear reporting/ accountability lines in the event of an incident, e.g. addressing response, care, reference onward, support over any allegation of unsafe practice.

Transparently and publically accessible information about complaint processes, covering the appropriate processes applicable to the context e.g. Title D, Employment, Police.

8. Pastoral Care

Identify what ministry of care and support is offered, for both ministers and those ministered to, and especially any victims of unsafe practice.

Glossary of terms/ definitions:

Abuse – can be physical, sexual, emotional, verbal, social, financial, or spiritual. Including, but not limited to, behaviour that instils fear, is repeated, controlling, threatening and coercive.

Bullying – unwanted, aggressive behaviour that involves real or perceived power imbalance.

Discrimination - unlawful breach of your rights under Human Rights legislation

Harassment – systematic and/or continued unwanted and annoying actions of one party or a group, including threats and demands.