BST Safeguarding Children Conference 2026
Different Needs, Same Rights to Safety: Protecting Children with Disabilities in Your Church
Join us on Saturday 30 May for a one-day event that equips churches and ministries to prevent, identify, and respond to abuse of children with disabilities — with biblical wisdom and practical tools.
When: Saturday, May 30th, 2026
Time: 9:30am – 3:30pm
Location: Hills Church, 79 Queens Rd, Everton Hills
Cost: $80 per person, 10% discount for groups of 3 or more, morning tea and lunch included
What to Expect
Here’s what you can look forward to:
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- Keynote Sessions – Explore the theological, practical, and legal complexity of protecting children with disability in our two key sessions with experts in disability and criminal psychology.
- Elective Sessions – After lunch we are fortunate to be having two electives running concurrently from our keynote speakers. The details are below to help you get a head start on thinking about which one you would like to attend.
- From Vision to Practice: Implementing Safeguarding to Foster Belonging for Children with DisabilityThis workshop builds on the morning’s exploration of safeguarding and belonging by moving from theory to practical application. Together we’ll work through real scenarios, discuss existing practices, and develop concrete strategies for creating safer spaces in your specific ministry contexts. Participants will leave with actionable tools and frameworks for embedding safeguarding practices that genuinely foster belonging for neurodivergent and disabled children in their church communities.
- Seeing, Understanding, Supporting: How to have the hard conversations that are needed to support safety for young people with Autism
During this workshop we will explore the issues and challenges discussed in the morning’s keynote. Utilising practical case studies, and open discussions, the team will take you through how autism impacts someone’s risk of experiencing abuse or committing an offence, and what to do to prevent, respond and care well as a church. There will be practical tools on how to support families to talk with their children and young people with autism about puberty, sex, consent, and boundaries both in person and online.
- Resource Bookstall – Explore tools, literature, and materials to support your ministry.
- Connect with Ministry Workers – Build relationships and learn from others navigating similar responsibilities and challenges.
What a previous attendee said:
“Despite having completed mandatory child protection training many times over the years, I found my eyes were opened to a new level. Everyone should be encouraged to participate so that whole congregations have the awareness and strategies to keep our children safe.” Sandi Barclay, Previous Attendee
This is a conference we can’t afford to miss.
Limited spaces available — don’t miss out.
