Safeguarding
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The parishes of St Patrick's Lilydale & St Brigid's Healesville
SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE POLICY
POLICY ADMINISTRATION SCHEDULE
Policy OwnerDirector, Professional Standards Unit Policy Application All clergy, employees and volunteers of the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne (excluding staff of Catholic Education Melbourne, Catholic Development Fund, CatholicCare, Villa Maria Catholic Homes and Schools of the Archdiocese) Approval Authority Catholic Archbishop of Melbourne Inaugural Approval Date 9 July 2019
Replacement of CAM Child Safety Policy and
May Our Children Flourish Code of Conduct for Caring for ChildrenNext Review Date Version 1 may be subject to amendment prior to the annual review date of July 2020 as a result of: - relevant feedback from stakeholders
- legislative changes
- a review of critical incidents
Related documents and Policies Working with Children Check Protocol
National Police Check Policy
Privacy Compliance Advice
Email and Internet Protocol
Social Media Policy
Workplace Bullying Policy
Sexual Harassment Policy
Code of Conduct for Employees of Diocesan Agencies
Introduction
The Catholic Church has a mission-driven moral and legal responsibility to create nurturing environments where children and young people are respected, where their voices are heard, and where they feel safe and are safe.
Duty of care
The Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne (CAM) holds the care, safety and wellbeing of children and young people as a fundamental responsibility of the Church. This commitment is drawn from, and inherent to, the teaching and mission of Jesus Christ, with love, justice and the dignity of each human person at the heart of the Gospel.
Right to safety and participation
A culture of safety within the Church ensures that children and young people (defined as a person under 18 years of age) can actively and fully participate in the life of the Church and realise their potential in a faith community. CAM has a zero tolerance for all forms of child abuse and maltreatment and is committed to protecting children and young people from harm.
Child abuse
Child abuse or maltreatment is defined as an act (or series of acts) that endangers a child or young person’s physical or emotional health or development and/or a failure to provide conditions to the extent that the health and development of the child or young person is significantly impaired or placed at risk.
Categories of abuse and maltreatment include:- physical abuse
- sexual abuse including grooming
- emotional abuse including spiritual abuse
- family violence
- neglect
- discrimination
- bullying
Signs and indicators of child abuse or maltreatment are not always obvious. Physical abuse may be more visible than other forms of abuse (e.g. bruising). Neglect is harder to identify as it consists of a failure to provide adequate care and attention. Likewise, you may not witness discrimination or bullying in relation to disability, mental illness, family violence, skin colour or race, gender identity or sexual orientation. However, it may result in signs or indicators in the child’s behaviour, for example social withdrawal and depression.
All children and young people are vulnerable but there are some children and young people who have an even higher risk of abuse than the general population. They are children who have experienced abuse before or who have a disability, are from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, those experiencing poverty or homelessness or out of home care. Similarly, the child safety needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people are more acute due to a history of racism, marginalisation and dispossession.
Dignity of children and young people
CAM values the contribution and dignity of all children and young people and creates opportunities to involve children and young people in decision-making about programs, activities and events that affect them. CAM recognises that the need for empowerment of all children and young people, especially those at greater risk of abuse. Their involvement in decision-making can be a significant protective factor in preventing abuse within Church organisations.
Informing and involving parents (and guardians) in promoting child safety
CAM acknowledges that effective child safety within parishes, agencies and entities cannot be undertaken without the involvement of parents (and guardians) and seeks to engage parents as critical partners in promoting the safety of children and young people. The involvement of parents and guardians of children and young people who are more vulnerable to experiencing abuse is particularly important.
Safeguarding children and young people within the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne
CAM acknowledges that preventing child abuse requires proactive approaches across policies, procedures and practices consistent with the requirements of the:- Child Safe Standards and the Reportable Conduct Scheme (Commission for Children and Young People, Victoria)
- National Principles for Child Safe Organisations (Australian Human Rights Commission)
- National Catholic Safeguarding Standards (Catholic Professional Standards Limited)
This policy provides a broad overview of the framework and should be read in conjunction with supporting resources e.g. implementation guidelines, factsheets, templates.
The application of this policy extends to clergy, employee and volunteer behaviour within the context of their role within the Church: within the physical boundaries of CAM (e.g. churches, parish halls, presbyteries); beyond the physical boundaries including pastoral support, visitation or outreach on non-church property (e.g. hospitals, detention centres, prisons, homes), online or via digital environments and while travelling outside the Archdiocese whether locally, interstate or overseas.
Safeguarding responsibilities
Through the Professional Standards Unit, the Archbishop supports and assists parishes, agencies and entities to:- implement safeguarding practices and processes outlined in this policy
- coordinate the response to allegations and reports of child safety related misconduct and child abuse in relation to clergy, employees and volunteers across the Archdiocese
- monitor and continually improve safeguarding practices and processes.
CAM parish, agency and entity leadership is responsible for ensuring compliance with this policy and relevant procedures and practices within each parish, agency and entity to protect children and young people. The PSU will require the leadership of each parish, agency or entity with its Safeguarding Committee to summarise its compliance with the requirements of this policy on an annual basis.
The Safeguarding Committee established within each parish, agency or entity plays a central role in assisting the parish priest, or agency or entity leader with implementation of the requirements of this policy.
Further, as safeguarding children and young people is a collective responsibility; all persons in ministry, working or volunteering within CAM acknowledge their individual responsibility to comply with clear behavioural expectations to act in manner that is caring, respectful and safe toward children and young people.
Every member of the clergy, employee or volunteer within the Archdiocese has a moral, legal and ethical responsibility to care for, and promote the wellbeing of children and young people, and protect them from harm or abuse.
This applies to all those involved in Archdiocesan parishes, agencies and entities including:- clergy, including all canonical administrators of a parish (e.g. bishop, parish priest, assistant priest, migrant chaplains, visiting clergy, priests in residence, supply clergy, deacons)
- Sisters, Brothers and Religious Priests holding an appointment from the Archbishop to undertake work in parish or Archdiocesan entities
- employees (including casual employees)
- lay ecclesiastical ministers including pastoral associates, those engaged in chaplaincy
- volunteers
- seminarians
- persons residing at the presbytery or on the grounds of the parish, agency or entity
- students on placement
- contractors (where applicable)
Safe personnel
Selection, recruitment and screening
CAM in seeking to provide safe and enriching interactions with children and young people within the context of parishes, agencies and entities, sets out selection, recruitment and screening processes that consider the suitability and appropriateness of persons to work with children and young people in ministry or in an employment or voluntary role to minimise the risk of child abuse occurring.
Child safety code of conduct
A specific child safety code of conduct provides guidance to clergy, employees and volunteers in the context of their involvement with children and young people in their parish, agency or entity role.
Induction
Induction processes incorporate safeguarding awareness to build a foundation of understanding and commitment to the safety of children and young people.
Safeguarding Training
In supporting clergy, employees and volunteers to promote the safety of children and young people and discharge their responsibilities in line with this policy, CAM provides a range of training and education activities that equip clergy, employees and volunteers with the skills and knowledge to promote the safe participation of children and young people.
Supervision
It is a requirement of this policy that those whose roles involve working with children and young people are provided with supervision and support to undertake their role in a manner which promotes the safety of children and young people and enables detection of behaviour that may be detrimental to children and young people.
Safe programs, activities and events
Child safety risk management
CAM parishes, agencies and entities safeguard children and young people by employing a risk management approach that systemically identifies and assesses risk associated with programs, activities and events involving children and young people to minimise opportunities for harm to occur.
Practice and behavioural guidelines
In addition to risk management process, parishes, agencies and entities utilise guidance provided in practice and behavioural guidelines in relation to conducting programs, activities and events involving children and young people.
Responding to and reporting child abuse
The safety of children and young people is paramount. All concerns, allegations or complaints of child abuse will be taken seriously, and acted upon consistent with the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne’s moral, ethical and legal obligations to safeguard children and young people.
In Victoria, the following legislation governs how adults should respond to child abuse:- The Children, Youth and Families Act 2005 (Vic) defines when a child is in need of protection (s 162) and the mandatory reporting obligations of certain professionals working in our community (ss 182, 184).
- The Child Wellbeing and Safety Act 2005 (Vic) sets out the Reportable Conduct Scheme.
- The Crimes Act 1958 (Vic) creates the offences of ‘failure to protect’ (s 49O) and ‘failure to disclose’ (s 327) which place additional legal responsibilities in relation to reporting, if a reasonable belief has been formed that a child or young person is at risk of or experiencing child sexual abuse.
Children and young people (and their families) within CAM have information and support to report a concern, allegation or make a complaint through processes that are accessible and respectful.
It is a requirement of this policy that CAM clergy, employees and volunteers, make a report if they have formed a reasonable belief that a child or young person has experienced abuse, is experiencing abuse or is at risk of harm in the course of their ministry or work. Not reporting child abuse or misconduct that places children and young people at risk of harm is a breach of the Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy.
Making a child abuse report involves notifying statutory authorities and the Professional Standards Unit (PSU) of the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne in a timely manner (as soon as practicable after forming a reasonable belief, unless the child or young person is in imminent danger).
Reporting to the PSU ensures that parishes, agencies and entities across the Archdiocese report and respond appropriately to concerns, allegations of complaints in relation to safety of children and young people.
All reports are to be documented on the Child-safety Related Misconduct and/or Child Abuse Report Form and emailed to the Professional Standards Unit – [email protected] – as soon as practicable.
In Victoria, alleged child abuse perpetrated by:- clergy, employees and volunteers is reported to the Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation Team (SOCIT) within Victoria Police
- a family member is reported to Child Protection - Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)
- a child or young person is reported to Child Protection (DHHS) and/or the SOCIT (Victoria Police) (e.g. sexually harmful behaviour, aggression, violence, online exploitation).
VICTORIA POLICE
Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation Team (SOCIT): www.police.vic.gov.au/content.asp?Document_ID=36448
CHILD PROTECTION (DHHS)
North and West (Metro) region: 1300 664 9777
South region: 1300 655 795
East region: 1300 360 391
West (Rural) region: 1800 075 599
After-hours and weekends: 13 12 78
PSU’s role in relation to reports of alleged child-related misconduct and/or child abuse
The Professional Standards Unit (PSU) is responsible for coordinating child-safety related misconduct and child abuse reports in relation to the safety and wellbeing of children and young people and liaising with statutory authorities.
The PSU will be guided by the recommendations of Victoria Police and/or Child Protection in relation to any action that may be required to promote the safety of those involved and the integrity of the investigation process.
CAM has a legal responsibility under the Reportable Conduct Scheme to notify current and historical incidents of suspected child abuse or misconduct of clergy, employees and volunteers to the Commission for Children and Young People (CCYP).
Serious misconduct and/or criminal behaviour will be reported to the Reportable Conduct Scheme (Commission for Children and Young People) and/or Victoria Police and be subject to internal investigation and disciplinary action (and/or administrative action subject to the requirements of Canon Law for members of the clergy).
Disciplinary action is determined by the seriousness of the misconduct.
Disciplinary action in the case of employees and volunteers may consist of:- counselling
- training
- a verbal or written warning
- suspension (with or without pay)
- dismissal.
- pastoral supervision
- counselling
- suspension of faculties
- permanent removal of faculties
- recommendation to the Holy See for a penal precept or dismissal from the clerical state (laicisation)
- excommunication.
The safety and support needs of all parties involved in a report will be considered and addressed as part of this process.
The PSU will centrally record and monitor child-safety related misconduct and/or child abuse to provide the Archbishop with oversight in relation to the safety and wellbeing of children and young people across the Archdiocese.PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS UNIT- hours of operation: Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm
- phone: 9926 5630
- email: [email protected]
VOLUNTEERS AT our PARISHESIf you volunteer for any of our Parish Ministries or Groups you will need a Working with Children Check (WWCC) Card and to sign the Code of Conduct Form. Click links below if you have not completed these
WWCC Link
Code of Conduct Declaration Form to be signed
If you already have a WWCC card, login in to "Mycheck", click "change my details", and then click "add an organisation". If you do not have a WWCC card, click "Apply for a Check". In both cases follow the prompts and add details as follows:
St Patrick's Parish 65 Clarke St Lilydale VIC 3140 9739 5977 or St Brigid's Parish 15 High St Healesville 3777 9739 5977.
Under the field Child-Related Work, choose "64-Religious Organisation".
Could you please provide the Parish Office with your WWCC details so we can complete and update our records.
If you don't have access to the internet please call either the Parish Office on 9739 5977 or the "Working With Children Check" on 1300 652 879.