Safeguarding
Our Commitment to Safeguarding
At Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, Kensington, we are committed to providing a safe, welcoming and respectful environment for all children, young people and adults at risk. As part of the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney, we recognise our legal, moral and spiritual responsibility to safeguard the dignity, wellbeing and rights of every person. We are committed to fostering a culture of safety, accountability and respect throughout our parish community.
Everyone who ministers or volunteers within our parish shares responsibility for creating and maintaining a safe environment.
Safeguarding Support Officer
The Safeguarding Support Officer (SSO) supports the Parish Priest in promoting a strong culture of safeguarding throughout the parish.
The SSO assists with:
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volunteer safeguarding compliance
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safer recruitment processes
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safeguarding training
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Working With Children Check compliance
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maintaining safeguarding records
Please note that the SSO does not investigate safeguarding concerns or complaints.
If you have concerns about the safety or wellbeing of a child, young person or adult at risk, please contact the Parish Priest or the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney Safeguarding Office immediately.
Safer Recruitment
Our Lady of the Rosary Parish is committed to safer recruitment practices for all volunteers.
Before commencing any ministry or volunteer role that requires safeguarding compliance, volunteers must:
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complete the Volunteer Registration Form and Volunteer Acceptance Form
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agree to abide by the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney Code of Conduct
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complete the required Safeguarding Training
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hold a valid Working With Children Check
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provide satisfactory referee details
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have all required safeguarding checks completed and approved
Volunteers must not commence their ministry or volunteer role until all safeguarding requirements, including satisfactory reference checks, have been completed and approved.
The following volunteers are required to meet safeguarding requirements before commencing their ministry:
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Children's Liturgy leaders and helpers
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Youth ministry volunteers
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Catechists (where applicable)
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Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
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Sacramental programme volunteers
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Any volunteer working with children or adults at risk
Safeguarding Training and Working with Children Check
All volunteers working in roles requiring safeguarding compliance must complete the Archdiocese of Sydney Safeguarding Training before commencing their ministry.
Refresher training must be completed in accordance with Archdiocesan requirements every two years to maintain compliance.
A valid Working With Children Check (WWCC) is required for volunteers undertaking child-related work, in accordance with NSW legislation.
Submitting Your Documentation
Completed forms and training certificates can be:
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emailed to safeguarding@olrkensington.org.au
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delivered to the Parish Office
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addressed to the Safeguarding Support Officer
Please ensure all documentation has been received and approved before commencing your volunteer role.
Reporting a Safeguarding Concern
If you believe a child, young person or adult is in immediate danger, call 000 immediately.
If you have a safeguarding concern or wish to report inappropriate behaviour, please contact:
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the Parish Priest
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the Safeguarding Support Officer (for advice regarding processes)
All concerns are treated seriously and managed in accordance with the safeguarding policies and procedures of the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney.
How to get in touch
Lily Murcutt, Safeguarding Support Officer
Email: safeguarding@olrkensington.org.au
Parish office email: parishoffice@olrkensington.org.au
Additional information
Additional safeguarding information can be obtained from the Archdiocese of Sydney website.
The Archdiocese offers care and support to victims by providing free counselling sessions and advice/support on the different avenues on how to report alleged abuse