Coastal

City Beach : Roger has volunteered in our parish to organise the risk management. We have made a list of risks and the level. He is working on more! We have some of them on a priority list to be addressed when we renovate the church - eg uneven carpark, sloping steps and asbestos roof. Roger has been to the seminar and has experience of implementing risk management at the TAFE where he is a lecturer. He is liaising with the building committee and Parish Council. So it's happening.

North Beach: Parish Council had done an inspection of the properties and is up to date with repairs and maintenance of hazards.

Scarborough: We now have policies and procedures (available on our Web site) for:

• fire and emergencies, (fire drills conducted on 20 June and 4 July, all current users of St Columba's have been trained in reporting, and evacuation procedures)

• protection of Children (ongoing training for 8 key leaders involved with children and youth)

• reporting and addressing incidents and hazards (hazard book kept in Foyer)

• privacy (ensures confidentiality)

We are currently working a policy for reporting suspected incidents of abuse.  We have appointed Janet as the Safety Officer for the Parish and she is working systematically through the manual.

Woodlands/Wembley Downs: John is following through on Risk
Management for the parish and has prepared a Risk Management policy. They have addressed a number of issues in the parish and place articles in the pew sheet each week.

Carine / Duncraig: We have put over a dozen people through an AYM child protection seminar and got police clearances and diocesan clearances for them. One of our wardens has presented a report to Parish Council and a working party is underway.

Karrinyup: Several years ago the Church Council appointed one of its representatives to govern the ‘Risk Management Portfolio’ for the Council. On the basis of our own internal audits several points of risk management were identified and addressed.

• The Church Council installed security lighting to the external doors of the Rectory, and improved the external car park lighting at the front of the church building.

• The Council had a professionally designed and installed monitored security system fitted to the main church building. This followed four break-ins in three years. The system is armed in the evening and disarmed in the morning. There have been no further burglaries.

• The Council had also taken the initiative to move the Church bank account to Bankwest so that we had access to the Night Safe facility at Karrinyup Branch. The Sunday collections once counted and collated are then immediately deposited in the Night Safe following the morning services. Council has also discussed improving the money management system on Sunday mornings to ensure that collections are not left open or unattended at any time. Action has been taken. More could be done.

• Council adopted a policy of having no money left on the church premises, and a sign at the front door makes that policy clear. ‘No Money, Safe or Valuables Kept on the Premises.’

• Council had professionally made and installed wheel chair ramps provided for the external doors of the main building.

• Council adopted a policy in the Sunday School that at no time would children be left in the care of only ONE teacher or carer.

The Protecting People – Protecting Property Simple Audit issued by the Diocese in October 2003, was completed and circulated to the Church Council, and the Church Wardens each given a copy for their own records and information. Given the nature of the buildings at Karrinyup, the previous issues of risk management already addressed, and the local demographics, there were no major issues arising from the Simple Audit assessment.

Karrinyup Anglican Church hosted the Deanery Risk Management Seminar organised by the Northern Region representative Fred Acott.  The Rector and both Church Wardens attended.  Issues arising for Karrinyup Anglican Church from the seminar included:

• The need to keep a Key Register of authorised key holders.
  Coupled with this item was the need to keep a Security Code Register of those who can arm and disarm the church security system.

• The need to have main locks re-keyed after about five years, to ensure no unauthorised key holders have access to the buildings.  Coupled with this item was also the need to change the security system codes – same reasons.

• To explore the possibility of identifying valuable equipment that could be stolen in the event of a break-in by either engraving or data dots.

• The need to develop an Incident Reporting Register to record any events of note that happen to people or the facilities at Karrinyup Anglican Church for future reference. This item requires the development of suitable strategies of (i) HOW to respond to the event(s) and (ii) HOW to record the event.

Council is in the process of taking action on these items.

________________________________________

Swan Deanery

Bellevue Darlington – This parish has created a separate working group called Parish Growth Group, to deal with Risk Management. The Building & Grounds Committee is also vigilant for risk problems that they can rectify.

Ellenbrook – Due to the fact that this parish meets in the local Catholic School Chapel at the discretion of the Principal, risk management is handled by the host church. The secretary & treasurer are hoping to work with their new Priest to rebuild & do what they can to rectify this area of accountability.

Gingin Chittering – Although difficult to manage Risk Management because of distance and location, Red’s Duncan Pierce has attended Fred Acott’s presentation at Swan Parish, and continues to be vigilant.

Guildford This Parish is trying to arrange for a visit by Fred Acott to understand the requirements of Risk Management. During the last six months they have been attending to smoke alarms, exit doors & escape routes.

Kalamunda Have a copy of the “Risk Assessment Manual” available.
With two occupational therapists & a government employee, this parish has embraced what is required of them enthusiastically. They have created their own manual, & cross referenced it with the recommended manual, have held evacuation & fire drills. A team of three parishioners report regularly to Parish Council, parishioners are informed of regular updates in church bulletins & announcements to update everyone with new procedures & equipment.  Inspections are invited to see their Risk Management at work. They are waiting eagerly for a meeting with Fred Acott.

Lesmurdie Have a copy of the “Risk Assessment Manual” available.
One parishioner has taken on the responsibility for Risk Management. David reports regularly to Parish Council. Upgrades to equipment, property & reporting systems are being handled as soon as they can be accommodated.

Midland This Parish is in the process of reviewing all policies which includes Risk Management. Parishioners are aware of identifying & rectifying risks.

Mundaring A Pastoral Assistant has been appointed to look after Risk Management, the next Parish meeting will cover the subject in depth. The Parish is aware of expectations in this regard and is in the process of making things happen to effect change.

Swan This parish is extremely pro active & aware of their duty in Risk Management. The task is handled by the Rector’s Wardens’ on a daily & weekly basis as needed, but a team has been given the job of arranging the various upgrades required. This is the only parish to have the Hazard Identification & Reporting Policy laminated, displayed, with forms readily available for anyone to report items needing attention or action. Because of the heavy costs involved in attending to current regulations, work is being carried out in order of priority, as funds become available.

Swan Deanery Meetings

Clergy have discussed and addressed Risk Management matters from time to time at their meetings.

Comments Participants contacted for this report were pleased to see that this initiative has been followed up for a report after being asked to implement this review.

All participants requested a copy of the Risk Management Manual for their parish. Changes in clergy & people doing these jobs has caused misplacing of many copies of the manuals.

It was requested that this important information, presented by Mr Fred Acott be made available at gatherings of large numbers of people example conferences, Synod instead of small groups at parishes.

________________________________________

Morley Deanery

Dianella - All grievance procedural information in place. Their treasurer has been given responsibility for risk management.

Bassendean - Videos available for fire extinguisher usage. Risk and Hazard reporting in place.  One concern is that if a hazard is pointed out and there are no funds available to enable repair what should the parish do? Eg potholes in driveways.   All those who have dealings with children are police cleared and guidelines are in place re child protection.

Lockridge - Lockridge wardens have both read the manual and had discussions with Michael Wood.  Annual risk assessment reviews will be made at the time of the AGM in accordance with the guidelines in the manual.  A hazard/incident reporting book is in situ in the church for use by everyone and there is a permanent reference to this in the pew sheet.

Beechboro We have clear emergency exit signage and have done one practice exit.  We have decided to create a Hazard Reporting Book, but have not implemented it yet.  Our children's ministry work is so ad-hoc at the moment that we have not implemented anything of a formal nature.  Basically the Wardens as a group have taken responsibility to implement and monitor this issue in the parish.

Morely The church plant has been assessed as complying with risk management policies to a high degree.  Risk Management policy and procedures are to be included on the next Parish Council agenda.
Police clearance forms have been distributed for completion and will be processed shortly.

________________________________________

Gnangara Deanery

Balcatta/Hamersley Seminar attended, plant assessed, actions needed listed, actions costed and prioritized and being addressed. e.g. dangerous trees removed, fire safety officer and police inspection of building and action taken to bring up to standard (fire extinguishers, fire blanket, exit signs), incident book, building security etc.

Greenwood/Kingsley Sth Seminar attended, committee formed to address issues, reported to Parish Council, recommendations being worked through.

Ballajura Warden & priest met with Fred Acott, some actions re safety have been implemented. Procedures for dealing with money established and Sunday School moved into main area of church as a protective behaviour measure.

Balga/Girrawheen Worked through questionnaire with Wardens and addressing outstanding safety issues. Emergency evacuation procedure established.

Yokine Risk Management officer appointed. Emergency evacuation procedure established, guard rails fitted on ramp/steps, relocated people with poor mobility near exits.

Mt Hawthorn/Osborne Park Risk Assessment officer appointed, buildings assessed and reported to Parish Council, recommendations acted upon.

Mirrabooka Currently following up on Police Checks for all council members and parishioners involved with children's ministries and finance. Ian Green is employed in this field and will be making an assessment soon.
________________________________________

Joondalup Deanery

Sorrento Currently operating out of a health centre building and therefore they are covered by the health centre’s risk management policies and procedures.

Whitfords Comprehensive risk management and occupational health and safety policy. Emergency evacuation procedure in place which has been practised. All people who work with young children are screened via police clearance. All issues are adhered to re insurance policy ie key holders list.

Quins

Brighton As this parish operates out of a school building they are covered by the school’s risk management policy.

Wanneroo Thorough and complete review done and action taken where necessary according to suggestions at seminar and in policy folder. All lay workers applications for police clearance request forms are just about in for our group application to the diocese.

Kingsley/Woodvale A Risk Assessment officer has been appointed. Completed Police clearance forms are being collected and will processed in the near future.

Yanchep Police Clearances have been previously submitted for personnel who have dealings with youth and these are being expanded to include pastoral assistants and parish council.
Risk management is an agenda item for the parish council meetings.

Joondalup Risk Management is regularly discussed at Parish Council meetings to ensure focus remains on this subject. The congregation have been made aware of fire exits etc.

Heathridge They have been visited by Joondalup Shire and have been deemed to conform with all the council’s risk management requirements. All persons dealing with children are related to schools and are therefore already police cleared.

Kallaroo All covered apart from the evacuation plan which is currently being worked on.