Child Safety Policy

Vision Christian Family Last updated: September 2026 | In accordance with the Child Safe Organisations Act 2024 (Qld)

Our Commitment

Vision Christian Family is unconditionally committed to the safety, wellbeing and dignity of every child and young person who participates in our programs and activities. We believe every child has the right to be safe, to be heard, and to be treated with respect.

This policy applies to all pastors, paid staff, ministry leaders, volunteers and contractors involved in any Vision Christian Family activity or program. It is not aspirational — it describes how we operate.

Legal Framework

This policy is written in compliance with the Child Safe Organisations Act 2024 (Qld), which came into force for religious organisations from 1 April 2026, and aligns with the 10 National Child Safe Standards endorsed by all Australian states and territories.

From 1 July 2026, Vision Christian Family is also subject to Queensland's Reportable Conduct Scheme, which requires the reporting and investigation of allegations of child abuse or misconduct by our staff and volunteers.

Oversight of our compliance is provided by the Queensland Family and Child Commission (QFCC).

The 10 Child Safe Standards

Vision Christian Family implements all 10 National Child Safe Standards:

1. Child safety and wellbeing is embedded in our leadership, governance and culture

2. Children are informed about their rights, participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously

3. Families and communities are informed and involved in promoting child safety

4. Equity is upheld and the diverse needs of all children are respected

5. People working with children are suitable and supported to reflect child safety values

6. Processes to respond to complaints and concerns are child-focused

7. Staff and volunteers are equipped with knowledge and skills to keep children safe

8. Physical and online environments promote safety and minimise the opportunity for harm

9. Our child safe practices are regularly reviewed and improved

10. Policies and procedures document how we keep children safe

Universal Principle

Vision Christian Family is committed to culturally safe environments for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. We recognise the ongoing impact of historical injustices on families and communities, and are committed to ensuring our programs are genuinely welcoming, respectful and safe for all First Nations children and families.

Definitions

Child or young person — any individual under the age of 18 years.

Child abuse — any action that significantly harms a child, including physical, sexual, emotional or psychological abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

Harm — any detrimental effect of a significant nature on a child's physical, psychological or emotional wellbeing, regardless of how it is caused.

Peer abuse — harm caused to a child by another child or young person.

Church activity — any authorised Vision Christian Family program or event involving children, including (but not limited to) Kids Church, Youth, Holiday Kids Club, camps, and online activities.

Child Safety Officer — the Senior Pastor, who holds primary responsibility for child safety oversight at Vision Christian Family.

Eldership Representative — the nominated Eldership member responsible for child safety matters when allegations involve the Senior Pastor. Currently: Wendy Redshaw.

Crosslink Network — Vision Christian Family is a member of the Crosslink Christian Network. All reportable incidents are notified to the Crosslink Network Child Safety contact within seven days.

Principles

All staff, ministry leaders and volunteers at Vision Christian Family uphold the following principles:

• Every child has the right to be safe, respected and protected from harm

• The welfare and best interests of the child are always paramount

• Children's families are informed promptly of any allegation or incident involving their child

• Investigations into alleged abuse are conducted by police or child protection authorities — Vision Christian Family does not conduct its own investigation into criminal matters

• All concerns are taken seriously and responded to promptly and without prejudice

Screening and Recruitment

All people working with children at Vision Christian Family — whether paid or voluntary — undergo screening before commencing. This includes:

• A current Blue Card (Working with Children Check) issued by the Queensland Blue Card Services, verified through the Blue Card portal

• A National Police Check for all paid staff

• Completion of a child safety induction covering this policy, the Code of Conduct, recognising and responding to abuse, and mandatory reporting obligations

• Signing a declaration confirming no prior child-related findings, charges or investigations

No person may work unsupervised with children without a current, verified Blue Card on file.

Code of Conduct

All people working with children at Vision Christian Family are required to:

• Treat every child with dignity, respect and fairness

• Never be alone with a child in a private or unobservable setting (the two-adult rule applies at all times)

• Maintain appropriate physical and emotional boundaries

• Communicate with children only through official church channels

• Never photograph or film children without current written parental consent

• Report any concern about a child's safety to the Child Safety Officer immediately

The following conduct is strictly prohibited:

• Any form of physical, sexual or emotional abuse of a child

• Grooming behaviour of any kind

• Using personal social media or private messaging to contact children

• Sharing inappropriate content with children

• Retaliating against anyone who raises a child safety concern in good faith

• Failing to report a reasonable suspicion of child abuse

Responding to Concerns and Disclosures

If a child makes a disclosure to you:

1. Stay calm — your response matters to the child

2. Listen carefully without interrupting or asking leading questions

3. Do not promise to keep it secret

4. Reassure the child they have done the right thing

5. Report to the Child Safety Officer immediately

6. Record what was said as accurately as possible, in the child's own words

7. Do not discuss the disclosure with anyone other than the Child Safety Officer

Response Process for Different Concerns:

Immediate risk to a child: Call 000 first, then notify Child Safety Officer.

Physical or sexual abuse (alleged or suspected): Child Safety Officer notified immediately; police contacted; parents informed; Crosslink Network notified within 7 days.

Inappropriate behaviour (not physical/sexual abuse): Child Safety Officer investigates; parents informed; alleged person counselled; Crosslink Network notified within 7 days

Misconduct by the Senior Pastor: Eldership Representative (Wendy Redshaw) assumes all Child Safety Officer responsibilities; Elders convened; Crosslink Network notified within 7 days

Mandatory Reporting

Under Queensland law, all adults must report to police or the Department of Child Safety if they reasonably suspect a child has been, is being, or is at risk of being sexually abused. Staff and volunteers who are mandatory reporters must also report other forms of harm.

When in doubt — report. Reporting in good faith is always the right thing to do and is protected by law.

Department of Child Safety: 13 74 68 Police (emergency): 000 Police (non-emergency): 131 444

Reportable Conduct Scheme

From 1 July 2026, Vision Christian Family operates under Queensland's Reportable Conduct Scheme. This requires us to report and investigate allegations of child abuse or misconduct by our workers to the Queensland Family and Child Commission. The Child Safety Officer is responsible for managing this scheme.

Safe Environments

Vision Christian Family takes the following steps to ensure our physical and online environments are safe for children:

• All children's ministry spaces are visible and open — no enclosed or unobservable areas are used for children's activities

• The two-adult rule applies at all times — no adult is ever alone with a child

• Risk assessments are completed for all children's activities and reviewed annually

• Online communications involving children use only official church channels

• Leaders do not contact children through personal social media or messaging apps

How to Make a Complaint

Any child, parent, carer, congregation member or community member may make a complaint about child safety at Vision Christian Family.

Contact the Child Safety Officer: Tom Anderson (Senior Pastor) 📞 (07) 3282 3088 🌐 visionchristianfamily.au

If your concern is about the Child Safety Officer, contact: Wendy Redshaw (Eldership Representative)

For anonymous or written complaints: Submit via our website contact form or write to us at PO Box 605, Booval Fair Qld 4304

All complaints are taken seriously, handled confidentially, and responded to promptly. You will not be penalised for raising a concern in good faith.

Continuous Improvement

Vision Christian Family reviews this policy annually. Our Child Safety Officer reports on child safety practices to the Eldership each year. Any significant incidents are analysed to identify and address systemic issues.

This policy was last reviewed in March 2026 and is due for review in March 2027.

Related Documents

The following documents support this policy and are available to staff and volunteers on request:

• Code of Conduct

• Child Safety Incident Report Form

• Volunteer and Staff Screening Checklist

• Induction Checklist

• Risk Assessment Template

• Parental Consent Form

• Child Safety Complaint Form

• Training Record Sheet

Vision Christian Family is a registered non-profit organisation and member of the Crosslink Christian Network. Child safety compliance is overseen by the Queensland Family and Child Commission (qfcc.qld.gov.au).

For concerns about immediate danger, always call 000 first.