Child Safety Standards Action Plans overdue

The Child Safety Standards Thank You list has been updated with the names of congregations that have submitted their Child Safety Standards Action Plans or Child Safety ‘No Children’ Assurances as of 24 July 2025. You can find this list here.

We are still concerned about the number of congregations that are yet to submit a round 2 Child Safety Standards Action Plan or Child Safety ‘No Children’ Assurance. Furthermore, about 20 per cent of the church’s congregations have still not demonstrated any meaningful progress towards completing submissions. This is despite the elapsed submission deadline of 31 March 2025.

While we are sympathetic to the challenges congregations and volunteers are facing, it is time to prioritise this critical aspect of safety in our congregations. Recent events in the media highlight the vulnerability of children and the need to make conscious efforts to close any safety gaps in our communities. Your work in making our church a safe place does not just tick a box; it helps us create environments where children feel secure and cherished and where families sense a commitment to the wellbeing of children.

Further updates to the list will occur in early September.

If you cannot see your congregation listed and believe it should be, please contact the Safe Church Service Desk: phone 1800 418 588 or email safechurch@staging.lca.org.au

Alternatively, please speak with your church council or chairperson.

Tim Ross is the LCANZ’s Professional Standards manager.