Safeguarding Children

STATEMENT

The emotional, physical and spiritual safety, well-being and dignity of children is an integral part of the teachings and values of the Catholic Church. The Archdiocese is wholly committed to ensuring the safety, well-being and dignity of all children, and acknowledges its important legal, moral and spiritual responsibility to create a safe and nurturing environment for those children.

The community has very clear expectations in matters relating to child protection and expects children will be protected from all forms of harm including sexual, physical and psychological harm, ill treatment and neglect.

The Archdiocese supports these expectations and strives to promote the safety and protection of children and other vulnerable persons in its care.

Policy on the care, well-being and protection of young children and young persons

PROCESS TO APPLY FOR A WORKING WITH CHILDREN CHECK:

1. Go to https://www.ocg.nsw.gov.au/child-safe-organisations/working-with-children-check
2. Once you have accessed the website, click on “Apply for your check”. That will open up the online application form which will ask you for your personal details. It takes about 5 to 10 minutes to complete the form. The information you give on this form must match your “proof of identity” document (e.g. your driver’s licence). In the section, “purpose for the check”, make sure you click “volunteer”.
3. You will receive an application receipt number, beginning with APP.
4. Go to Service NSW Office with your APP number and proof of identity (eg. a NSW Drivers Licence).
5. The parish must verify that you have received a WWCC number once approved.  Please forward your WWCC details with your date of birth to admin@lanecoveparish.org.au.  Your WWCC will be valid for 5 years.

POLICIES

The Safeguarding and Ministerial Integrity Office was established in the Archdiocese of Sydney in November 2015. The role of the Safeguarding Office is to raise awareness regarding our collective responsibility to protect the safety, well-being and dignity of children, young people and vulnerable adults within the Archdiocese of Sydney and to respond swiftly and compassionately in circumstances in which children are harmed or at risk of being harmed.

The focus of the Safeguarding Office is the prevention of abuse and harm to children, young people and the vulnerable within our Archdiocese.  To this end, the Safeguarding Office has been developing and delivering training programmes on a range of Safeguarding protocols and procedures that work together to protect children from harm. These protocols and procedures embody the inherent values of the Catholic Church.

CHILD PROTECTION

NSW Government legislation requires people working with children to obtain a Working With Children Check. The Archdiocese requirement includes parishioners who are Catechists, Readers at Mass, Ministers of the Eucharist, Wardens, Senior Servers, Sacristans and volunteers involved in Children’s Liturgy.

Volunteers who require a WWCC are also required to complete and sign a Volunteer Registration form and Code of Conduct form. An online training course comprising 2 x 20-minute sessions also needs to be undertaken. This will be arranged by the parish office. All Volunteers require an interview at Parish Office.

The Parish Safeguarding Noticeboard also has more information.

CODE OF CONDUCT

This Code of Conduct seeks to raise awareness amongst people working with Children in the Archdiocese about their obligations under Child protection legislation, and to assist them to create a Child-safe environment for Children who engage with the Catholic Church. This Code should be read in conjunction with the Archdiocesan Child Protection Policy which is embodied in the safeguarding training, policies, protocols and fact sheets relevant to Child-related work within the Archdiocese.

A message from the Archdiocese of Sydney.

Child sexual abuse is a crime. The appropriate people to deal with a crime are the police. If you – or anyone you know – have been abused, please contact the police. Alternatively, you can contact the Safeguarding and Ministerial Integrity Office at (02) 9390 5810 or safeguardingenquiries@sydneycatholic.org.

You may also want to speak to your Parish Priest who will be able to provide support and guidance. The Archdiocese has a legal obligation to report crimes to the police.

For more information, please go to the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney website at https://www.sydneycatholic.org/safeguarding-and-child-protection/