Safeguarding
Safeguarding at St Simon’s Parish
Our Commitment
At St Simon’s, the safety, dignity, and wellbeing of every person—especially children, young people, and adults at risk—is our top priority.
We follow the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne’s Safeguarding Framework, which upholds zero tolerance for abuse and ensures all concerns are taken seriously. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility—clergy, staff, volunteers, and parishioners alike.
What Safeguarding Means
We work to maintain a safe parish environment by following these key principles:
- Prevention – Policies, procedures, training, and oversight help prevent harm.
- Behaviour Standards – All parish personnel follow the Archdiocese’s Code of Conduct, treating everyone with respect, dignity, and care.
- Safe Environments – Activities with children and vulnerable people are supervised, transparent, and follow the “never alone” rule.
- Reporting & Response – Any concerns are reported promptly, and appropriate action is taken in line with Church and legal requirements.
- Training & Accountability – Volunteers, staff, and clergy complete regular safeguarding training.
- Cultural & Individual Sensitivity – We respect diversity and ensure the voices of children and vulnerable people are heard.
For Volunteers & Ministers
To support a safe parish environment, all volunteers involved with children or vulnerable people are required to:
- Hold a valid Working With Children Check.
- Complete the Safeguarding Essentials training and recertify every three years.
- Sign the Safeguarding Children & Young People (SCYP) Code of Conduct.
- Follow parish safeguarding procedures and reporting guidelines.
- Maintain ongoing awareness and respect for safe practices in all ministry work.
Reporting Concerns
If you become aware of any situation that may put someone at risk:
- In urgent or life-threatening situations, call 000 immediately.
- Report to the Parish Safeguarding Officer or the Archdiocese Safeguarding Unit.
- Confidentiality is respected but must not prevent reporting according to legal and Church obligations.
Contact Safeguarding Unit (Archdiocese of Melbourne):
Melbourne Catholic Safeguarding Unit
Support & Resources
The Archdiocese Safeguarding Unit provides guidance, support, and oversight for all parishes. All safeguarding policies, forms, and training resources are available online:
Melbourne Catholic Safeguarding Resources
If you have questions, concerns, or are unsure about your role or interactions, please contact the Parish Safeguarding Officer or the Archdiocese Safeguarding Unit directly.
Our Parish Safeguarding Officer is Newton Marques.
Parish Safeguarding Support Officer is Cyrilla D'Souza
Parish Safeguarding Admin Officer is Roseline Acker