Yes. If you have only recently completed the 2020 version of Breaking the Silence Basic Training, we will still accept that training for the normal three year period.

However, if you are able, we do strongly recommend completing BTS 2023 Foundations Training in the next year or so, as it contains the latest information about safe ministry within the Presbyterian Church and covers some important topics such as domestic and family violence and online ministry, which are particularly relevant at the moment.  

Read and Review in Breaking the Silence is required on an annual basis for all those in a position of authority within the church who work directly with children and young people. It is strongly encouraged for all other leaders as well.

This is typically done at the beginning of the year when the new year’s children and youth programs are starting up.

Read and Review involves the following steps:

1. Read through the BTS Policy together
2. Read through the BTS Code of Conduct together
3. Discuss reporting requirements and who to speak to if you have concerns
4. Discuss any safe ministry issues particular to your ministry 

All of this is contained within the Read and Review Package.

Many people work in a profession (such as teaching or healthcare) which includes child protection training in their professional development.

However, as BTS covers more than just child protection and addresses the issue of abuse from the church’s point of view, they still need to complete the full Breaking the Silence: Foundations Training. This ensures they are trained with the same information as other leaders in their church, ensuring everyone is well equipped to serve and protect people of all ages who they may encounter in their ministry activities.

As a denomination, it is our aim to ensure that all those serving in positions of authority are equipped and trained to conduct their activities in a safe, consistent way that minimises the risk of harm and allows the church to respond well to issues that arise.

The best way to ensure that everyone is trained with the same understanding and protocols is to have everyone complete the same training course. In the Presbyterian Church in NSW, the ACT, Tasmania and WA, this course is Breaking the Silence: Foundations Training.

Even if you have completed safe ministry training in a different denomination, we require that you take the time to be trained in the Breaking the Silence: Foundations Training course. This training is valid for 3 years and recorded by the Conduct Protocol Unit.

The CPU is happy to issue certificates for training facilitated by a CPU trainer, or for completing the online training. If you did BTS training in your church, we ask that the appointed organiser and facilitator of the session issues this. Their Foundations Training must not be expired, and they need to have recently completed the online training themselves in order to facilitate a church session.

The appointed organiser can issue a Statement of Completion to attendees using the official template provided by the CPU upon email request. Alternatively, you can ask your Minister or Session Clerk to write a statement of completion with details of the date, venue and facilitator with their church letter-head. The CPU can provide advice of the wording if this is helpful.

How to get a certificate:

• Attended a CPU-run training session – Request to CPU, and check your junk mail folder in your inbox for our response.
• Completed online training – Request to CPU and check your junk mail folder in your inbox for our response.
• Attended a church ‘in-house’ training session – Issued by the appointed organiser and facilitator of the session, usually your Minister or BTS Rep. The CPU can provide a Statement of Completion template for them to use.

The CPU has developed a modified training workbook to accommodate the needs of those who have sensitivities to the topic of abuse.  It is designed to be completed with the assistance of a facilitator (a BTS approved leader with current BTS training) who knows the participant well to read and discuss the workbook together.  It does not require scenarios or videos to be watched which may be triggering.  It is not designed to replace the BTS Foundations training for whole church groups.  Please contact cpu-training@pcnsw.org.au for further information.