SAFEGUARDING
Called to Serve
"Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked." (Psalm 82:3-4)
SAFEGUARDING COMMITMENT
We hold zero-tolerance to all forms of abuse to ensure the safety and protection of children and vulnerable people. Grounded in our faith, we are committed to safeguarding everyone involved in our activities, ministries and services, and to upholding the highest moral, legal, and ethical standards in creating a community where harm is neither ignored nor tolerated.
CODE OF CONDUCT
Complete Code of Conduct
Short Form (Easy English) Code of Conduct
CONTACT INFORMATION
FEEDBACK QR CODE
MAKE A REPORT
Easy English Reporting Information Sheet
Mandatory Reporting
Managing a Person of Concern in a Parish
Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check
Quick Link to online Concern Report
Safeguarding Concern Report Form
IF YOU HAVE CONCERNS FOR THE IMMEDIATE SAFETY OF A CHILD OR ADULT CALL 000.
It is a legal requirement in WA for Ministers of Religion to report child sexual abuse to the Department of Communities’ Mandatory Reporting Service. If you are a Minister of Religion, please contact Safeguarding Coordinator for additional advice.
The Catholic Diocese of Bunbury is to comply with the Reportable Conduct Scheme to report Reportable Conduct and Convictions by notifying the Ombudsman of any allegations of, or convictions for, child abuse by our employees (paid/volunteer, contractor, ministers of religion or others).
For further information or if you require support to complete this report, please contact the Safeguarding Coordinator on (08) 97210517 or safeguarding@bunburycatholic.org.au
FOLLOW THE LINK → Safeguarding Concern Report Form – Catholic Diocese of Bunbury – Fill out form
Reportable Conduct
make a Mandatory Report to the Department of Community Services.
If the person making the report is not a Mandatory Reporter, they shall report to Safeguarding Policy.
Click here → Procedure – Responding to Reportable Conduct
MASTER POLICY AND HANDLING COMPLAINTS
Master Policy
The Diocese welcomes and values people from all backgrounds and supports their right to participate in decisions that affect them. This Policy is designed to safeguard Children and Adults with Vulnerabilities from harm and to ensure that any concerns are addressed promptly and appropriately.
The Diocese recognises that vulnerability does not stem from an individual’s inherent qualities, but from the interaction between their personal circumstances, the environments they encounter, and the power dynamics or risks to which they may be exposed. A person’s level of vulnerability may change over time. This understanding informs a safeguarding approach that is strengths-based, rights-focused, and attentive to structural, relational, and situational factors that contribute to risk. Although the term “vulnerable adult” is commonly used in legislation and regulatory guidance, this Policy uses it solely to describe circumstances in which additional safeguarding considerations are necessary, rather than to define or label a person.
Complaints Handling Policy
Safeguarding is at the core of the mission of the Catholic Diocese of Bunbury. The Diocese upholds theinherent dignity and fundamental right of every person, especially Children and Adults with Vulnerabilities, to feel safe and protected.
Catholic Diocese of Bunbury (the Diocese) is committed to effective complaint handling.
We value the feedback that complaints can provide to improve our organisation’s services and supports to the community.
We aim to empower people to communicate their concerns and complaints without fear of retribution or discrimination by providing a transparent and responsive complaint-handling process. All complaints will be dealt with in a way that observes the principles of honesty, transparency and fairness. Complaints that involve disclosures of abuse or harm will be dealt with in a compassionate, trauma-informed and victim-centred manner that prioritises the safety and wellbeing of children and adults experiencing vulnerabilities.
We will try to resolve concerns and complaints as efficiently and effectively as possible, having regard to the seriousness of the complaint and any statutory obligations we may have to cooperate with other organisations, including police, child protection authorities and oversight and regulatory bodies.
This Safeguarding Complaint Management Policy establishes the overall framework by which the Diocese will welcome and respond to safeguarding complaints. It outlines the key principles and processes that inform our handling of complaints, as well as other sources of guidance signposted throughout, but does not provide detailed procedural guidance about the investigation of complaints as procedural guidance will be dependent of the nature of the complaint.
CLICK HERE → SAFEGUARDING COMPLAINTS MANAGEMENT POLICY
CLICK HERE → Procedure – Complaint Management
RISK ASSESSMENT PROCEDURES
Risk Assessment Procedure
The Bunbury Catholic Diocese is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all individuals involved in events or activities.
The following Risk Assessment Guidelines will assist you when arranging an activity or event within your parish to ensure it runs smoothly, and to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all individuals involved.
Click Here Procedure – Completing Risk Assessments
Risk Checklist
This Safeguarding Risk Checklist is designed to assist Diocesan Parishes, Agencies, Offices, Organisations and Ministries when planning or reviewing activities and events. It helps to identify potential risks, assess and respond.
Referto the Safeguarding Master Policy 15 – Conducting Risk Assessments for further information.
Click here → Safeguarding Risk Checklist -Childrens Activity or Event
Click here → Safeguarding Risk Checklist 1 -Community or Adult Activity or Event
Click here → Safeguarding Risk Checklist – Home visits
SAFEGUARDING OFFICER
Role Description
This position is responsible for ensuring that the parish is aware of the importance of safeguarding and supporting the fundamental obligation of Catholic Diocese of Bunbury to ensure the proper safeguarding of children and adults with vulnerabilities.
This position will work closely and in cooperation with Diocese Safeguarding Coordinator.
Click here → Parish Safeguarding Volunteer role description – DRAFT
SAFEGUARDING PRACTICE GUIDES
SCREENING REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL WORKERS ENGAGED IN CHILD RELATED ROLES IN THE DIOCESE OF BUNBURY.
There is important legislation that provides protection of children and assists to provide regulation for all organisations that work with Children. In WA, legislation includes the Workingwith Children (Screening) Act 2004, Children and Community Services Act 2004 and Parliamentary Commissioner Amendment (Reportable Conduct) Act 2022. These legislative requirements apply to all workers at all Parishes/Agencies/Chanceries of the Diocese of Bunbury. This document provides information on a worker’s legal obligations and responsibilities to better protect children and young people, and guide on requirements for each role. (CLICK FOR MORE) → Screening Guideline
SAFEGUARDING RESOURCES AND FORMS
SAFEGUARDING TRAINING
SUPPORT SERVICES
All visiting Clergy, Deacons, vowed Religious and lay, who wish to engaged in public ministry within the Diocese of Bunbury for more than fourteen (14) days per year are required to apply for Western Australian Working with Children Check.
In Western Australia, a Working with Children (WWC) Check is mandatory for people doing child-related work, valid for 3 years. The process involves completing an application form, having it signed by an organization (if applicable), and lodging it with 100 points of ID and a fee at an authorized Australia Post outlet.
WWC Check Application Procedure:
- Obtain Form: Get an application form from an authorized Australia Post outlet.
- Complete Form: Fill in personal details, ensuring the employer/volunteer organization signs the declaration.
- Lodge Application: Submit the form in person at an Australia Post outlet.
- Provide ID: Present 100 points of original identification documents (e.g., birth certificate, driver’s license, passport).
- Photo and Fee: Australia Post will take your photo for the card and collect the fee ($11 for volunteers, higher for employees).
- Receipt: Keep the receipt as proof to start working while the application is processed.
Click here → Procedure – Working with Children Check – Application and Renewal
Important Notes:
- Processing Time: Allow 3 to 12 weeks for the application to be processed.
- Validity: The check is valid for 3 years.
- Monitoring: The card is monitored for new criminal charges/convictions throughout its lifespan.
- Renewal: Renewals can be completed online or via a new form.
- Replacement: If you lose your card or change your details, you must contact the WWC Screening Unit.
For more information or to check the status of an application, visit the WA Government Working with Children Check page.
Click here → Procedure – Visitors (Clergy, Religious and Lay People)
All Clergy, vowed Religious and Lay, engaged in public ministry within the Diocese of Bunbury who are from intrastate, interstate or overseas wishing to minister in the Diocese of Bunbury are required to both seek permission to minister and also meet the Diocesan screening requirements.
This process must be completed at least two weeks PRIOR to the commencement of the visit, short stay, or appointment. In all instances (visit/short stay or appointment) the following submissions are necessary:
Option Clergy A: ACMR provided
- Fill in ONLINE Application Form (under development) or download and complete the Form – Safeguarding ACMR Declaration outlining the intent of the visit/short stay or appointment (providing ACMR and WWC numbers).
- WA WWCC: If you wish to engaged in public ministry within the Diocese of Bunbury for more than fourteen (14) days per year you are required to apply for Western Australian Working with Children Check.
Option Clergy B: ACMR not provided
- Download and complete the Form – Safeguarding Church Authority Statement
- Download and complete the Form – Safeguarding Personal Declaration – NEW
- WA WWCC: If you wish to engaged in public ministry within the Diocese of Bunbury for more than fourteen (14) days per year you are required to apply for Western Australian Working with Children Check.
- Please send all completed paperwork to the Diocesan Office.
Option: Lay Ministry
- Fill in ONLINE Application Form outlining the intent of the visit/short stay or appointment.
- Download and complete the Form – Safeguarding Church Authority Statement
- Download and complete the Form – Safeguarding Personal Declaration – NEW
- WA WWCC: If you wish to engaged in public ministry within the Diocese of Bunbury for more than fourteen (14) days per year you are required to apply for Western Australian Working with Children Check.
- Please send all completed paperwork to the Diocesan Office.
Our Office will provide the appropriate permission confirmation to you. Please note Ministry within our Diocese is not permitted until all correspondence is received and permission has been granted.
It is expected that all Clergy, Religious Brothers and Sisters, and Lay Ministers coming into the Diocese of Bunbury, make themselves familiar with the principles and guidelines of the Integrity in Our Common Mission and the Diocese Code of Conduct documents.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
This policy is designed to ensure that prompt, consistent and accurate responses are developed by the Diocese of Bunbury relating to matters which are of public interest to ensure that all communication is in line with the mission and ethos of the Diocese and the Church.
The policy outlines a process to ensure all media releases, publications, statements and enquiries regarding the Diocese of Bunbury are managed professionally and ethically.
In order to develop consistent, accurate and pastoral communication, it is important that specific issues are coordinated by authorised personnel and communicated by appropriate spokespersons. This applies to all written and verbal correspondence as well as in the media (print and digital).
SCOPE
This Policy applies to ALL Parishes, Agencies, Organisations and Offices of the Diocese.
This Policy does NOT apply to Catholic Schools or Catholic Incorporated Associations or Organisations that are governed and administered under separate legislative or regulatory frameworks.
PROCEDURES
- The official spokesperson for all communication and media emanating from the Diocese of Bunbury is the Bishop of Bunbury. This includes all parishes and agencies associated with the Diocese of Bunbury.
- The Bishop of Bunbury may delegate this to another person or agency from time to time.
Media Releases and Enquiries
- All comment to external media is to be coordinated through the Media Manager for the WA Province of Bishops as a first point of contact. The Media Manager can be contacted via the Diocese of Bunbury Office.
Media organisations who would like comment from the Bishop of Bunbury, any member of Episcopal Council or the Chancellor and Executive Director, Chancery, are requested to direct all enquiries to the Media Manager
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4. If the Media Manager is unavailable, then the matter is to be referred to the Vicar General.
Internal Communication
- Responsibility for all internal communication for the Diocese of Bunbury is delegated to the Vicar General of the Diocese of Bunbury.
- The Vicar General may liaise with other individuals or agencies as required.
- The Vicar General shall be responsible for the approval of content, including written copy, photographs, artwork video and audio.
- Content sourced from other organisations must be appropriately attributed to the organisation, journalist, and/ or publication.