St Matthew's Anglican Church is committed to the physical, emotional and spiritual welfare and safety of all people, particularly within its own community. To ensure the safety of children and vulnerable people in our communities, St Matthew's Anglican Church, in conjunction with the Anglican Church of Australia, will -
Carefully recruit and train its clergy and church workers,
Adopt and encourage safe ministry practices by its clergy and church workers,
Offer pastoral support to any person who has suffered abuse
Provide supervision of and pastoral accountability to any person known to have abused a child or another vulnerable person; and
Respond promptly to each concern raised about the behaviour of its clergy and church workers.
Volunteer Helpers and Leaders:
Once a person has agreed to take on a volunteer children's or youth ministry role, he/she must complete the following screening processes:
The prospective voluntary worker must be given a copy of Faithfulness in Service (or be shown how to gain electronic access to it) and followed up with appropriate discussion/training.
Training must have been completed within the last three years in Safe Ministry (Youthworks) or equivalent (Safe Church Training Agreement).
The prospective adult voluntary worker must obtain a New Working with Children Check clearance number from the Office of the Children’s Guardian and, most importantly, have the number verified by St Matthew’s.
Any prospective voluntary worker under the age of 18 years must sign a declaration that reads as follows: "I have never been convicted of, charged with or accused of sexual abuse of a child or young person." The declaration must be countersigned by a parent or guardian. The latest version of the Volunteer Application Form has the declaration incorporated.
Parent Helpers:
Parents who help with children or youth ministry should be screened, attend Safe Ministry Training and obtain a New Working with Children Check clearance number that must be verified by St Matthew’s. Parents attending activities with their own children only, are not required to be screened, attend training or obtain a clearance number.
Safe Ministry Representative:
St Matthew’s has a Safe Ministry Representative who can be contacted with any concerns or questions you may have regarding child or adult protection issues. For more information, or the name and contact details of the Safe Ministry Representative, please contact the St Matts office on 9479 3700.
Click here for a copy of the Safe Ministry Volunteer Application Form (Revised July 2014).
© 2026 St Matthews Church. All rights reserved.
