Safety at St Jude's

Caring for one another in everything we do

Risk management in practice

Safety Is A Key Component

As part of our Parish Risk Management Program, safety is a key component. On this page we provide specific information in relation to four aspects of safety:

Protecting the vulnerable

Safe Ministry

As part of the Anglican Church, Diocese of Sydney, St Jude's Bowral is committed to protecting and promoting the physical, emotional and spiritual welfare and safety of all people, especially those who are vulnerable within our own church community.

All those with roles of authority, including Ministry and Office staff, Wardens, members of Parish Council and any volunteer program and activity leaders, have a verified Working with Children Check and have completed the Safe Ministry Course, with refresher training required every three years. We also encourage those working with vulnerable adults to complete Safe Ministry training. Records are kept to ensure that these accreditations are up to date.

The Safe Ministry Course is our Diocese's best practice in equipping those working with children and other vulnerable people with the knowledge and understanding they need to build a culture of safe ministry. Comprehensive information can be found in the Safe Ministry Blueprint for Churches, published by our Diocese.Blueprint link required

Sydney Anglicans policy statement

To ensure the safety of children and vulnerable people, the Anglican Church Diocese of Sydney, in conjunction with the Anglican Church of Australia, will:

  • carefully recruit and train its clergy and church workers
  • adopt and encourage safe ministry practices amongst its clergy and church workers
  • respond promptly to each concern raised about the behaviour of its clergy and church workers
  • offer pastoral support to any person who has suffered abuse
  • provide supervision and pastoral accountability.

If you have any questions about safe ministry or abuse of power at St Jude's, please get in touch and ask for the Safe Ministry Representative. Alternatively, you may contact the Office of Safe Ministry within the Diocese of Sydney.

To report abuse

Please contact the Police on 000, and / or the Office of Safe Ministry within the Diocese of Sydney on the 1800 774 945 report line, or report in writing by secure form. All reports are acted on promptly, although it is important to note that making initial contact does not commit you to anything.

Our Safe Ministry Representative will be glad to talk to you, give you full explanations and answer any questions you might have before you decide what you want to do.Safe Ministry Representative contact details required

Caring for those we serve

Food Safety

At St Jude's, we are committed to effective risk management, including food safety at all our events. Even though we are not a commercial food business, we are still required by law to meet the Food Standards Code. We follow these formal Standards so that we:

  • act responsibly by meeting our legal obligations and community expectations
  • act lovingly as Christians, caring for one another and ensuring no harm comes to those we serve.

Food safety practices have changed significantly in recent years. Food allergies and foodborne illnesses are now much more common, especially among children, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems. Our duty of care means taking every reasonable precaution to protect everyone who eats the food we prepare.

We have provided written guidance and face to face training for our volunteers involved with food handling, and have created an online video resource.

Online conduct

Social Media

St Jude's is committed to safe, respectful and accountable use of social media across our parish ministries and communications.Placeholder copy - client content required

Being prepared

Emergency Evacuation

We have developed emergency evacuation arrangements and designated responsible persons to serve as persons of authority in overseeing the effective implementation of our procedures as required.

We have also created an online video resource.Evacuation video URL required

Contact

Get In Touch With Us