- The Diocese has adopted a general code of behaviour called ‘Being Together‘ which includes our commitment to treat people with respect and dignity, irrespective of ability, gender, sexuality, race, age or contribution to the church.
- The Diocese has adopted a code of conduct for clergy and church workers called “Faithfulness in Service” which sets out the standards expected by all engaged in Christian ministry. See the standards here.
- The Diocese has adopted minimum guidelines for ministry with children See the guidelines here.
- The Incumbent of every parish is responsible for ensuring that people are familiar with the expectations of “Being Together” and “Faithfulness in Service”
- The Diocese has adopted a Model Code of Conduct for governing bodies (see here).
- The Incumbent of every parish is responsible for ensuring that every person engaged in work with children and young people is informed about the minimum guidelines for ministry with children, is supported and supervised in their work, and has their ministry reviewed at least annually.
- The Diocese has adopted a Professional Standards process for dealing complaints of child abuse, sexual misconduct and criminal behaviour which operates alongside a Clergy Discipline Process.
- The Incumbent of every parish is responsible for advising other clergy and church workers in their parish about this process.
- The Diocese has adopted a complaints and grievance process for dealing with other complaints and grievances You can review the grievance process here.
- The Diocese also has a Ministry Issues process for responding to pastoral breakdown in a ministry context, clergy sick leave and other issues affecting the ministry setting.
- The Diocese will promote access to the Professional Standards Office and the Kids Helpline. You can review the contact information here.
- Every member of the clergy having a licence or permission to undertake ministry (except for a limited permission to officiate) and every lay person working in a child related role including teaching Special Religious Education is required to complete a full unit of Safe Ministry Training within six months of appointment and then complete a Safe Ministry Refresher Unit every three years. The Bishop may approve education completed in another Diocese as equivalent training. The normative form of education in the Diocese is the online training via http://www.openlearning.com/courses/safe-ministry-online-induction
Policy updated – 10 May 2021