FOLLOWING Government Legislation all organisations are required to have in place by January 1, 2017, a Child Safe Standards Policy and Procedures.
A draft Policy and Procedures has been developed at St Bridget’s in consolation with the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne, Professional Standards and Ethics Department. This will be reviewed and ratified by the Parish Pastoral at its next meeting.
The Policy and Procedures apply to the whole of the Parish environment, they cover all issues of safety and protection from all forms of abuse and neglect
At St Bridget’s we hold the care, safety and well- being of children and young people as a central and fundamental responsibility of our Parish. Our commitment is drawn from and inherent in the teaching and mission of Jesus Christ, with love, justice and the sanctity of each human person at the heart of the Gospel. The Church’s social doctrine constantly points out the need to respect the dignity of children.
We are required to comply with the seven Victorian Child Safe Standards:
1) Strategies to embed an organisational culture of child safety, including through effective leadership arrangements;
2) A Child Safe Policy or Statement of commitment to child safety;
3) A Code of Conduct that establishes clear expectations for appropriate behaviour with children;
4) Screening, supervision, training and other human resources practices that reduce the risk of child abuse by new or existing personnel;
5) Processes for responding to and reporting suspected child abuse;
6) Strategies to identify and reduce or remove risks of child abuse;
7) Strategies to promote the participation and empowerment of children.
The Catholic Church has a moral, legal and mission-driven responsibility to create an environment where children and young people are respected, their voices heard, and they are safe and feel safe.
Whilst we have developed Policies and Procedures to ensure the safety of children and young people, it is the responsibility of all parishioners, clergy, staff, volunteers, parishioners in ministries and parents to ensure we continue to provide a safe environment for children and young people.
All parishioners should feel free (and have a responsibility) to report in confidence any issue or matter that they feel breaches child safe standards in our parish.
Once the Policies have been approved by the Parish Pastoral Council, they will be made available to parishioners on request. The Parish Pastoral Council will review the Policies and Procedures on an annual basis or as required by the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne from time to time.