Review of process

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1. A review of process of the procedures contained in Parts 40 and 41 is available for complainants who are not satisfied with the response of the relevant Church authority. A review of process of the procedures contained in Parts 40 and 42 is also available for accused persons if they cooperated with the assessment process.
2. A complainant or an accused person who is entitled to a review of process may request in writing to the Director of Professional Standards a review of process within 3 calendar months of the completion of the process. The process is complete in relation to the complainant when either the Church authority gives its response to the complaint or if the Church authority fails to offer a response within three calendar months of the time when an assessment has been completed or the facts otherwise established. The process is complete in relation to the accused when the Church authority has made its decision concerning the future ministry of the accused in response to the complaint of abuse.
3. If the request is accepted, the Director shall appoint one of the Reviewers named by the Resource Group.
1. If the request is to be denied, the Director must first consult the other members of the Resource Group.
2. If any party objects to the Reviewer named, the matter shall be considered at a meeting of the Resource Group which may nominate another Reviewer.
3. The Director shall inform the Church authority that a review of process has been requested and approved. He or she shall also ensure that the complainant or accused person as the case may be, is informed that a review has been requested and approved. This only applies to accused persons who have cooperated with the process.
4. The review of process is an independent evaluation, not only of whether the procedures set out in this document have been properly observed, but also of whether the principles established in the first part of the document have been adhered to. A review of process is not a review of outcomes unless the Church authority requests the reviewer to consider this aspect of the matter.
5. The Reviewer shall determine the procedures for the conduct of the review.
1. The Reviewer shall have authority to interview all Church personnel concerned and will have access to all relevant documentation.
2. The Reviewer shall conduct the review expeditiously and certainly within three calendar months, unless the Director provides for a further extension of time.
6. At the end of the review, the Reviewer shall provide a written report with recommendations to the Resource Group. If the Reviewer considers that there has been a failure to observe the required processes, he or she shall indicate whether the decided outcomes ought to be called into question.
7. The Director shall provide a copy of the report to the person requesting the review and the Church authority. As soon as convenient, the Director (or delegate if appropriate) shall discuss with all parties the implementation of the recommendations.
8. The Church authority shall bear all ordinary and reasonable expenses of the review of process.

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National Committee for Professional Standards

Disclaimer Copyright Updated: 22 Sep 2009