Blackburn Presbyterian Church is a congregation of the Presbyterian Church of Victoria. We want everyone who comes through our doors to be safe here: children, young people, and anyone who is vulnerable.
Jesus welcomed children and warned severely against harming them. We take that seriously, so rather than simply telling you we are a safe place, here is exactly what we do.
Our commitment
We follow the Safe Church programme of the Presbyterian Church of Victoria. The PCV Safe Church Policy and Code of Conduct apply to everyone here who holds a position of authority or ministry, and to anyone who works with children. We also meet the Victorian Child Safe Standards and our reporting obligations under Victorian law.
Our Session is responsible for Safe Church at Blackburn Presbyterian. Our Safe Church Representative is appointed by Session. They keep the records, run the checking process, and organise the training.
Who is checked and trained
This is not just for people running children’s programmes. It applies to our minister, our elders, our deacons, our office bearers, our Bible study leaders, our music leaders, our Safe Church Representative, and any visiting preacher who leads our service.
All of our leaders hold a current Working With Children Check and have completed Safe Church training.
Anyone starting work with children has to complete the PCV Volunteer Approval Process first. That means proof of identity, character reference interviews and database checks. They cannot begin until the Safe Church Unit has approved them. The training itself covers how the Policy and Code of Conduct work in practice, and our leaders watch a refresher course every year.
Children in our services
We are a small church family, and for now children stay with their parents right through the service. There are activity packs and books at the back to grab. At the moment we do not run a separate children’s programme, a creche or a youth group, so parents look after their own children while they are here.
If that changes, every leader will be checked, approved and trained before it starts, and we will update this page.
If you have a concern
If you are worried about the safety of a child or an adult at our church, please tell someone. You will be listened to and taken seriously. You do not need to be certain before you speak, and there is no concern too small.
If someone is in immediate danger, call 000.
To report misconduct or abuse in the Presbyterian Church of Victoria, contact Kooyoora. They are an independent organisation contracted by the PCV to receive reports. You do not need to come to us first.
Kooyoora: 1800 135 246, enquiries@kooyoora.org.au, or report online
Social Services Regulator (Reportable Conduct Scheme and Child Safe Standards): 1300 310 778
Child Protection Crisis Line: 13 12 78
PCV Safe Church Unit, for compliance, checking and training: 0435 417 283, scu.compliance@pcv.org.au
At Blackburn Presbyterian:
Safe Church Representative: Carolyn Lewis, info@blackburnpc.org.au
Minister: Mitch Amoah, mitchamoah@blackburnpc.org.au
Or get in touch through our contact form.
One thing worth knowing. Our Safe Church Representative looks after compliance, records and training. They do not investigate reports. Those go to Kooyoora, or to the police.
The documents
You are welcome to read any of these.
PCV Safe Church Policy (v4, 2026)
PCV Safe Church Code of Conduct (v4, 2026)
PCV Safe Church Policy, Procedure and Practice Manual (v4, 2026)
PCV Safe Church Unit
Our compliance
Blackburn Presbyterian Church is Safe Church Compliant with the Presbyterian Church of Victoria. We have an appointed Safe Church Representative, our leaders hold current Working With Children Checks and have completed Safe Church training, and our records are up to date with the Safe Church Unit.
If anything here is unclear, or you would like to talk it through before you bring your family along, please get in touch. There is no question too small.