Child Protection Training
Churches recognise and require Child Protection Training/Safe Ministry Training in addition to Working with Children Checks for all SRE teachers. Many churches cooperate to provide this training through the Safe Church Training Agreement (SCTA) Safe Churches
Basic Training Standard
The Department of Education requires that all SRE providers have in place a system of initial and ongoing training in the areas of child protection and classroom management for SRE teachers. Training and authorisation for SRE teachers is the role of the authorising agent (church)/approved provider. Approved providers determine the minimum training for the teachers they authorise.
ICCOREIS has set a benchmark for SRE training, called The Basic Training Standard. It has been endorsed by its member churches.
The Basic Training Standard includes:
- Module 1 – Teaching SRE in Government Schools
- Module 2 – Learning and Teaching
- Module 3 – Preparing and Delivering a Lesson
- Module 4 – Classroom Management
- Module 5 – Introduction to the Bible
- Module 6 – Classroom Experience
- Module 7 – Duty of Care
Training organisations *
The training provided by the following organisations addresses the majority of outcomes and competencies within the ICCOREIS Basic Training Framework for Primary School SRE teachers. (A number of Approved Providers also require their High School SRE teachers to do this same training plus additional training to incorporate matters appropriate to older students).
ICCOREIS members have the following training programs.
| Organisation | Name of course | |
| Anglican Youthworks | SRE Accreditation and Development Training | |
| Australian Christian Churches | Basic SRE Teacher Training | The following denominations have indicated that they use the Baptist Church training material for their SRE teachers:
|
| Christian Community Churches of Australia (NSW) (Brethren) | Special Religious Education Accreditation Training Program | |
| The Baptist Union of NSW and ACT | SRE Essentials | |
| Catholic diocese of Maitland-Newcastle | RENEW | |
| Catholic diocese of Wollongong | Level 1 SRE training CCRESS online training | |
| Presbyterian Church | PY Combined Christian SRE Teacher Training |
*Your denomination may already utilise one of these training options and/ or may recognise training done with one or more of these organisations
Proposed Minimum Standard Ongoing Training of SRE Teachers
It is assumed that all Christian Providers require Initial Training as part of their Authorisation of SRE Teachers. This proposal relates to Ongoing Training and the renewal of authorisation.
Christian SRE Providers recognise the need of Ongoing Training of SRE Teachers in the four areas of Child Protection (including Mandatory Reporting), Classroom Management, age appropriate and sensitive use of Curriculum, and Code of Conduct (including complaints procedures). (the Four Cs)
Christian SRE Providers will require some form of ongoing training to be complete at least every 3 years as a condition of renewal of authorisation.
Christian SRE Provider will promote ongoing training in at least one of the Four Cs – Child Protection (including Mandatory Reporting), Classroom Management, Curriculum, Code of Conduct each and every year.
This recommendation is based on best practice of Approved SRE Providers in accordance with NSW Department of Education – Annual Assurance Letter. Christian SRE Providers will communicate these expectations to potential recruits, newly authorised as well as existing SRE Teachers and monitor the ongoing training of all the SRE teachers and helpers they authorise and follow up on these expectations and requirements.
Recognition of Training
SRE providers are responsible for the initial and ongoing training of their SRE Teachers, as outlined and agreed upon in the DoE annual assurance document.
ICCOREIS/Christian SRE provides a minimum standard of SRE initial and ongoing training and recommends all SRE Providers align themselves with and/or meet that standard.
ICCOREIS/Christian SRE does not provide, certify, or endorse any initial or ongoing training for SRE Teachers.
ICCOREIS/Christian advises that SRE providers may choose to recognise initial and/or ongoing training by other SRE providers and/or training organisations.
ICCOREIS/Christian SRE encourages training organisations to inform applicants/participants to refer back to the SRE Provider that authorises them to confirm they recognise this training.
Upcoming Training
Check the Events page on the ICCOREIS website to see upcoming training opportunities.