Statement of Commitment
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National Principles for Child Safe Organisations
In February 2019, the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations were endorsed by members of the Council of Australian Governments. The principles aim to provide a nationally consistent approach to creating organisational cultures that foster child safety and wellbeing.
The National Principles reflect the ten child safe standards recommended by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, and are the vehicle for giving effect to recommendations relating to the standards. The National Principles have a broader scope that goes beyond child sexual abuse to cover other forms of potential harm to children and young people.
Visit the National Principles website (insert link)
Download the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations here
Download National Principles Summary here
About Us
The Catholic Diocese of Lismore is wholly committed to creating and maintaining an environment that is safe, supportive, caring and nurturing for all children, young people and vulnerable adults in its care. The role of the Safeguarding Office is to provide advice and support to parishes, agencies and ministries of the Catholic Diocese of Lismore to ensure the Diocese is safe for all. This includes;
- Embedding a culture of safeguarding for children and vulnerable adults;
- Implementing effective preventative systems and processes to ensure safe and supportive environments for children in its care;
- Educating the Catholic community on child protection and protective behaviours ;
- Support Diocese church personnel in managing and responding to safeguarding disclosures, suspicions and allegations.
If you or a person close to you has been abused by someone working or ministering within the Diocese of Lismore, we ask you to contact us. We will listen to you respectfully, offer support and discuss options you have available to you. To contact the Safeguarding Office, please phone (02) 6621 9444 or email safeguarding@lismore.catholic.org.au
Diocesan Safeguarding Office
Safeguarding Manager: Julie Patston
Safeguarding Officer: Sandie Johnson
Contact Us
Diocese of Lismore Safeguarding Office
Phone: 02 6621 9444
Email: safeguarding@lismore.catholic.org.au
Write direct (marked CONFIDENTIAL) to:
Safeguarding Office
PO Box 1
LISMORE, NSW, 2480
For any complaints that may relate to criminal conduct we also encourage you to contact NSW Police (Crime Stoppers) on 1800 333 000
For current immediate danger of physical or sexual assault, call 000 and ask for Police.
Complaints
Issue or Concern:
Child or young person currently at risk of significant harm
Who to Report to
NSW Police 000
Contact the Police first if the situation requires emergency assistance.
NSW Department of Communities and Justice Helpline 132111
If possible, discuss with your Parish Priest first and use the Mandatory Reporters Guideline.
https://reporter.childstory.nsw.gov.au/s/
Safeguarding Office – Diocese of Lismore
Where the alleged perpetrator is a church worker (paid or unpaid), or if you require information or support.
T: (02) 6621 9444
E: safeguarding@lismore.catholic.org.au
Issue or Concern:
Knowledge of relevant criminal offences
Who to Report to
NSW Police 000
Safeguarding Office
Diocese of Lismore
Regarding a church worker, paid or unpaid.
T: (02) 6621 9444
E: safeguarding@lismore.catholic.org.au
.Issue or Concern:
Child abuse by a church worker
Who to Report to
NSW Police 000
Contact the Police first if the situation requires emergency assistance
Manager/Parish Priest*
Safeguarding Office – Diocese of Lismore
T: (02) 6621 9444
E: safeguarding@lismore.catholic.org.au
*Do not report to the Manager/Parish Priest if the allegation is regarding them. Contact the safeguarding office – diocese of lismore if you are unsure of what to do in any circumstance or where an allegation is regarding the manger/parist priest
Policies and Resources
Safeguarding Standards
- Safeguarding Standards for Diocese of Lismore
Policy
- Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults Policy
- Youth Ministry Leaders Policy
- Managing Safeguarding Complaints Policy
- Acceptable Use of Electronic Communication Systems and Devices Policy
- Code of Conduct
- Complaints Handling Policy
- National Police History Check
- Recruitment Policy
- Social Networking Policy
- Volunteers Policy
- Working With Children Check Policy
Procedures
Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults Handbook
- Roles and responsibilities
- Recognising harm and abuse
- Responding to and reporting to harm or abuse
Resources (Drop down box):
- Factsheet: Mandatory Reporting
- Flowchart: Reporting a child who is at risk of significant harm to Department of Communities and Justice
- Concern-Complaint Form
- Fact Sheet: Reporting Crimes to the NSW Police
- Whistleblower Protection Guidelines
Prevention and Protection Practices
Resources (Drop down box):
- Frequently Asked Questions: Working with Children Checks
- Flowchart: Screening of persons working with children
- Checklist: Working with Children Checklist for Parishes
- Guideline: What is Child-Related Work?
- Fact Sheet: Who needs a Working with Children Check?
- Child related activities register
- Fact-Sheet: Reportable Conduct Scheme – Should this be moved to ‘responding to and reporting harm or abuse’ section?
- Flowchart: Reporting Reportable Conduct
- Volunteer Induction Checklist
Safe Activities and Parish Relationships
Resources (Drop down box):
- Guide to completing risk assessment for activities involving children
- Guidance document: Risk Assessment and Mitigation Strategies for Safe Environments
- Template: Risk Assessment and Mitigation Strategies
- Self Audit Tool
- Script for Use of Photographic / Video Recording
- Form: Photographic / Media Consent
- Guidance document: Behaviours to encourage and avoid
Other Documents:
- Child Safe Organisations – National Principles
- Australian Human Rights Commission – Convention of the Rights of Children
Safeguarding Office Newsletters:
- Safeguarding News – January 2020
- Safeguarding News – March 2020
- Safeguarding News – April 2020
External Agencies
- Mandatory Reporter Guide (MRG) Child Story Reporter
- Department of Communities and Justice
- NSW Office of the Children’s Guardian
- NSW Police
- NSW Office of the Advocate for Children and Young People
- National Children’s Commissioner
- E-Safety Commissioner
- National Office for Child Safety
- National Committee for Professional Standards in the Catholic Church
- NSW Catholic Professional Standards Office (directs to Archdiocese of Sydney website)
- NSW Keep Them Safe
- Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse
- NSW Ombudsman Keeping organisations delivering services to children under scrutiny
Documents
Click on any of the headings below to view the relevant document:
Towards Healing
Sets out the principles that must form the basis of the Church’s response to complaints of abuse and the procedures to be followed in responding to individual complaints.
Integrity in Ministry
A resource for those preparing for ministry in the Catholic Church and as a code of conduct and guide for reflection for those already in ministry. It sets out behaviour for clergy and religious to integrate into their day-to-day ministry and serves as a check-list against which they can review the quality of the ministerial activities in which they engage.
Integrity in the Service of the Church
A resource document of principles and standards for lay workers and volunteers in the Catholic Church of Australia. The document is not a code of behaviour but aims to provide resources which groups of Church Workers might use in developing their own specific guidelines, documents and processes.
Civil Claims for Child Sexual Abuse
Guidelines for responding
Ten points in Safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults
Adapted from U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
Safeguarding Training
We have a responsibility to ensure that the environments we work in are safe for ourselves and for those we work with. Safeguarding training is one way to uphold our commitment and dedication to safeguard all those within our community. The Safeguarding Office provides internal training for workers including clergy, religious, employees and volunteers. It is expected all workers undertake regular safeguarding training relevant to their role and responsibilities to ensure compliance is maintained within the Diocese.
The Safeguarding Office provides the following training:
| Level 1 |
Level 1 training provides an understanding of safeguarding, types of abuse, grooming behaviours, personal boundaries and how to respond to safeguarding concerns and disclosures. Level 1 Training is a pre-requisite for those workers who need to complete Level 2 Training. |
All Diocesan workers including clergy, religious, employees and volunteers, are required to undertake this training. |
| Level 2 |
Level 2 training aims to provide a deeper understanding of key safeguarding content, the skills to identify safeguarding risks, and effectively respond to safeguarding concerns and incidents. Level 1 Training is a pre-requisite for this training. |
Clergy and Religious are required to undertake this training. |
| Level 3 |
Level 3 training provides understanding of the outcomes and recommendations from the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, including Child Safe Standards and the obligations moving forward. Level 2 Training is a pre-requisite for this training. |
Clergy and Religious are required to undertake this training. |
Topic Training
| Mandatory Reporting and Reportable Conduct |
Available to all Diocesan workers. Level 1 Training is a pre-requisite for this training. |
| Understanding Grooming | |
| Online Safety | |
| Completing risk assessments | |
| Record Keeping | |
| Safe recruitment and selection practices |
SALT
Self-Administered Legal Training (SALT) online compliance training program, is an annual requirement for all clergy involved with schools. Modules include:
- Child Protection
- Discrimination, Harassment and Bullying
For more information regarding training sessions relevant to you, please contact the Safeguarding Office
P: 02 6621 9444
E: safeguarding@lismore.catholic.org.au
2020 Training Schedule click link
Organisations for Counselling and other Support
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