Training
Safe Church Training educates, supports and equips employees and volunteers of the church for safe ministry practice and godly governance.
Training is mandatory by law for all church workers and volunteers. Training must be completed in person within 12 months of appointment or role commencement, with yearly updates completed online.
Through its training programme the Presbyterian Church of Victoria (PCV) champions and models Christian child safe culture at all levels of the church, top down and bottom up. Training is delivered via congregational in-house training events at no individual cost.
📞 Phone: 0435 417 283
📧 Email: scu.compliance@pcv.org.au
Certificates for completed training can be issued on request. Contact the Safe Church Unit for details.
In-House Training
Advanced Training and Basic Training may only be held as official congregational events approved by the session and run in coordination with a Safe Church Representative (SCR).
- Training events must be registered with the Safe Church Unit (SCU) prior to occurring to be Safe Church compliant. [Form]
- Training videos are on YouTube and will require an internet connection to play. They can be mailed on request if internet access is unavailable. They will need to be paused at designated times as prompted in order for participants to discuss scenarios and complete questions in their booklets.
- A 5-minute break at some point during the training is recommended to allow people to stretch their legs and re-focus again afterwards.
- SCRs are not expected to answer questions in relation to the training content. Questions about the material covered are to be referred to the SCU.
- The Advanced Training Kit and Basic Training Kit contain participant workbooks, scenario materials and legislation fact sheets. These will need to be printed and distributed to attendees.
- The kits also contain promotional material, attendance record templates, video timing guidance, optional opening/closing prayers, and summary points for SCRs running training events.
- There are two scenarios available for section 2 of the Basic Training. SCRs are to select whichever scenario is preferred for use (A or B) and go through the Scenario Response Information sheet with the attendees after they have completed the scenario task. Allow ~15 minutes for discussion.
- After training, the SCU must be notified of the event's completion and the names of attendees. [Form]
A person will not be compliant with training requirements by watching the video in their own time. Training may only be facilitated by Safe Church Representatives at compliant training events.
Basic Training
Anyone with a designated role within the church is a mandatory reporter of child abuse. Safe Church Basic Training helps all church workers and volunteers understand this responsibility.
Basic Training is a two-hour course covering the implementation, procedures and practice of the Safe Church Policy and Safe Church Code of Conduct in all child-related ministries and operations of the denomination. It is completed first and once only.
Basic Training is not required or recommended for children under 18, as the training content includes material relating to child abuse. If a person under 18 wishes to attend they must be at least 16 years of age and a signed Basic Training Parental Permission Form must be completed and returned to the Safe Church Representative prior to attendance.
www.youtube.com
Basic Training is for: ministers, elders, pastoral carers/deacons/deacons' assistants, board members, ministry leaders, team leaders, bible study leaders, kids' church/Sunday school teachers, playgroup volunteers, creche volunteers, youth leaders, camp leaders, music leaders, Safe Church Representatives, and similar roles.
Transfers
A person who wants previous training elsewhere to be recognised by the PCV must submit a Training Recognition Form. Documentation of training completed within the last three years must be provided.
Advanced Training
Safe Church Advanced Training is for designated senior leaders in congregations and organisations with particular responsibility for leading and delivering ministries. Advanced Training is a two-hour course on understanding and preventing risks. It is not a repeat of Basic Training. Advanced Training is completed after Basic Training, once only.
www.youtube.com
Advanced Training is for: ministers, elders, pastoral carers/deacons/deacons' assistants, ministry leaders, team leaders, and bible study leaders. This includes kids' church/Sunday school coordinators, youth ministry coordinators, music team leaders, tech team leaders and senior/executive camp leadership roles.
Safe Church Representatives are encouraged to complete Advanced Training. Board members are not required to complete Advanced Training.
Refresher Course
The refresher course must be completed every 12 months following Basic Training or Advanced Training, or recognition of external training via the transfer process, by all employees and volunteers across the church who hold leadership positions, minister to children under 18 or are involved in pastoral care.
Safe Church Representatives promote refresher training in their congregations/organisations and will direct all mandated people to view the presentation. The course is available as a brief online presentation on YouTube or in written form below. This can be mailed on request for those without access to the internet.
www.youtube.com
Privacy Policy Training
Safe Church Privacy Policy Training is recommended for all employees and volunteers who handle personally identifiable and/or sensitive information about individuals in the course of undertaking their role in the church. This can be viewed at any time and does not need SCR supervision.
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