Our Lady of the Pines Donvale holds the care, safety and wellbeing of children as a fundamental responsibility of our parish. 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.

A culture of safety within our parish ensures that children can actively and fully participate in the life of the Church and realise their potential in a faith community.

Our Commitment

Our parish is committed to upholding the safety and dignity of each child and young person and ensuring that they are able to grow and develop in a caring and supportive environment within our parishes.

Our parish is committed to ensuring that all persons who have, or may be expected to have, contact with children and young people acknowledge their responsibility to safeguard children and young people from abuse and discrimination.

 CODE OF CONDUCT

SIGNED PRIEST STATEMENT OF COMMITTMENT

Child Safe Policy

Our Parish adopts the Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy developed by the Archdiocese of Melbourne.

 Reporting and Responding to Child Abuse

Each and every one of us has a duty of care to protect children and young people from harm, and respond to and report all concerns, allegations or complaints of child-safe related misconduct and/or child abuse.

Reporting Abuse or Safety-Related Misconduct Flowchart - New doc link

Safeguarding Children & Young People Reporting Procedure - Attach doc

Resources for Volunteers

Volunteers are the backbone of our friendly and inclusive parish. The Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne requires that clergy staff, parish volunteers and regular contractors hold a current Working with Children Check registered with the parish. Clergy, staff and selected parish volunteers will also be required to hold a valid Police Check.

Safeguarding and Wellbeing of Children and Young People Policy

Safeguarding and Wellbeing of Children and Young People Policy

Training

All clergy, staff and parish volunteers will be required to complete an on-line training session on Child Safety. The training sessions are facilitated by the Archdiocese of Melbourne's Safeguarding Unit.

Safeguarding Essentials Training Module

www.safeguarding.melbournecatholic.org - link

To login, each volunteer will need:

• Their unique Working with Children Check ID
• An email address

To register, volunteers will need to select their parish from the dropdown menu as their Primary Organisation of Service

Further Resources for Parents and Carers

Child Safe Organisations: Guide for Parents and Carers

Protecting Gods Children Resource

Staying Safe Online Information Sheet

The Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne's Safeguarding Children, Young People and Vulnerable Persons Framework

Safeguarding information is available from the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne in the following languages: Arabic, Burmese, Croatian, Italian, Malayalam, Polish, Chinese, Spanish, Tagalog and Vietnamese.

Safeguarding information for people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds - attach link

Safeguarding Committee

The Safeguarding Committee of joint parishes Ss Peter and Paul and Our Lady of the Pines comprise of the following members:

Father Toan Nguyen – Parish Priest

Maria Carey – Pastoral Worker/Parish Administration, OLOP

Annewee Tan – Parishioner, SSPP

Kathy Stewart – Parishioner, OLOP

Ellen Pearson - Parishioner, OLOP

Parish, agency and entity safeguarding responsibilities - attach link