Safeguarding: Children, Young People and Vulnerable Persons
At Saint Luke the Evangelist Catholic Parish Blackburn South we are committed to a safe and nurturing culture for all children and vulnerable persons in our Church. Saint Luke the Evangelist Catholic Parish Blackburn South holds the care, safety, well-being of children and vulnerable persons as central and fundamental responsibilities of the Church. This commitment is drawn from and inherent to the teaching and mission of Jesus Christ, with love, justice and the sanctity of each human person at the heart of the Gospel.
We adhere to the Victorian Government's Child Safe Standards https://ccyp.vic.gov.au/child-safety/being-a-child-safe-organisation/the-child-safe-standards/ and follow the Archdiocesan Safeguarding Children and Young People Code of Conduct. A copy of this document is available for viewing below.
Child Protection Week (6 - 12 September)
pdf Message from Archbishop Peter (90 KB)
Resources for Child Protection Week (6-12 September)
- Protecting God's Children Parent Resource: A Catholic Parent’s Guide to Keeping Their Kids Safe
- Protecting God's Children Parent Resource: Suggested Reading List
- Video: Empowering Children and Young People Training for parishes, agencies and entities (Professional Standards Unit)
- Information sheet: Encouraging the Participation of Children and Young People in Decision making
- Information sheet: Empowering Children and Young People
- Poster: Commitment to Children and Young People (child-friendly version)
- Poster: Code of Conduct Explanation for Children
- Poster: Code of Conduct Explanation for Young People
- Poster: Keeping Children Safe and Well is Everybody’s Business
- Brochure: Ways to Support and Encourage A Child’s Right to Speak and Be Heard
- Tip sheet: Play Your Part – Religious Communities
- A ‘how-to guide' for engaging children and young people in conversations about safeguarding (Catholic Professional Standards Limited)
Liturgical resources for Child Protection Sunday (13 September)
Each year, the Church in Australia marks Child Protection Sunday on the second Sunday of September (13 September). These resources have been prepared by the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, in collaboration with Catholic Religious Australia, Catholic Professional Standards Ltd, the Professional Standards Unit and the National Office for Liturgy:- Parish bulletin/website notices for Child Protection Sunday
- Suggested Prayers of Intercession
- Child Protection Sunday Prayer (PDF + PowerPoint slides)
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pdf Suggested Reading List (832 KB)
Reporting and Responding
We work to ensure all children, families and staff know what to do and who to tell if they observe abuse or a victim, or if they notice inappropriate behaviour. Our Parish’s reporting policy is detailed in the Reporting child safety related misconduct and/or child abuse document available below and provides guidance on how to make a report when there is a reasonable belief that a child in our parish environment is in need of protection or if a criminal offence has been committed.
Our Parish records any child safety complaints, disclosures or breaches of the Archdiocesan Safeguarding Children and Young People Code of Conduct and stores the records in accordance with security and privacy requirements.
pdf Information Sheet Safeguarding Responsiblities V1 1 (280 KB)
pdf Safeguarding Children and Young People Code of Conduct (331 KB)
pdf Safeguarding Children and Young People Code of Conduct Declaration (265 KB)
https://ccyp.vic.gov.au/child-safety/being-a-child-safe-organisation/the-child-safe-standards/
pdf COVID 19 Online Safety for Parents and Children (1.11 MB)