Safe Ministry Pledge

• Never abuse people especially children, youth, or other vulnerable people nor cultivate relationships in order to initiate or cloak abuse.
• Report to the appropriate authorities any behaviour that could be considered abusive. This includes speaking to my head ministry leader about behaviour by another leader.
• Never be alone with a child or young person in my ministry role where other adult leaders are not present.
• Never have children or young people to my home, or visit children or young people, in circumstances where no other adult is present, except with the permission of their parent or guardian.
• Never touch children or youth, in a manner which is inappropriate given their age, gender, cultural background, context or personal circumstances. Where I am unsure about what is appropriate I will speak to my head ministry leader first.
• Never physically discipline a child or young person in the course of my ministry.
• Never make alcohol, cigarettes or illicit drugs available to children or youth.
• Never develop special relationships with particular children or youth that could be seen as involving favouritism or any form of special treatment. .
• Never engage in any contact with children or youth, that is secretive (whether physical or through electronic media or in any other way).
• Never use electronic communication with children and young people in a manner inconsistent with the guidelines for appropriate use as set out in the Blueprint document when communicating with people under my leadership.
• Never become romantically involved with any participant in the youth or children’s ministry where I am a leader.
• Never take unauthorised photos, movies or recordings of anyone, especially a child or young person on church property or at church activities without church authorisation and the consent of their parents or guardians.
• Never view, possess, produce or distribute restricted material containing sexual acts or nudity; and never view, possess, produce or distribute any form of child pornography or child exploitation material.

• I shall complete Safe Ministry training every 3 years.
• Where required, I shall hold a Working with Children Check clearance obtained from the Office of the Children’s Guardian.
• I commit to read and regularly review the Safe Ministry Blueprint document best suited to my role (where your role is not identified by the Safe Ministry Blueprint you should read the Safe Ministry Blueprint for Parents and Church Members)
• If I fail to abide by the Safe Ministry Pledge I shall inform my senior minister or the Safe Ministry Team (the PSU) at the earliest possible opportunity.
• I understand that any breach of the Safe Ministry Pledge may lead to my being suspended or terminated from holding any role in relation to working with children, youth or other vulnerable persons in church ministries.

I have received and read a copy of the current edition of the Faithfulness in Service Code of Conduct of the Anglican Church Diocese of Sydney; and I understand that the Code applies to all clergy and church workers;

I understand that I must apply for a Working With Children Check (WWCC) through the NSW Office of the Children’s Guardian and provide the WWCC clearance number and expiry date before commencing work in the Diocese of Sydney. I understand that it is illegal to undertake child-related work in NSW without obtaining a WWCC clearance and providing this to the Diocesan Registry in order for verification to take place.

I understand that any material misstatement in or omission from this questionnaire may render me unfit to hold a particular or any office in the Church or to remain in employment in a Church body.