Having passed the halfway point for 2023, it is good to take stock of how things are going in your ministries and make sure you are aware of some recent changes to ensure continued safe practices for the rest of the year. In this newsletter, you’ll find some important updates and resources to help you out.
We hope this newsletter will be helpful, with information about:
Our recent BTS Information and Consultation Sessions for BTS Reps
Important changes to the BTS Manual and Code of Conduct, including a whole new section on Camping
Helpful resources including 3 new information sheets
Changes to the CPU Team
In Christ, The Conduct Protocol Unit
Changes to BTS Manual and Code of Conduct
The Breaking the Silence (BTS) 2023 Edition, which was approved at the 2023 General Assembly, is currently being distributed and will be available on the website soon. A number of minor changes were made to reflect current legislation and practices.
The major changes that will impact you are:
Section 3.5 - The introduction of Support Persons to provide for access to an appropriate support person within each presbytery. We will be communicating with presbyteries about this.
Section 8 - Code of Conduct - Point 9 has been changed due to inclusion of Section 16 Camping. We will be sending out new Code of Conduct booklets and other BTS 2023 resources shortly.
Section 16 - Camping for Children and Young People. This is a new Section and applies to all PCNSW congregations when providing overnight activities which include accommodating groups of children/young people in any way other than with their carer. We will be providing resources to assist you in implementing this policy. A new camping information sheet is currently available on the BTS website.
What will need to happen next?
Inform Session that the new Edition has been issued and ensure Session members have access to the BTS 2023 Manual. Session should ensure that they review this document as soon as possible and record this review in the Session meeting minutes. Please email an extract of the meeting minutes to the CPU via email cpu-admin@pcnsw.org.au as soon as possible.
Remove and destroy all previous versions of BTS Manual and replace any saved soft copies with the updated 2023 Edition.
Review and update your website with any references or links to the now outdated 2022 edition.
BTS posters and booklets should remain in place until you receive the updated 2023 versions.
MESSAGE FROM CPU ACTING DIRECTOR
Vera Buvcevska
Dear Brothers and Sister in Christ,
As some of you know by now, there have been some changes in the CPU. We recently said farewell to Terry Georgeson who left the CPU in August. Terry brought a wealth of experience from her child protection background and remains passionate about creating safe spaces for all.
We are confident that God will continue to direct her steps and wish her every blessing in her future endeavours. Please give thanks for the contribution Terry has made to the CPU. We have also farewelled Awo Kwakwa from the Administration Manager role. We are thankful for her contribution and wish her well.
I will be the Acting Director CPU for the time being, and Liz Reynolds has been engaged to assist with case work during this transition period. Andie Maggio and Marikris del Rosario are looking after training and administration, while Karen McMillan as our Chaplain and Linda Wild as our Auditing and Compliance Manager continue to support the work of the CPU.
We ask that you bear with us during this time of change as there may be some delays in processing Working with Children Checks and training attendances over the next month.
If you have any concerns, please raise them with myself or Liz McClean at emcclean@pcnsw.org.au.
Blessings,
Vera
BTS Reps Info Sessions
It was lovely to meet many BTS Representatives at our BTS Representative Information Sessions on July 24th and 25th. The day and evening sessions were well attended via Zoom.
The team worked hard to prepare clear presentations and BTS reps were able to ask questions about BTS matters. We received some very positive feedback and were encouraged by those who attended.
Please let us know if you have an idea for a future BTS information session, or a resource which would be helpful to you, such as a response to a FAQ, or an info sheet on a particular topic. We are looking at the best way of sharing the information from these sessions with you and other BTS Representatives who were unable to attend.
Thanks again for all your hard work in our churches to make sure that we have safe people, safe places and safe practices.
New Info Sheets
Recording and Storing Information
Keeping good records and having good record-keeping practices was recognised by the Royal Commission in helping promote the safety of children and young people. It also implements Child Safe Standards 1 and 10. The info sheet covers ‘Why do we keep records?’, ‘What records to keep’, ‘How long and where to keep records.’ Good record-keeping is an essential part of safe ministry practices and any BTS audit.
Breaking the Silence and the Child Safe Standards
The NSW Child Safe Scheme was enacted in November 2021, making the implementation of the Child Safe Standards mandatory within PCNSW. They are a set of ten standards which encourage organisations to think about how they can have ‘best practice’ in creating cultures, practices and environments which keep children safe from harm. Breaking the Silence is aligned with the Child Safe Standards. This info sheet explains how each standard is reflected in BTS policy, lists relevant resources to help your church implement the standards, highlights how BTS audit items comply with each standard and gives examples of what this might look like in practice.
Camping for Children and Young People
A summary of what the new Section 16 of the BTS Manual and Code of Conduct on Camping for Children and Young People is all about.
These information sheets are available on the Breaking the Silence website’s Resources page, or by clicking the icons below.
BTS Foundations Training Sat 9th Sep 2023 – 9:30am to 12:30pm Murwillumbah Presbyterian Church 19 Wollumbin St, Murwillumbah NSW 2484 Facilitator: Jon Flood
BTS Foundations Training Sun 10th Sep 2023 – 1:30pm to 4:30pm GladesHill Presbyterian Church 1 Pittwater Rd, Gladesville NSW 2111 Facilitator: Andrea Maggio
BTS Foundations Training Sat 14th Oct 2023 – 2:00pm to 5:00pm Gateway Presbyterian Church 43 Gan Gan Rd, Anna Bay NSW 2316 Facilitator: Jon Flood
If you would like to attend any of the listed training sessions, please contact us to register your interest - email Andie at cpu-training@pcnsw.org.au
Implementing the Child Safe Standards
Spotlight on Child Safe Standard 4
Standard 4 is about treating all people, including children with respect and understanding. Lack of equity and accommodating for diverse needs creates additional risks for children who are already vulnerable to harm and abuse.
Children and young people with diverse needs include children with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander background; with a disability; children from culturally and linguistically diverse; neuro or gender diverse.
Particular needs for these groups should be considered and strategies identified to remove barriers to their inclusion in activities.
For assistance in implementing this Standard please refer to page 5 in the info sheet and contact the CPU to discuss your specific needs.
