ST MARY'S CATHEDRAL PARISH SALE, HOLDS THE CARE, SAFETY AND WELLBEING OF CHILDREN AND ADULTS AT RISK

AS AN ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY RESPONSIBILITY

All children, young persons and adults at risk 1 have the right to feel & be safe, be heard and included in decisions affecting them.

If you are concerned that someone has been abused, is being abused, or is at significant risk of being abused in the future, you should immediately raise your concerns with of our Parish Safeguarding Officer, Tim Morrison via email at tim.morrison@cdsale.org.au. Alternatively you can contact Tim via the Parish Office: (03) 5144 4100 or email Sale@cdsale.org.au

Remember in an emergency situation, you can call the Police on 000 for help or advice.

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. ‘In the family, which is a community of persons, special attention must be devoted to the children by developing a profound esteem for their personal dignity, and a great respect and generous concern for their rights’ (Apostolic Exhortation, Familiaris Consortio, 26). Indeed, it was Jesus who, when his disciples were arguing among themselves about who was the greatest, directed his attention to a little child and said to his disciples,

‘Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me’ (Mark 9.37).

Volunteers

Every person who volunteers in any way within the church or the parish at all needs to:

• Hold a valid Working With Children Check (WWCC) card [2] with our Parish as a named Organisation
• Complete a Volunteer Information form [3]
• Return your signed form to our Parish Safeguarding Officer

By signing the Volunteer Information form, you are acknowledging that you have read, understood, and agree to abide by the Parish Code of Conduct [4] for the safety of children and adults at risk.

If you need any help with any of these forms, or any other safeguarding issue, please contact our Parish Safeguarding Officer, Tim Morrison 03 51444100 or email Sale@cdsale.org.au

[1] Bishop's Statement of Commitment or St Mary's Cathedral Parish Statement of Commitment (see above)

[2] Working With Children Check (WWCC) card. Website link https://www.vic.gov.au/working-with-children-check

[3] Volunteer and Code of Conduct form - refer to Recommended Links document

[4] Parish Code of conduct - refer to Recommended Links document

[5] Diocesan Safeguarding Policy - refer to recommended Links document

1 These are adults with diverse circumstances and experiences that increase the risk of abuse which include being elderly, having a disability, having mental illness, having cognitive impairment, having diminished capacity, having suffered previous abuse, being culturally, linguistically diverse or identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, experiencing transient risks such as bereavement or relationship breakdown or having an impairment that makes it difficult for that person to protect themselves from abuse or exploitation.

2 Personal information entered in your WWCC application is not passed on to the relevant organisations when you deal with the Department of Justice and Community Safety – It is up to the applicant to contact with the organisation.