Guardian Angels Parish has implemented the
Archdiocesan Safeguarding Policy.
We are committed to high standards of recruitment, screening and selection of all of our employees and volunteers and undertake intentional strategies to maintain a safe and healthy ministry environment for all.
Welcome Portal for All Parish Volunteers.
The New Volunteer Welcome Portal managed by the Archdiocese of Brisbane is now up and running. If you are interested in volunteering in this Parish, kindly use this link to register:
https://welcome.brisbanecatholic.org.au/
Note that current & registered Volunteers may also use this link to access the Archelearn Training Portal to complete Safeguarding Training.
https://welcome.brisbanecatholic.org.au/
Note that current & registered Volunteers may also use this link to access the Archelearn Training Portal to complete Safeguarding Training.
Safeguarding in the Archdiocese
The Archdiocese recognises the inherent dignity and rights of all people, regardless of their age, gender, race, religious beliefs, disability, sexual orientation, or family or social background. Everyone involved in Archdiocesan activities, ministries and services has the right to protection from abuse, exploitation and harm. As such, safeguarding is part of the Archdiocese’s primary duty of care. All Archdiocesan workers including clergy, religious, employees and volunteers, and all Archdiocesan partners and third-party service providers share responsibility for safeguarding.
Archdiocesan Safeguarding Commitment
The Archdiocese has zero tolerance for all forms of abuse and is committed to promoting and protecting the welfare and human rights of everyone involved in, or affected by, Archdiocesan activities, ministries and services. The safety and wellbeing of children and adults-at-risk is paramount.
STOPline Service
STOPline is an independent commercial service that receives confidential information and reports about suspected abuse, serious misconduct and policy breaches by Archdiocesan personnel, including clergy, religious, employees and volunteers. The service also applies to Brisbane Catholic Education and Centacare Brisbane.
STOPline is available to all Archdiocesan personnel, volunteers and the general community.
Information can be provided to STOPline anonymously.
Phone: 1300 304 550
Email: [email protected]
Online: https://bnecatholic.stoplinereport.com/
Safeguarding Incident Report Form
Safeguarding Incident Report Form (click here)
STOPline is available to all Archdiocesan personnel, volunteers and the general community.
Information can be provided to STOPline anonymously.
Phone: 1300 304 550
Email: [email protected]
Online: https://bnecatholic.stoplinereport.com/
Safeguarding Incident Report Form
Safeguarding Incident Report Form (click here)
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Safeguarding Policy
“The Church loves all her children like a loving mother, but cares for all and protects with a special affection those who are smallest and defenceless. This is the duty that Christ himself entrusted to the entire Christian community.”
(Apostolic Letter issued ‘motu proprio’ by the Supreme Pontiff Francis, 4 June 2016)
The Archdiocesan Safeguarding Policy can be found at: brisbanecatholic.org.au/assets/uploads/Safeguarding-Policy.pdf
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Crime - Fail to Report a Suspected Child Sexual Offence
(Queensland Criminal Code Act 1899- Section 229BC) In Queensland, it is a crime for an adult to fail to report a suspected child sexual offence to the police. If an adult reasonably believes that a child is being or has been the victim of sexual abuse by another adult, they are required to report it to the police - unless they have a reasonable excuse not to. A report must be made even if the abuse happened a long time ago. The law also states that it does not matter that information about a child sexual offence is gained during or in connection with a religious confession. It must be reported to the police. For this law, a ‘child’ means a person under 16 or a person under 18 with an impairment of the mind. Examples of child sexual offences include: *Sexual intercourse with a child under 16 years. *Indecent treatment of a child under 16 years (e.g. sexual fondling, touching). * Grooming a child for sexual activity (including online). *Exposing a child to pornography. *Making child exploitation material (e.g. child pornography, sexual videos or photos). New Laws to Protect Children from Child Abuse Click here to view The Archdiocese is committed to fostering a culture where people are encouraged to raise concerns and can do so safely. The Archdiocese strongly encourages anyone who suspects criminal conduct by Archdiocesan personnel to report the matter directly to the Queensland Police Service. Queensland Police Service Emergency: 000 Non-emergency ‘PoliceLink’: 131 444 Online: www.police.qld.gov.au |
Archdiocesan Safeguarding Principles
The following principles guide safeguarding practice in the Archdiocese:
Prevention- The primary aim of safeguarding is to prevent abuse and harm.
Protection- The safety and wellbeing of children and adults that may be at increased risk of abuse and harm is paramount.
Shared Responsibility- Safeguarding is a collective responsibility at all levels of the Archdiocese and its agencies, parishes, ministries and services. It is best accomplished by all Archdiocesan workers, partners and third-party service providers working in partnership and collaboration.
Empowerment- Those involved in, or affected by Archdiocesan activities, ministries and services are empowered to express their views on safeguarding policies, procedures and practices. The views of children and adults-at-risk are taken seriously and, where developmentally appropriate, they or their guardian participate in decision-making processes affecting them.
Risk Management- Risks of abuse and harm associated with Archdiocesan activities, ministries and services are actively identified and managed. Both physical and online environments are managed to minimise the opportunity for abuse and harm to occur.
Responsiveness- All suspicions, disclosures, complaints and incidents of abuse and harm are responded to promptly and effectively.
People-centred- A pastoral and trauma-informed approach is adopted in all interactions with individuals affected by abuse and harm.
Accountability – All Archdiocesan workers maintain proper personal, professional and pastoral boundaries in their interactions and relationships with others, especially children and adults-at-risk, and are accountable for their actions, inactions and decisions.
Prevention- The primary aim of safeguarding is to prevent abuse and harm.
Protection- The safety and wellbeing of children and adults that may be at increased risk of abuse and harm is paramount.
Shared Responsibility- Safeguarding is a collective responsibility at all levels of the Archdiocese and its agencies, parishes, ministries and services. It is best accomplished by all Archdiocesan workers, partners and third-party service providers working in partnership and collaboration.
Empowerment- Those involved in, or affected by Archdiocesan activities, ministries and services are empowered to express their views on safeguarding policies, procedures and practices. The views of children and adults-at-risk are taken seriously and, where developmentally appropriate, they or their guardian participate in decision-making processes affecting them.
Risk Management- Risks of abuse and harm associated with Archdiocesan activities, ministries and services are actively identified and managed. Both physical and online environments are managed to minimise the opportunity for abuse and harm to occur.
Responsiveness- All suspicions, disclosures, complaints and incidents of abuse and harm are responded to promptly and effectively.
People-centred- A pastoral and trauma-informed approach is adopted in all interactions with individuals affected by abuse and harm.
Accountability – All Archdiocesan workers maintain proper personal, professional and pastoral boundaries in their interactions and relationships with others, especially children and adults-at-risk, and are accountable for their actions, inactions and decisions.
Safeguarding Training Module
Volunteers may access Safeguarding Training (renewable every 2 years) via the Arch-E Learn.
Access Arch-E Learn via the Volunteer Portal
https://welcome.brisbanecatholic.org.au/
Note that current & registered Volunteers may also use this link to access the Archelearn Training Portal to complete Safeguarding Training.
For any enquiries regarding assistance with Arch E-Learn, please contact : [email protected].
Prior Conduct Declaration Form
(renewable every 3 years) may be accessed here.
Safeguarding Handbook
Click here to access the link
Queensland Government Laws & Fact Sheets
https://www.qld.gov.au/law/laws-regulated-industries-and-accountability/queensland-laws-and-regulations/regulated-industries-and-licensing/blue-card-system-changes
https://www.qfcc.qld.gov.au/Factsheet/about-queenslands-child-safe-organisations-system.
WHS Incident Reporting
Parishioners and visitors are reminded of the requirement to immediately report any health or safety incident, injury or damage that occurs within our Parish. Reporting assists our Parish to provide the necessary assistance, take remedial action and provide mandatory notifications to the Archdiocese and the Division of Work Health and Safety QLD.
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Office for Safeguarding Services
Phone: 07 3324 3752 Email: [email protected] Online: https://archdioceseofbrisbane.snapforms.com.au/form/online-safeguarding-incident-report-form National Protocol for Responding to Concerns and Allegations of Child Abuse https://www.catholic.org.au/nationalresponseprotocol |