Ensuring safe & inclusive
ministry for all
The Safe Church Initiative is the Diocese of False Bay's commitment to creating ministry environments where every person — regardless of age, background, or circumstance — can participate with dignity, safety, and confidence. We uphold the standards set by the Anglican Church of Southern Africa (ACSA) and take all safeguarding responsibilities seriously.
All licensed office-holders, clergy, Church Wardens, and Parish Councillors are required to comply with Safe & Inclusive Church guidelines, including signing a formal declaration and undergoing appropriate vetting. The documents and resources below provide everything you need to understand and fulfil these requirements.
Safeguarding is not merely a legal requirement — it reflects the Church's deepest values: that every person bears the image of God, and that our communities must be places of genuine refuge, accountability, and care.
Guidelines, policies
& forms
Everything you need to understand and fulfil your Safe Church compliance requirements.
All licensed office-holders and clergy are now required to sign a Safe and Inclusive Church Declaration. This document provides a full explanation of the Declaration, updated November 2023. A preview is available at the bottom of this page.
This document outlines the steps all incoming Church Wardens, Parish Councillors, and ministers must take following the Annual Vestry Meeting to comply with Safe Church guidelines. Updated February 2024.
These forms are used to verify whether individuals appear on South Africa's Child Protection Register and to report concerns about suspected abuse or intentional harm to children. Forms are available for both diocesan bodies and private use.
The Anglican Church of Southern Africa's comprehensive Safe Church Guide includes all the documents listed on this page, plus the Canons correlating to the Safe & Inclusive Church initiative. The definitive provincial reference for all safeguarding matters.
Safe & Inclusive Church
Declaration 2023
Preview the Safeguarding & Declaration document below, or use the download button in the resources section above.