Q. What is Safeguarding?
A. Safeguarding is the action taken to avoid or minimise the potential for abuse to occur in connection with an organisation’s activities. At its core, safeguarding is about promoting the safety and well-being of others, and creating environments that are welcoming, nurturing and safe.
Q. What is ACSL?
A. Australian Catholic Safeguarding Ltd (ACSL) was established in 2020, to bring together the work of Catholic Professional Standards Ltd, the Australian Catholic Centre for Professional Standards and the Australian Catholic Ministry Register. ACSL is a company limited by guarantee, whose membership is composed of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, Catholic Religious Australia, and the Association of Ministerial Public Juridic Persons.
ACSL is committed to fostering a nationally consistent culture of safety and care throughout the Catholic Church in Australia. This includes providing a range of services to support the implementation of the National Catholic Safeguarding Standards (NCSS), a framework for the protection and care of children and adults at risk. ACSL maintains the NCSS, undertakes audits and reviews of Church entities, and publishes reports which demonstrate a Church entity's commitment to the NCSS.
Q. When did the Royal Commission present its findings?
A. December 15, 2017 - The Royal Commission presented its final report to the Governor-General detailing the findings of the 5 year enquiry. 10 Standards were issued for compliance. Standard 1 relates to all parish staff, clergy, religious and volunteers who have the fundamental obligation to ensure the proper safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults.
Q. As a volunteer, do I need to attend training?
A. Yes. Volunteer Induction Training is essential for all volunteers. Parish Safeguarding Representatives, will present this training, and the parish has an obligation to register participants and record training attendance. The Cairns Diocese will maintain this data for all parishes on a secure register to ensure compliance.
Q. Who qualifies as a Volunteer?
A. Anyone who performs a voluntary role on a regular basis, within church/parish. Volunteers are all parishioners who provide a service to the parish. Some roles require Blue Card and/or National Police Check.
Q. Who needs a Blue Card?
A. Some of the parish positions are:
Leadership positions e.g. Parish Pastoral Council, Parish Finance Council, Parish Safeguarding Representatives
Parish admin volunteers
Sacristans
Parishioners who hold keys to Parish Church/Facilities Communion Ministers to the sick (at home)
Sacramental Program
Children’s Liturgy of the Word
Q. Who needs a Police Check?
A. Some of the parish positions are:
Leadership positions e.g. Parish Pastoral Council (Chair), Parish Finance Council (Chair), Communion Ministers to the sick (at home)
Pastoral Ministry Work eg Aged Care
The Diocese will process and meet the cost.
Q. Induction Training—what’s involved?
A. Safeguarding Representatives will present a Safeguarding PowerPoint to volunteers and interested parishioners: approx. 30mins. It will describe responsibilities and compliances.
Sign & return the Parish Volunteer Application/Declaration Form (This will be endorsed.)
Sign & return the Code of Ethical Behaviour Form (This will be endorsed by the Bishop.)