All those involved in providing a children’s ministry program or activity must complete ANNUAL training in PresSafe policies and procedures. This includes Helpers, Leaders, Ministry Coordinators, Ministers, and those deemed Managers by the Act (e.g. Committee of Management members and Elders).
Most training will be conducted in person by accredited trainers, however an option for online training is also available, if required. Please contact your Ministry Coordinator for more information.
Four separate programs of training have been created:
Basics
Leader
Coordinator
Overseer
Basics
Helpers, Morning Tea providers, One-off Speakers, Boat Drivers, Camp Cooks, Committee of Management Members and anyone assisting Children’s Ministry Leaders are required to undergo Basics training on an annual basis.
Leader
Sunday School Teachers, Youth Leaders, and anyone directly teaching or providing activities to children are required to complete Leader training. This training provides a fuller understanding of Child Safety and Risk Management, and sets out the responsibilities of a Leader in PCQ ministries.
Anyone completing PresSafe Leader training, will only need to re-complete this training every three years (though the option is available to complete it annually.) As all individuals involved in PCQ ministry to children are required to complete annual refresher training, they can use the PresSafe Basics Training as their annual refresher in the intervening years.
Coordinator
Ministry Coordinators, Ministers, and anyone delegated by Session to undertake Supervisory or Administrative roles in Children’s Ministry will need to complete the PresSafe Coordinator training (Previously they had needed to complete Coordinator as well as Leader Training. As of March 2023 these have been consolidated into one training module.) The Coordinator course gives more detail about their role in implementing and managing the PresSafe Policies and Procedures.
Anyone completing PresSafe Coordinator training, will only need to re-complete this training every three years (though they are also welcome to complete this annually.) As all individuals involved in PCQ ministry to children are required to complete annual refresher training, Leaders, Ministry Coordinators and Ministry Supervisors/Administrators will use the PresSafe Basics Training as their annual refresher in the intervening years.
Overseer
Elders (and some Committee and Board members) must complete Overseer training every year. This short course outlines the important Child Safety responsibilities of Session, and some other committees. This training is compulsory for all Elders in Charges that have children’s ministry.
Please note: If an elder is involved directly with children’s ministry (as a team member), they will need to complete PresSafe Leader Training in addition to PresSafe Overseer Training. If an elder is a Ministry Coordinator, they will need to complete the training requirements for a Ministry Coordinator – PresSafe Coordinator training (PresSafe Overseer not required as content is contained within Coordinator training.)
PresSafe Training Table
Below is further information about who needs to do what kind of training.
