Mother of Mercy & St Agatha's

La Vierge adorent l’Enfant Jesus

Jean Morin (Titian)

Safeguarding

The Archdiocese of Brisbane holds that children, young people and vulnerable adults are a gift from God with an intrinsic right to dignity of life, respect and security from physical and emotional harm. They are to be treasured, nurtured and safeguarded.
 
The parish, in line with the Archdiocese of Brisbane’s Safeguarding Policy, has zero tolerance for all forms of abuse and is committed to safeguarding all who interact with the parish through its activities, ministries and services, especially children and adults at risk.

Each Parish in the Archdiocese of Brisbane has a Local Safeguarding Representative who is responsible for:

  • making sure that the whole parish is aware of the importance of safeguarding children and vulnerable adults,
  • promoting safe practices, including clearly communicating to others what constitutes appropriate and inappropriate behaviour, and
  • assisting the Parish Priest and staff in implementing the Archdiocesan Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults Policy within the parish.

The compliance officer for Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults at Mother of Mercy Parish is Monica Johnson, and incident reports are to be made to Vicki Ward. Vicki can be contacted on 0407 550 571 or at [email protected].

The compliance officer at St Agatha’s Clayfield is Catriona McPherson. Catriona can be contacted on 0456 441 717 or at [email protected].

For more information, visit http://archbne.org/safeguarding.

The Archdiocesan Safeguarding Children &Vulnerable Adults Prevention & Protection Policy can be found at: https://brisbanecatholic.org.au/support/safeguard.

Volunteers

The Archdiocese of Brisbane has implemented standards of conduct for voluntary church workers to maintain a safe and healthy ministry environment. Our commitment to these standards requires that we have a record of their Blue Card and conduct background referencing for all who intend to engage in voluntary ministry having direct and regular involvement with children, young people and vulnerable adults.

Safe Conduct Standards (Archdiocese of Brisbane)
Prior Conduct Declaration (Archdiocese of Brisbane)
Archdiocese of Brisbane Policy Whistle-Blower

The Archdiocese of Brisbane has the following safeguarding training packages:
Safeguarding Induction, Applied Safeguarding Training and Training for Local Safeguarding Representatives, which can be viewed here https://brisbanecatholic.org.au/safeguarding/safeguarding-training.

Ways to Report

Here is how you can report an incident or concern, or contact someone to talk about a safeguarding matter, or get more information:

Talk to the police (Emergency: ‘000’ Non-emergency: 131 444) or KidsHelpLine (1800 55 1800 or www.kidshelpline.com.au)

Through the anonymous STOPline (1300 304 550 or [email protected])
talk to our Local Parish Safeguarding Representative ([email protected])

Fill out a Safeguarding Incident Report and send it to [email protected] or GPO Box 282 Brisbane Qld 4001



USEFUL LINKS

STOPline   
http://bnecatholic.stoplinereport.com
Email:  [email protected] 
Phone:  1300 304 550

Archdiocese of Brisbane  
https://brisbanecatholic.org.au/support/safeguard

Office for Safeguarding Services: 
Email:  [email protected] 
Phone:  07 3324 3752

Safeguarding Resource Hub:   
www.safeguardingaob.com.au

Professional Standards Office Queensland     
​www.psoqld.catholic.net.au

Safeguarding Training
https://brisbanecatholic.org.au/safeguarding/safeguarding-training

Le Petit Enfant Jésus 

Jacques Callot

Blue Card – No Card, No Start

Individuals must have a valid blue card before they start paid work or volunteer. All card holders must apply to renew their blue card before it expires in order to continue working/volunteering. If an individual lets their card expire, they will have to cease work until they obtain a new valid blue card. Click here for further information about the Blue Card Application process.

​Useful links:

Criminal History Statutory Declaration

Online Police Checks – User Guide
‘Police Check’ can now be completed online via this link https://secure.policecheckexpress.com.au/intercheck/landing/1144/248550

The Archdiocese provides the following documents to assist parishes & faith communities in implementing the safeguarding policy:
Safeguarding Policy Support Document
Safeguarding Policy Implementation & Accountability Strategies
Safeguarding-Policy 2021