Children's Ministry » News

Australia 2nd Best Country for Mums

Rowena — Fri, 07 May 2010 04:35:54 +0000

04 May 2010 | 11:07:43 AM | Source: AAP

Australia is the second best country in the world to be a mum but it’s a different story for children, a new report has revealed.

Best and worst countries to be a mum

On the eve of Mother’s Day celebrations, the annual Save the Children report places Australian mothers second only to Norway on key economic, education and health scores.

With an average life expectancy of 84 years and an expected average 21 years of formal schooling, it says Australian women are well placed to give their children the best chance of survival, at least by international standards.

But the report highlights the difference in child mortality rates among Aboriginal children compared with their white counterparts, with three times more indigenous children dying before their fifth birthday.

Save the Children’s Dr Annie Pettitt, who specialises in child rights, said that while Australia’s report card was encouraging, more maternal health workers were needed to cut the child mortality rates.

“An important first step would be to tackle the shortfall of almost 2000 midwives in Australia, especially in remote and rural areas where we know the shortage is greatest,” she said in a statement.

“It would be great if every pregnant mother had access to a midwife or doctor and every sick child had the option to see a doctor in a clinic, but in developing countries around the world, and even in Australia, that is not the reality.

“Without putting more women on the front lines of health care provision, the world will never overcome the extreme shortages that are deadly for many children and women.”

The report also highlights war, violence and lawlessness as critical barriers to the well-being of mothers and their children.

In the 10 bottom-ranked countries, women face disadvantage at every level, with little education, low income ratios to men for equal work, and a high likelihood of losing at least one child.

It says that in Afghanistan fewer than 15 per cent of births are attended by trained health workers in a country where women earn 25 cents or less for every dollar men earn, and where a typical woman receives less than five years of formal education.

The State of the World’s Mothers report points out that the troubled country has seen a 20 per cent drop in maternal deaths between 2000 and 2008 as a result of a government-funded midwife program.

Despite this, Afghan women face a one in eight lifetime risk of dying of pregnancy-related causes, compared with one in 13,300 in Australia.

NSW Child Protection Legislation Changes and New, Interactive Working with Children Check Website

Rowena — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 03:11:57 +0000

The NSW Commission for Children and Young People has recently launched a new, interactive working with children check website with updated information to reflect new laws with respect to working with children and young people. The new website follows a question and answer format to help people understand the requirements for the many varied volunteer/employment situations, as well as providing information for parents.The main practical change for volunteers is that the existing child protection declaration for working with young people 0-18 years – the Prohibited Employment Declaration also known as an ‘Attachment 4’ or ‘PED’ – has been replaced by a Volunteer/Student Declaration. The Volunteer/Student Declaration is available from www.kids.nsw.gov.au/check and is designed to be completed online and then printed for signing.

For those who have already completed an ‘Attachment 4/PED’ for their current volunteer position, it remains valid*, but for a new volunteer (from the 31^st March 2010) the new Volunteer/Student Declaration* will need to be completed.

Another major change is that volunteers who mentor disadvantaged young people or provide for individual personal care for disabled young people now need consent to a ‘working with children check’ via an Applicant Declaration and Consent, instead of just signing the Volunteer/Student Declaration.

We encourage you to check out the new NSW Commission for Children and Young People website (www.kids.nsw.gov.au/check) which is now easier to navigate and provides ready access to further information and the forms mentioned above.

*Volunteers providing more intimate personal care will need to complete the new Applicant Declaration and Consent to continue to meet the requirements.

First Aid in Church

Rowena — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 23:59:27 +0000

The following is an article extracted from the Aug 2009 Issue of ‘What’s Up?’, A newsletter created by the Synod of SA for people in ministry with children and their families. The article raises some good questions that can guide you in providing a safe place for children.

What’s Up?

Mary Jo recently attended a First Aid course run by St John. It turned out to be an enjoyable, non threatening, and helpful experience. And it got her musing. In our duty of care for children in our churches:

Ø Do I know who among our regular attendees is qualified to administer first aid or CPR?

Ø Should there be a list posted prominently so ushers/stewards and Sunday school leaders know who to call on?

Ø Is someone with this training present at all events involving children?

Ø Do we have an adequate first aid kit? Do all our Sunday school (kids club, playgroup) leaders know where it is?

Ø Do we understand that where parents/carers attend an activity with their children, they have primary duty of care for their child in the case of an accident or injury but if parents are not present, it is our responsibility?

Ø Do we always know how to contact parents when they leave their children with us?

Ø Do we know of any medical conditions of the children that need ongoing monitoring or that might impact on the first aid administered in case of an emergency?

Ø Is there a phone available at all times for ringing 000 in case of an emergency?

Ø When did we last do an assessment of the building and surrounds to spot potential hazards? Have we dealt adequately with these hazards?

Ø When did our leaders and First Aid officers last browse through the Uniting Church of SA’s Called to Care document? Has everyone acted to fulfil their responsibilities? Have I fulfilled my responsibilities?

If any of this resonates with you. If you are already doing some of the things suggested or have other ideas, please let us know at the Resource Centre, so we can pass on your ideas to other What’s Up readers. rccfm@bigpond.com

Forum 2009 – Valuing Volunteers

Rowena — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 05:07:05 +0000

Forum – Recruiting and Keeping Volunteers. sponsored by ICCOREIS

When: On Monday 31st August, 9.30 – 3.45

Who: This event is primarily designed for SRE coordinators and ministry coordinators (such as children’s and youth ministers), but would be equally relevant to leaders of ‘not for profit’ agencies which rely heavily on volunteers for the bulk of their staffing.

Where: The venue is Trinity Chapel, Robert Menzies College, Macquarie University, Macquarie Park. The site is easily accessible by public transport as well as by car.

What: The keynote speaker is Mr Michael Ryan, who is a lecturer in the School of Education at the Australian Catholic University (ACU). Michael has been working in the area of Volunteering in Community Organisations – enhancing volunteer capacity.

A feature of the programme will be a selection of workshops presented by ICCOREIS members. There will also be the opportunity to buy resources.

Cost: ICCOREIS will be heavily subsidizing the cost of the day to keep it at an achievable level for participants who already give very generously to the work of SRE. The registration fee, which includes morning tea and lunch, will be only $10.

REGISTER NOW

30th Anniversary of United Nations: International Year of the Child

Luke — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 07:31:57 +0000

Surely a time to celebrate the contribution of children to the life of the church and challenge the church to fresh vision, inspired by the spirit of the child. Visit Year of the Child 2009