(Photo: Celia Irving, Diocesan Standards Director)
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
I am writing to advise you of the appointment of Ms. Celia Irving as Diocesan Professional Standards Director (PSD).
Professional Standards is about a holistic approach to safe church ministry and the PSD oversees all aspects of prevention and response in the safe church area.
You may like to contact the PSD if you:
· have any questions about the Creating Safe Ministries Awareness and Refresher workshops or would like assistance in implementing any of the program resources in your parish or ministry unit
· would like to start a new ministry program and would like clarification on any Diocesan or legislative recommendations or requirements
· have any questions about the Diocesan policies and procedures related to the Safe Church area
· have any questions about how the various pieces of state or territory legislation may impact parish practice
· would like assistance in reporting concern or allegation abuse to a Statutory Body and/or the Police
· would like to notify the Diocese about an incident related to clergy or church workers
· would like to access to mediation for a conflict in your parish or ministry unit
· have a grievance about clergy or church workers and would like to make a complaint
· have concerns that clergy or church workers have breached the Code of Good Practice and would like to make a complaint
· have a person of concern (a person who has had an allegation of or conviction for a sex offence) in your parish and would like assistance in developing support plans for them
· have experienced trauma in your parish as a result of misconduct of clergy or church workers and would like to access support to assist in the healing process for your parish
From Celia: I have been worshipping at St James Holt since moving to Canberra from Sydney with our family in 1985. At St James, I am currently Rector’s Warden, Parish Council Chair and the Parish Safety Officer. Professionally I have a background in adult education spanning 30 years. Key areas include: communication skills, duty of care, child protection, safe practices and safe environments. I have contracts with the National Council of Churches in Australia as the Training & Development Co-ordinator for the Safe Church Training Agreement and St Mark's National Theological Centre RTO as a Course Developer and Trainer. In addition to these contracts, I also have other small training and development contracts with a few dioceses, denominations and a couple of community organisations and schools. I represent the Anglican Diocese of Canberra & Goulburn on the ACT Safe Church Network and the Tri-Diocesan Safe Church Interest Group. I have been part of the Diocesan team of presenters who deliver Creating Safe Ministries workshops since 2002. I also develop the workshop materials and train new presenters in our Diocese.
You may contact Celia on: 0427 533 159 or Diocesan office number. Email: celia.irving@anglicancg.org.au.
Please do pray for Celia as she takes on this challenging role.
For Jesus,
+Stuart.
