"Living and Breathing Child Safety"

At the Parish of Our Lady of the Valley we hold the care, safety and wellbeing of all as a fundamental responsibility. All people have the right to feel safe and protected from all forms of abuse and neglect. The care, safety, wellbeing and dignity of all are integral parts of the teachings and values of the Catholic Church. In particular, Sacred Heart, St Mary's and St Thomas the Apostle have an unequivocal commitment to fostering the dignity, self-esteem and integrity of children, the young and other vulnerable people, providing them with a safe, supportive and enriching environment to develop spiritually, physically, intellectually, emotionally and socially.

Our Partnered Parishes Safeguarding and Wellbeing of Children and Young People Policy, Code of Conduct and associated policies and procedures have a specific focus on safeguarding children, the young and other vulnerable people, against sexual, physical, psychological and emotional abuse or neglect within our parish environs, in parish related online communication and other parish related locations.

If you have concerns that a child, young or vulnerable person may be in an abusive situation or at risk of abuse, or if you wish to discuss a situation of abuse that may have occurred in the past, please contact Fr Steven Rigo, our Parish Priest, on (03) 9435 1543 or steven.rigo@cam.org.au, or email diamondcreekgreensboroughsafeguarding@cam.org.au – or contact our parish office on (03) 9434 7373. If a child, young or vulnerable person is in imminent danger, call Police on 000 immediately.

Listed below are the resources supporting child safety at the Parish of our Lady of the Valley.

How to Make a Report

• Reporting Abuse or Safety Related Misconduct

Annual Report to the Community

• Report

Guidelines and Commitment Statement

• Guidelines for Compliance
• Partnered Parishes Statement of Commitment

Expectations of Volunteers

• Expectations of all Parish Volunteers
• Role of Safeguarding Committee Member

Forms

• Application for a Working with Children Check
• Application for National Police Check
• Volunteer Registration Form
• Audit Tool
• Safety Concern Notification Form

Policies

• Safeguarding and Wellbeing of Children and Young People Policy
• Anti-Discrimination Policy
• Partnered Parishes Privacy Policy
• Record Keeping Policy
• Reporting Procedure
• Partnered Parishes Code of Conduct and Declaration

Risk Assessment Procedure and Form

• Risk Management Guidelines Version 2.4
• Risk Management Form Version 2.5

Online Training Modules

• Safeguarding Essentials Training Module