After a busy start to the year, it is good to be able to touch base with you about resources, upcoming changes and what’s on in the coming months.
If you are receiving this newsletter for the first time, we have included you because we would like you to have the latest BTS information to support you in your ministry role and together ensure that our churches are safe places for all people.
We hope this newsletter will be helpful, with information about:
Welcoming new CPU team members
WWCC verification, training completion and SRE authorisation
The Child Safe Standards and their relevance to audits
Additional training opportunities, including Domestic & Family Violence training, Mental Health First Aid, and proposed Train-the-Trainer sessions.
If you think you may have received this newsletter by mistake, or you would prefer to receive it to a different email address, please contact us directly.
In Christ, The Conduct Protocol Unit
WELCOME TO OUR NEW TEAM MEMBERS
We are pleased to welcome two new staff to the CPU team who have recently joined us.
Andrea Maggio
Training & Communications Manager
Andie was drawn to this role upon reading Jericho Road’s mission statement, based on Micah 6:8. With a background studying Clinical Psychology, Andie is passionate about seeking God’s biblical design for the flourishing, healing and protection of all humans, individually and relationally.
Andie brings to the team her previous experience in creating and presenting empathetic evangelism training to address commonly raised heart needs, and her overseas sports chaplaincy work.
Marikris Del Rosario
Administration Assistant
The CPU is thankful for Kris’ invaluable contribution as a temporary Admin Assistant while our Administration Manager, Awo, takes some well-deserved leave. With a background in both information technology and design, she brings a diverse set of skills to support the mission and goals of the CPU.
She is thrilled to work with an organisation that she considers dedicated and impactful, with friendly, approachable, and supportive staff.
MESSAGE FROM CPU DIRECTOR
Terry Georgeson
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
A year has already passed since commencing in the role of Director of CPU.
I am thankful for all the support I have received from the Jericho Road leadership, Liz McClean, Jon Flood and the CPU team.
Thank you for your patience while new team members have been onboarding and new systems are being implemented, including auditing, WWCC verification and SRE processes. I add my welcome to Andie and Kris.
We appreciate everyone who contacts us and works towards the goal of “making sure that all those working with children and young people are suitable and supported.” (Child Safe Standard 5).
We thank you for the messages of support and encouragement received.
As always, please feel free to get in contact with our team about any questions, concerns, or suggestions you may have.
I am passionate about creating a community culture of “psychological safety” in all aspects of our communications with each other.
The new Children’s Guardian, Steve Kinmond, spoke on “safe and accountable” organisational cultures at a recent Safe Ministry network meeting, expressing his appreciation for the work of many church leaders in implementing the Child Safe Standards.
Psychological Safety involves:
Feeling safe to talk about difficult issues in our congregations
Ensuring accountability from those in charge to create safe environments
Breaking The Silence [BTS] gives us a firm foundation to incorporate the Child Safe Standards; helping with preventing abuse, responding to allegations of abuse, and supporting all involved.
As we approach the middle of the year, may we be renewed in our faith, follow our Saviour ever more closely and continue to be His light in the world.
Blessings,
Terry
Information for BTS Representatives
We are thankful for the role that BTS Reps play in implementing BTS policy and procedures and ensuring all those serving are ‘safe to work’. Without your help, things can slip through the cracks. Please read and ensure you understand the information below which clarifies frequently asked questions and communicate it to anyone in your congregation who is involved in ministry.
SRE AUTHORISATION PROCESS
The first step prior to commencing a ministry role will always be to complete the BTS Foundations Training and have a valid WWCC which is verified by the CPU. Session can check the most current compliance list if a person is unsure if their WWCC or BTS training is still current when commencing a new role.
Once these steps are completed, the SRE applicant can begin the SRE authorisation process by speaking to the person who oversees SRE within their church, or a member of Session.
The Conduct Protocol Unit is responsible for:
WWCC Verifications
BTS Foundations Training completion
Provision of SRE Teacher and SRE Helper cards
Auditing of compliance
PYNSW is responsible for all other SRE matters.
For assistance with forms:
– please contact sre@pynsw.org.au or 02 9690 9379.
For assistance with Recognised Prior Learning: – please contact Roslyn Deal from PYNSW at roslyndeal@pynsw.org.au or 02 9690 9379.
For assistance with training, curricula or invoices: – please contact sre@pynsw.org.au or 02 9690 9379.
For any SRE Authorisation questions:
– please contact Roslyn Deal from PYNSW at roslyndeal@pynsw.org.au or 02 9690 9379.
Session will notify the CPU when the applicant has been authorised for SRE and request the CPU issue the SRE card. The CPU will mail the SRE card to the Session Clerk.
More information can also be found via the SRE website: pynsw.org.au/sre
WWCC VERIFICATIONS AND RENEWALS
WWCC Registration Forms need to be completed for first time registrations and for renewals. This enables the CPU to verify a person's WWCC and make sure that the correct details are on our system.
WWCC details should be submitted to the CPU by completing the Online Registration Form at the BTS Website: breakingthesilence.org.au/resources/registration Please contact the CPU if you are unable to submit an online WWCC registration form.
Please ask the person to use the same legal name on the form as their WWCC application.
The person whose WWCC is verified will receive a confirmation email from CPU.
The BTS Representative will also receive a confirmation email from the CPU.
Most importantly:
Whilst a person may have received their WWCC clearance number from ServiceNSW, under BTS they are not considered ‘safe to work’ until their WWCC is verified by the CPU. This is a legal requirement. This enables the Office of the Children’s Guardian to let us know if there is an issue with someone’s WWCC.
TRAINING
BTS Foundations Training should be completed every 3 years. When a person’s training expiry date is approaching, the BTS representative can remind them to complete their training again before the expiry date. This maintains their ‘safe to work’ status and avoids any disruption to their current ministry involvement.
In the years between Foundations Training, BTSRead and Review is to be completed by all persons working with children and young people and is strongly recommended for all people in positions of authority within the church.
Please remind training attendees to ensure full names are written clearly when attending in-person training.
Please remind people to use the same name as their WWCC application when completing online BTS Foundations Training to make sure that the details can be matched. Please ensure that people select the correct church from the drop-down menu, which is the primary church that they attend.
We appreciate your understanding during the recent backlog in providing training certificates.
CPU-run Training Sessions
BTS Foundations Training Sat 20th May 2023 – 2:00pm to 5:00pm Inverell Presbyterian Church 94 Vivian St, Inverell NSW 2360 Facilitator: Jon Flood
BTS Foundations Training Sat 27th May 2023 – 9:30am to 12:30pm St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church 5 Kinghorne St, Nowra NSW 2541 Facilitator: Terry Georgeson
Domestic & Family Violence Training See details for upcoming sessions below. Register soon as spots are limited.
BTS Foundations Training Sat 3rd Jun 2023 – 12:30pm to 3:30pm St Aidan’s Presbyterian Church
62 Coleman St, Wagga Wagga NSW 2650 Facilitator: Terry Georgeson
BTS Foundations Training Sat 24th Jun 2023 – 1pm to 4pm Macquarie ChapelPresbyterian Church 2 Herring Rd, Marsfield NSW 2122 Facilitator: Andrea Maggio
BTS Foundations Training Sun 25th Jun 2023 – 1pm to 4pm Wentworthville Presbyterian Church 5A McKern St, Wentworthville NSW 2145 Facilitator: Terry Georgeson
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
ADDITIONAL TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
TRAIN THE TRAINER
Equipping BTS facilitators to run Foundations Training more effectively
This will be a chance to help you respond to the FAQs raised by training attendees and receive your feedback on all aspects of the current course. Initially, it will run as a discussion group via zoom. A date will be set after receiving Expressions of Interest.
Presbyterian Church Offices 168 Chalmers St, Surry Hills NSW 2010 Facilitator: Fran Hotschilt Cost: $200
This is a non-CPU event.
If you would like to attend this special training event, please contact Hazel Nisbet at hnisbet@pcnsw.org.au
Are you aware that the CPU offers chaplaincy care?
When a person contacts the CPU to make a notification, they are often dealing with a situation that is confusing and distressing. In some situations, the CPU can suggest that the person receives support from our CPU Team Chaplain, Karen McMillan.
When Karen receives a referral from the CPU, she will listen and provide pastoral and spiritual support with acceptance and confidentiality. If needed, she can also assist someone in accessing the Presbyterian Counselling Service.
The CPU Team is thankful for Karen’s impact, as she brings 30 years of experience working in a range of Presbyterian pastoral ministries in both Sydney and regional NSW, alongside her husband Sandy. Currently, Karen also works as a Jericho Road Chaplain at Westmead Children’s Hospital. Together she and Sandy have three married daughters and four grandchildren.
The CPU Chaplain’s services are made available when someone makes a notification to the CPU. Our office number is 02 9690 9325.
Implementing the Child Safe Standards
How does our organisation meet Child Safe Standard 3?
Breaking The Silence is the Church’s policy and procedures for dealing with and preventing abuse. It incorporates Child Safe Standards now legislated in response to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.
How do we involve and inform families and communities?
This is how BTS aligns with Standard 3.
Churches, by their nature, facilitate this participation. In many cases parents are actively involved in the provision of ministry to their children. BTS states that activities must be open to parent or carer observation.
Churches, by their nature, facilitate this two-way communication. In many cases parents are actively involved in the provision of ministry to their children. It is mandatory that BTS posters and brochures are prominently displayed in each area of a congregation's properties. The BTS website is promoted and easily accessible. Contact details are listed on the posters and brochures that allow open communication outside the local congregation.
Families and others are encouraged to participate in the life of the church, for example to attend annual meetings and have their say, raise suggestions and issues with their minister and elders. The CPU receives feedback about BTS and takes this into consideration as policies and practices are developed and reviewed.
Churches operate according to the Presbyterian Church’s Code and Constitution which is freely available on the PCNSW website. Families can attend congregational meetings or ask the church elders to find out more. The church’s annual Report will also provide information about its operations.
What are some things you can think about to make sure you are complying with CSS 3?
Where are we displaying the BTS posters and making the brochures publicly available at the local church?
Do leaders create opportunities for parents and carers to influence child safe approaches?
How are parents and carers encouraged in formal and informal ways to have input into children’s activities and child safety?
What information is provided to parents and carers regarding the activities their children participate in?
The BTS Poster, along with other posters and brochures, can be downloaded from the Resources page of the website or by clicking below:
