Safe Ministry at Christ Church North Adelaide

Our Commitment

At Christ Church North Adelaide, we uphold the safety and well-being of all individuals, particularly children and vulnerable adults, as a fundamental part of our ministry. Aligned with the Diocese of Adelaide policies and the Anglican Church of Australia, we are dedicated to creating a safe and nurturing environment where everyone can participate without fear of harm.

Acknowledgment of Past Failures

As part of the Anglican Church of Australia, we recognise and deeply regret the failures of the Church in addressing incidents of abuse in the past. At Christ Church North Adelaide, we stand in solidarity with survivors and acknowledge the pain caused by these breaches of trust.

The Anglican Church has taken significant steps to address these failures, including:

  • Establishing comprehensive safeguarding/ Safe Ministry policies and practices.
  • Implementing the National Redress Scheme to provide support and redress to survivors.
  • Participating fully in the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, learning from its findings, and committing to ongoing reforms.

At Christ Church North Adelaide, we are committed to ensuring that such failures are not repeated. We strive to create a safe and nurturing environment for all through rigorous training, transparent reporting processes, and a culture of care and accountability.

We extend our prayers and support to those affected by past failures and affirm our dedication to learning from these events to build a safer future for everyone.

Safe Ministry Policy

Our Safe Ministry practices are governed by the Diocese of Adelaide’s Safe Ministry Policy, which can be found on their webpage.

. This policy applies to clergy, church workers, and volunteers engaged in our programs, ensuring robust measures to protect children and vulnerable people.

Key aspects of the policy include:

  • Screening and Training: All clergy and church workers undergo rigorous screening and must complete Safe Ministry training every three years.
  • Mandatory Reporting: All church workers are required to report suspected abuse or neglect to relevant authorities immediately​
  • Code of Conduct: We uphold the “Faithfulness in Service” code, ensuring that all actions reflect personal behaviour and pastoral practice standards.
  • Parish Safe Ministry Coordinator: Our parish has a Safe Ministry Coordinator who assists in complying with Safe Ministry requirements, maintaining records, and monitoring practices.
  • Support for Survivors: We provide redress and ongoing support to individuals who have experienced abuse within our programs.

Prevention and Training

To foster safer ministry:

  • Standards of behaviour are clearly defined in “Faithfulness in Service,” the national code of conduct for clergy and church workers​
  • Regular training is conducted to equip our clergy and volunteers with the knowledge to identify and minimise risks and to respond appropriately to concerns

Responding to Concerns

If you suspect abuse or wish to report inappropriate behaviour:

  1. Contact the South Australian Police (SAPOL) at 131 444 or the Child Abuse Report Line (CARL) at 13 14 78.
  2. Notify the Professional Standards Director at (08) 8366 6589 or via psd@adam.com.au​
  3. Contact our church’s Safe Ministry Coordinator for additional guidance. Details of how to contact them can be sought from our office. Email: office@ccna.asn.au

Confidentiality and dignity are prioritised in all responses, ensuring individuals feel safe to report their concerns.

Get Involved

To support our Safe Ministry efforts:

  • Volunteers working with children or vulnerable adults are required to complete a Working With Children Check (WWCC) and Safe Ministry Training​
  • Parishioners are encouraged to learn more about our policies and promote a safe church environment.

Further Information

For detailed policies and resources or to provide feedback, visit the Anglican Church of Australia Safe Ministry webpage or the Anglican Diocese of Adelaide Safe Ministry Webpage or contact us at office@ccna.asn.au.