The Berwick Church of Christ is committed to being a safe and welcoming place for everyone, especially children and those who are most vulnerable. Caregiving is a key tenant of the Christian faith and an important part of being a Christ follower.

This policy has been written to set direction under which we provide consistent caregiving that reflects the calling of Christ to love one another, and minister healing and freedom while complying with relevant legislation.

This Policy applies to everyone involved in a Ministry capacity and engaged in the act of caregiving, otherwise known as a Caregiver.

Relational caregiving outside of a ministry context is between persons not acting as a Caregiver and care receiver and does not fall under the covering or responsibility of the Church. Nonetheless people in this situation, for example after Sunday service praying with one another, may find the content of this policy helpful.

“Church” means Berwick Church of Christ.

“Elder” means a member of the governing body of the Church, as appointed under rule 11.3 of the Constitution.

“Staff” means all those who are employed by the Berwick Church of Christ.

“Caregiver” means anyone aged 18 or over giving care within a ministry context either as a staff member or volunteer. This includes Pastors, Elders, and Ministry Leaders, such as Life Groups, Prayer Ministry, as well as volunteers acting under a Pastor or Leader in a recognised place of authority.

“Ministry” is an activity or team that expresses the purpose, mission, vision and values of the Church in any setting, where any person would reasonably associate you as representing the Church.

"Private Settings" means any place where other people are not in the vicinity or area.  This includes but is not limited to:

• An individual office when no other staff are working (i.e. out of normal business hours);
• Any room, area or location at the Church when no one else is nearby or on the premises;
• At a home, with no other family or household members present;
• In a motor vehicle.

“Vulnerable Individual” is a child under the age of 18 years or an adult who is or may be unable to take care of themselves or protect themselves against harm or exploitation, in respect of capability, capacity, environment or circumstance. Refer to the ACNC definition of vulnerable persons or people https://www.acnc.gov.au/tools/topic-guides/vulnerable-persons-or-people.

1.  What is Caregiving?

Caregiving in general terms would be any form of assistance formally given to an individual by a representative of Berwick Church of Christ that constitutes help in affairs relating to their wellbeing.

It includes:

• helping people live life in all its fullness, in the strength of and according to the example of Jesus (John 10:10-11).
• teaching, equipping, leading and guiding God’s people (1 Peter 5:2) to spiritual maturity
  (Ephesians 4:11-13)
• occasionally it involves, some degree of admonishment in accordance with Scripture
  (1 Thessalonians 5:11; 2 Timothy 3:16-17)
• strengthening, comforting, encouraging and urging believers to live a life of faith that is pleasing to God (1 Thessalonians 2:12 & 3:2).
• helping others by listening, responding, praying or providing practical support.

2.  Values of Caregiving

• The caregiving values support the organisational values of being loving, helpful, hopeful and humble. We demonstrate God’s love and care for every person in grace and truth.
• Caregiving needs to be rooted in love, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. (1 Corinthians 13:4, Galatians 5:22)
• We provide care with the utmost humility, kindness, gentleness and patience (Colossians 3:12-17).
• With an emphasis on listening more than speaking (James 1:19-27).
• We recognise that we give care in partnership with the Holy Spirit, who comforts and guides us into all truth, is the only one that can transform us to be Christ-like, and shows us where we need to repent and change our ways. (John 16:13)
• Caregiving is not judgemental but compassionate and facilitates forgiveness. (Matthew 7:3-5)
• Caregiving protects and does no harm. (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)

3.  Principles of Caregiving

Caregiving:

• responds to signals of distress (spiritually, physically, emotionally or interpersonally) and checks whether the person is requiring care before it is acted upon
• discerns if there is any potential imbalance of power in the relationship
• aims to always have someone of the same gender involved in the caregiving process
• when in a private setting, always has someone of the same gender involved, by either:
  • organising for a Carer of the same gender as the client to attend;
  • being accompanied by someone of the same gender as the client; or
  • in an unavoidable situation, setting up an accountability arrangement (i.e. inform a Pastor).
• is seen as part of our mission and therefore includes faith-based practices like:
  • prayer,
  • laying on of hands,
  • anointing with oil,
  • encouragement to follow biblical practices,
  • sharing of resources,
  • establishing supporting relationships, and
  • ministering deliverance as the individual requires of us.

Caregivers:

• Should not force themselves or caregiving on any individual.
• Should give feedback as soon as possible to their leader or Pastor, anytime they have concerns or questions about an incident related to a caregiving situation.
• Point people to Christ and encourage them to seek God for their needs. (Matthew 7:7;
  1 Thessalonians 4:12)
• Avoid situations that may compromise one’s reputation and/or integrity (i.e. one-on-one situations, driving someone home in a car, visiting someone on your own, etc.).
• Are mindful of a person’s emotional and spiritual state.
• Seek God’s wisdom in how to pray and lead in any given situation.

Important for all caregivers:

a. When praying for someone, in the area of sexuality, allow them to use their own words in areas of forgiveness and repentance.

b. Ensure that when anyone seeks advice, that you provide biblical examples/teaching and personal opinions/experience only. At no point are you to expressly tell someone what they should or need to do, or what their decision should be in any situation. The individual must be able to make their own decisions.

c. Acknowledge when the care needed is beyond your capacity and capability and requires more experienced help or professional support. Seek professional support options through the relevant Pastor or Ministry Leader.

4.  Responsibilities of a Caregiver

• Ensure you know the Leader to whom you are accountable to in each Ministry setting where you serve, as well as ensuring you know your role and understand what is expected of you in any position you hold.
• Understand the parameters of your delegated authority in held positions
• Be a Partner or seek to become a Partner by attending a Partnership Class within 6 month.
• Know the vision and mission of the Church.
• Undergo Training as requested by the Church.
• Maintain your spiritual health.

5.  Duty of Care

• The Church takes seriously the care of children and vulnerable people. Caregivers must read all relevant policies and sign the Code of Conduct, which includes obtaining a valid Working With Children Check (WWCC). All policies are available on the Church website.
• Caregivers engaged in caregiving to children under the age of 18 years or to vulnerable people are required to undergo Awareness Training within 6 months of them commencing in their role/ministry.

6.  Mandatory Reporting

As a Caregiver, if you form a reasonable belief that a sexual offence has been committed in Victoria by an adult against a child under 16 years of age you must report that information to police unless you have a reasonable excuse. A reasonable excuse may include fear for safety or where the information has already been reported. A Caregiver where appropriate should advise the person receiving care of such obligations. Penalties exist for failing to do so.

Please refer to the policy document “Mandatory Reporting for Pastors, Staff, Leaders and Volunteers (Updated in 2020)” located on the church website - berwickchurch.org.au/policies.

7.  Confidentiality

Notwithstanding Mandatory Reporting, the Caregiver is not at liberty to share confidential information with their spouse, family, friends, or other Caregivers, other than the relevant Key Ministry Leader, Pastor, Safety Contact Person and/or Elders. However in the course of caregiving it may become apparent that it is of benefit to the person receiving care to have another Caregiver with particular gifting or skill involved. This should be discussed with the person receiving care and if appropriate the relevant authority above them.

Where a Caregiver forms a reasonable belief that a vulnerable person may be at risk of harm, they are ethically bound to take action to protect the safety and wellbeing of that vulnerable person. A Risk of Significant Harm Form must be completed and submitted to the Safety Contact Person and any immediate danger must be reported to the Police by calling 000.

I acknowledge that I have read and understand the Caregiving Policy and other relevant policies (included in the Policy Induction), and I agree that in the course of my acting as a Caregiver, in any setting representing the Church, that I will undertake to conduct myself in accordance with this Policy.  I also understand that there may be disciplinary measures and/or legal consequences if I am found to be in breach of this Policy.