Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. In the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne, we consider the safety and wellbeing of all persons to be our highest priority.

We too acknowledge that children, young people and adults at risk may require additional safeguards to promote their participation, wellbeing and safety.

Clergy, employees and volunteers are committed to upholding the right to safety of all persons, and participating in and creating a culture of safety supported by policies, practices and procedures that strive to prevent abuse in the first instance and to respond appropriately and effectively if abuse does occur. Across the Archdiocese, we respect the human dignity of each person and strive to create an inclusive and welcoming Church that enables its people to grow and develop in their faith freely and in a caring and supportive environment.

(https://melbournecatholic.org/safeguarding)

The Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne requires all parish group members to have:

• a valid Working With Children (WWC) clearance or a Victorian Institution of Training (VIT) card, and 
• complete the Safeguarding Essentials Training at the set frequency, and 
• sign the Safeguarding Children and Young People (SYCP) Code of Conduct at the set frequency. 

Some parish group members may also need to have a Criminal History Record Check (Police Record Check). 

SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE (SYCP) CODE OF CONDUCT:

All parish group members within the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne are required to sign a Safeguarding Children and Young People (SCYP) Code of Conduct. 

This is to be done every year for clergy or parish staff, and every three years for volunteers.  

You can sign this document in one of two ways: 

1) Online by visiting https://safeguarding.melbournecatholic.org and logging in with your WWC check/VIT number. 

2) Offline by visiting your parish office to sign the document in person. 

SAFEGUARDING ESSENTIALS TRAINING: 

All parish group members within the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne are required to complete Safeguarding Essentials Training. 

This is to be done every year for clergy or parish staff, and every three years for volunteers.  

You can complete this training in one of two ways: 

1) Online by visiting https://safeguarding.melbournecatholic.org and logging in with your WWC check/VIT number. 

2) Offline by contacting your parish office to arrange for an in-person training session. 

CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORD CHECK (POLICE RECORD CHECK):  

You belong to a parish group with a role that requires you to have a Criminal History Record Check (Police Record Check). 

This is required every 3 years (or every 5 years for VIT members). 

We do not have your updated details recorded in our system. 

Please contact the parish office for guidance in obtaining a new check.

Related documents:

Safeguarding and Wellbeing of Children and Young People Policy

Safeguarding statement of commitment of the St. Matthew's Parish