ACC Safer Churches

ACC Safer Churches

No matter who we minister to, we want that ministry to be safe, encouraging and strengthening for both those being ministered to, and those who are serving within that ministry. In order to do this, ACC QLD/NT provides safer churches training workshops for credential holders, board members and volunteers in safer church ministry and a safer churches national helpline has been set up.

Safer Churches National Helpline: 1800 070 511

Safer Churches Training

All ACC Credential and Certificate holders are required to complete Child Protection Training to maintain their Credential/Certificate. A refresher course is required every three years, in line with best practice and accepted standards. Before commencing the credential process, Senior Pastors are to ensure that candidates have completed the required Safer Churches training.

ACC has developed the following training options in conjunction with Safe Ministry Resources (SMR) for all ACC people and pastors.

• Safer Churches Induction online.
  This training is a requirement for all ACC Credential holders, or those applying for a credential who have not completed the face-to-face Induction workshop. 
  This is in depth training and is also recommended for Board members and key team leaders, particularly those in Children’s or Youth Ministry. This training was updated this year to reflect the National Principles of Child Safety as adopted by COAG in February 2019. This edition also includes changes to legislation across several States and Territories.
  This training can be done individually or as a facilitated group.
  – Safer Churches Induction Online Course – click here

• Safer Churches Refresher online.
  All ACC Credential holders, or those applying for a credential must update their Safer Churches training every three years.
  This training is for those who have previously completed the face-to-face (or online) Induction workshop and includes updates to legislative requirements and best practice in Safer Churches ministry.
  This training can be done individually or as a facilitated group.
  – Safer Churches Refresher Online Course – click here

• Safer Churches Essentials for Volunteers online.
  This new training was launched in June 2019 to make accessing training of volunteers even easier for all churches.
  This training is suitable for all volunteers and covers:-
  • ACC Child Protection Policy and Safer Churches Guidelines team ministry,
  • boundaries, codes of conduct and duty of care
  • identifying and responding to concerns about harm
  This training can be done individually or as a facilitated group.
  This training is not suitable for ACC Credential Holders, or those applying for a credential.
  – Safer Churches Essentials for Volunteers Online Course – click here

National Police Check

As part of the ACC credential process, candidates are required to provide a National Police Check.

To apply for a police check online, please click here.

Local Church Safer Churches Resources

ACC local churches, as self-governing entities, bear the ultimate responsibility for implementing the ACC Safer Churches strategy in the church.

The ACC Child Protection Policy was adopted at the 2015 National Conference with an implementation date of 1 December 2015.

To assist ACC local churches and pastors with implementing the Safer Churches strategy, the tools and resources are available to download from our National website – Safer Churches.

If churches require any assistance or advice implementing safer church guidelines and procedures, please contact our ACC QLD/NT Safer Church Officer – Ps Gary Swenson

Blue/Ochre Card

All ACC QLD/NT credential/certificate holders and those who work or volunteer in ‘child-related work’ in an ACC church are required to hold a current Working with Children Card.

Please click on the below tab relevant to your State or Territory for more information or to apply for a Working with Children card.