The Office of Safeguarding conducts specialist or formal investigations. As with many specialist processes there is a body of terminology and key concepts with specific meanings.
Most diocesan workers will never have to participate in an Office of Safeguarding investigation and therefore have no need to know the technicalities of an investigation. However, if a diocesan worker needs or wants to have a greater understanding of the process of an Office of Safeguarding investigation, they will need to have a basic understanding of the following terminology and investigative concepts.
A formulation of words that describes the alleged conduct in as much detail as possible (who did what to whom, when and where).
May also relate to a failure of a diocesan worker to act, that is, neglectful behaviour.
An investigation may consist of one or many allegations.
The child or vulnerable person subject to the alleged conduct. Frequently the alleged victim and the complainant is the same person. Calling someone an “alleged victim” does not infer the person is not believed. It simply means the allegation is yet to be investigated.
Particular documents, especially diocesan codes of conduct and Catholic standards documents (for example, Integrity in the Service of the Church), regulate diocesan workers’ conduct.
A diocesan leader, particularly more senior leaders alleged to have acted in contravention of the National Catholic Safeguarding Standards, may be deemed to have breached professional standards.
A person aged 0 to 17 years of age.
The person who makes the complaint about the alleged conduct of a diocesan worker towards a child or vulnerable person.
Any person engaged by or acting on behalf of the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle, including those:
Any information relevant to the investigation.
The investigator’s decision as to whether there is sufficient evidence, on balance of probabilities, to establish a particular allegation occurred (a “sustained” finding). If there is insufficient evidence, the finding is “not sustained”.
Other particular findings that are variations of a “not sustained” allegation may be made in a reportable conduct investigation.
There are individual findings for each individual allegation.
All records generated in relation to an investigator conducting an inquiry, inclusive of emails, reports, transcripts and images.
The Office of Safeguarding holds electronic investigation records in a secure management system in perpetuity.
Investigation records are held separately from other diocesan records.
The person assigned the role of conducting an inquiry into the alleged conduct.
Key decisions the appropriate diocesan leadership makes when one or more allegation in an investigation is “sustained”.
Outcomes can relate to the respondent and operational or systemic issues.
Reportable conduct is a legal term defined in Part 4 of the Children’s Guardian Act
The Office of the Children’s Guardian offers detailed information on the Reportable Conduct Scheme on their website:
The diocesan worker alleged to have behaved inappropriately, abusively or neglectfully towards a child or vulnerable adult.
A person 18 years or older who has:
Any person, including children or vulnerable persons, investigators identify as having information relevant to the alleged conduct.
When the Office of Safeguarding receives a report about the alleged conduct of a diocesan worker, it is assessed to determine whether the allegation constitutes reportable conduct and therefore falls under Part 4 of the Children’s Guardian Act 2019, or it constitutes an alleged breach of professional standards.
Any alleged conduct that may constitute a criminal complaint is referred to Police.
Any allegation of ROSH (risk of significant harm) is reported to the Department of Community and Justice (DCJ) Child Protection Helpline.
Local leaders may conduct some investigations with the Office of Safeguarding overseeing and supporting. These “local investigations” are less formal and resolved more quickly because the nature of the allegation is less serious or only constitute a minor breach of professional standards. However, the Office of Safeguarding will undertake these investigations if there is:
The Office of Safeguarding must investigate all allegations of reportable conduct.
Allowing for the vagaries of all human processes, most Office of Safeguarding investigations follow the sequential list set out below. Detailed discussion of each step is available in drop-down dialogue boxes.
The beginning of the investigation is vital to reduce the possibility for procedural problems later and maximise the possibilities of having an efficient, effective and timely investigation.
The first step is assigning the investigator. Most Office of Safeguarding inquiries will be assigned to employed investigators who form PaRS (the Prevention and Response Service) the largest service within the Office of Safeguarding. However, the Manager, Prevention and Response may engage third-party (contracted) investigators.
The investigator and, dependent on particular circumstances, the PaRS Manager, will consult with the relevant diocesan leadership, including the respondent’s supervisor. Where the allegations are more serious, senior leadership may also be involved in the consultative process. The Diocese’s Human Resources service will be advised of the investigation and invited to participate.
Unless circumstances require, the respondent will not be advised of the investigation until later in the process. Triggers for informing the respondent earlier include:
As part of the consultation and preparation phase, the investigator will prepare a plan that provides diocesan leadership with a guide to the complexity and scope of the pending inquiry. The investigation plan includes an initial risk assessment.
Where the alleged conduct is assessed to constitute a “reportable allegation”, the Office of the Children’s Guardian must be notified within 7 days of the allegation having been made.
For more information about the Office of the Children’s Guardian and it’s reportable conduct scheme, refer to:
Real and appreciable risk
The investigator will conduct an initial risk assessment, which will then be reviewed throughout the investigation with the analysis of new evidence. Risk management is undertaken in accordance with international standards [ISO 31000:2018].
The risk assessment focuses on a number of key areas, including:
The sensitivity of the investigative risk assessment is in accordance with that established by s.5B Child Protection (Working with Children) Act 2012, initially articulated by Justice CJ Young: “What one is looking for is whether, in all the circumstances, there is a real and appreciable risk in the sense of a risk that is greater than the risk of any adult preying on a child.”
If the investigator assesses based on available information that the respondent poses a real and appreciable risk, the local diocesan leadership will implement temporary safety measures with advice from the Office of Safeguarding investigator.
Temporary safety measures
Temporary safety measures are an attempt to protect the respondent as much to protect children or vulnerable persons and may include the respondent:
The assessed level of risk has no relationship to the eventual findings of the investigation. The implementation of a temporary safety measure does not influence or presuppose a “sustained” finding for one or more of the allegations under investigation. Equally, the lack of temporary safety measures does not indicate the allegation will not be sustained.
If temporary safety measures are to be implemented, the respondent will be advised of the investigation at this early stage. The respondent will be given a general explanation of the allegation(s) that are to be investigated, but no particulars.
Conducting preliminary inquiries is the active investigative phase — the gathering of evidence.
Types of evidence
There are four basic types of evidence available to the investigator:
The gathering of evidence is neutral. The investigator seeks exculpatory evidence with identical rigour as evidence in support of the allegation. Exculpatory evidence refers to evidence that supports the proposition the respondent did not act as alleged.
The investigator will endeavour to interview witnesses in a predetermined order, often to avoid or reduce the risk of contamination or collusion.
Only diocesan workers may be compelled to give evidence. Children or their parents, vulnerable persons and other adults who are not diocesan workers are free to refuse to be a part of an investigation. The investigator will ask the witness (or their parent) to provide written confirmation of their refusal to be interviewed.
Diocesan workers can seek special consideration to not give evidence in an investigation, including:
Investigative interviews
Conducting investigative interviews is the single-most common means of evidence-gathering in Office of Safeguarding investigations. An investigative interview is an intentionally technical exercise to ensure the evidence gathered is deemed admissible in administrative tribunals and potentially court proceedings. Investigative interviews have a clear structure with a detailed and prepared introduction and lines of questioning.
The investigator will endeavour to have child witnesses and vulnerable persons feel as safe and comfortable as is practical. Child witnesses must be accompanied for an investigative interview, preferably by one of their parents or carers.
Wherever possible, investigative interviews do not occur in the place where the alleged conduct occurred (for example, at the school where alleged abuse occurred).
With the consent of the witness (and the witness’s parent if applicable) an audio recording of the investigative interview will be made. The recording will be transcribed into a printed record of interview, a copy of which will be provided to the witness. The witness then has an opportunity to review the record of interview and provide any clarifications or corrections to the record or make further comment in relation to the investigation and resubmit the altered record, which then forms the agreed record of interview.
Bests interests of the child (alleged victim)
There are exceptional circumstances where, in the process of conducting preliminary inquiries, an argument arises that it is in the best interests of the child (alleged victim) to:
The possibility of not pursuing a particular line of inquiry will only occur when there is a credible risk that pursuing that line of inquiry will have serious and lasting adverse effects on the wellbeing of the alleged victim. One of the countervailing considerations in making this determination is the assessment of the possible value of the evidence that may be obtained by pursuing the line of inquiry. The alleged victim or their support person or advocate will be asked to submit the reasons why the alleged victim does not want the Office of Safeguarding to pursue a line of inquiry.
The possibility of not addressing the alleged abuse with the respondent is limited to specific circumstances, including:
Should the investigator believe that it is in the best interests of the child (alleged victim) to not pursue the investigation further, the investigator must prepare a submission addressing the five specified circumstances listed above and request that “the investigation be terminated in the best interests of the child.”
The investigations manager will make the decision whether a particular line of inquiry will or will not be pursued and whether to terminate an investigation in the best interests of the child (alleged victim).
Where the investigation involves reportable conduct, the investigator and likely the investigation manager, will consult with the Office of the Children’s Guardian (OCG) prior to any decision being made. For the desired outcome to be achieved, the OCG must not object to a line of inquiry not being pursued and/or the investigation being terminated on the grounds of the best interest of the child.
If the application for termination of the investigation is successful the investigation process moves to stage (8) Advising respondent, complainant, witnesses and statutory authorities, however the respondent is not notified of the allegations, the alleged victim and non-respondent parent, where a child is involved, are advised.
If the application for termination of the investigation is rejected, the investigator proceeds along a normative pathway to stage (5) Respondent’s second right of reply — formulating “draft findings”.
Gathering of evidence is not an open-ended exercise, the more witnesses interviewed, the greater the risk of the investigation’s confidentiality being compromised and the greater the cost of the inquiry. The investigator, in consultation with Office of Safeguarding leaders, must determine when sufficient evidence has been gathered.
The investigator will then analyse the evidence for the purposes of producing a set of definitive allegations.
Definitive allegations
Definitive allegations will contain a level of detail and specificity of the alleged conduct sufficient to facilitate the respondent’s ability to respond. The allegations should include the most accurate detail achievable from the preliminary inquiries, including temporal and geographic location of specific behaviours the respondent allegedly committed, (who did what to whom, where and when). This includes the alleged victim’s identity.
There are very limited circumstances where the investigations manager may determine it poses an unacceptable risk to disclose the alleged victim’s identity to the respondent. However, this will have a significant effect on the strength of allegation that may be put to the respondent.
Complex investigations usually produce multiple individual allegations. Where there are a series of interrelated abusive actions that occurred sequentially or as part of an intrinsically single act of abuse, the investigator may formulate an allegation consisting of multiple sub-allegations.
Respondent’s first right of reply
The investigator will provide the respondent with a set of definitive allegations in writing, and an invitation to be interviewed within a reasonable timeframe thereafter.
The respondent may choose to prepare a written submission. This process constitutes the respondent’s first right of reply.
The respondent will be given all reasonable opportunity to reply, however, the respondent cannot be compelled to respond and may choose not to. Irrespective of the respondent’s choice to respond or not, diocesan investigations will proceed based on the available evidence.
No case to answer
On rare occasion, an investigator may determine, based on preliminary inquiries, that the respondent has no case to answer, i.e. there is no evidence of the respondent having acted abusively, neglectfully or in breach of professional standards towards any child or vulnerable adults.
Should the investigator believe there is ‘no case to answer’, the investigator must prepare an analysis of the evidence and submit the investigation record to a senior investigator or the investigator’s manager for an independent review.
If the review supports the proposition that there is no case to answer, the investigation process moves to stage (8) Advising respondent, complainant, witnesses and statutory authorities. The respondent is offered an opportunity to make a formal comment (to add to the investigation record) however there is no necessity to do so.
If the review rejects the proposition, the senior investigator or manager provides sufficient advice to the investigator to assist them in reviewing their original analysis. The investigator is expected to produce definitive allegations and the investigation proceed along a normative pathway to stage (5) Respondent’s second right of reply — formulating “draft findings”.
After interviewing the respondent or the respondent having forfeited their first right of reply, the investigator reviews the available evidence for the purposes of determining whether there is sufficient evidence, on balance of probabilities, to find that one or more of the allegations are sustained.
Rules of Evidence
The strict rules of evidence and issues of admissibility that apply to court hearings do not bind diocesan investigations. However, not all evidence is of equal value. The best (preferred) witness evidence is first-person or eyewitness evidence. Hearsay evidence may be considered but has reduced probative value (if any). Contemporaneous documentary evidence may be relied on more than notes transcribed after the passage of time.
Evidence can have reduced probative value because of identified conflicts of interest, internal inconsistency, past conduct reduces the witness’s credibility, and there is indication of contamination of evidence or collusion between witnesses.
Analysis
The investigator will analyse each fact that goes to establishing an allegation in its own right. A sustained finding will only be made when the investigator is reasonably satisfied, and actually persuaded, based on logically probative evidence (evidence that is persuasive, and not based on guesswork, suspicion or hearsay only). The absence of exculpatory evidence is not sufficient to make a sustained finding. There must be sufficiently compelling supportive evidence to make a positive finding of ‘sustained’.
The investigator will make draft findings for each of the allegations considered in the investigation.
Where there is at least one ‘sustained finding’
The respondent will be provided a detailed written advice, citing the investigator’s draft findings and the particulars of the evidence on which the finding is made. These particulars will include the relevant sections of interview transcripts, relevant documentary evidence and the investigator’s analysis. The evidence will be redacted to protect the identities of particular witnesses in accordance with following paragraph.
The identity of child witnesses will be protected. If an investigator determines a diocesan worker has “credible fear” from giving evidence, their identity may also be protected.
The respondent will be afforded all reasonable opportunity to make written submissions as to the draft findings. This constitutes the respondent’s second right of reply.
Where there are no ‘sustained findings’
The respondent will not be provided draft findings, as there have been no findings adverse to their best interests. The investigator will proceed directly to step (6) The investigation is reviewed — findings of fact.
It is good practice for the investigator to advise the respondent, complainant and alleged victim and their family of the progress of the investigation, however it is at the investigator’s discretion.
The investigator will hand over the investigation record to a senior investigator or the investigator’s manager to review and analyse the respondent’s submissions, other evidence, and the investigator’s draft findings and rationale in support of their findings.
The more serious the allegation, the investigator and reviewer will apply the rule of prudence that requires additional caution. Where the alleged conduct is inherently unlikely, or where a sustained finding will result in serious disciplinary consequences, the preliminary inquiries must be thorough and evidence rigorously tested.
The reviewer makes findings of fact, also known as “definitive findings”. It is open to the reviewer to change none, some or all of the draft findings. Where the reviewer’s findings vary from the draft finding, the reviewer is obliged to state the basis for the variation, including their evidence and analysis on which the finding relies.
Where a draft finding of “not sustained” is changed to “sustained”, the respondent must be given a further right of reply in relation to the newly sustained finding and the overall process needs to cease until the respondent’s reply has been received or the right has been forfeited.
For diocesan inquiries, including ‘reportable conduct’ investigations (Children’s Guardian Act 2019 Part 4) there are only two findings available to the investigator, “sustained” or “not sustained”.
If there are no sustained findings, the only outstanding step to be completed is the complainant and alleged victim being advised of the completion of the investigation and the findings (in general terms).
Also, any child witnesses or diocesan workers who were interviewed will be advised that the investigation has been completed; they do not receive any advice as to findings or outcomes.
Where the investigation produces one or more “sustained” finding the investigator will consult with relevant diocesan leadership and a representative from diocesan human resources to determine whether the sustained allegations are of sufficient seriousness to warrant the formulation and implementation of outcomes.
The relevant diocesan leadership makes the outcomes, not the Office of Safeguarding. Outcomes usually fall into two categories.
Personal outcomes relate to the respondent and their current and future working relationship with the Diocese. Personal outcomes may include:
The appropriate diocesan leader (with or without a representative from Human Resources) will consult with the respondent as to the draft or proposed personal outcomes that are being contemplated. Wherever possible, it is preferable that a respondent is aware of and accepting of outcomes that affect their work-based relationship with the Diocese. It is appropriate to assess whether some variation to the proposed outcome may achieve consensus with the respondent. However, the respondent’s opposition to a proposed outcome is insufficient basis to retract the proposed outcome.
Systemic outcomes are identified opportunities to improve structure, process or policy that may include targeted training to address poor or out-of-date practice within a workplace or team, development of new or revision of current policy and procedure, or restructuring one or more workplaces or programs to improve oversight and accountability.
Outcomes will:
The implementation of outcome decisions is the responsibility of the relevant diocesan entity (where the respondent works). Where there are personal outcomes, the human resources representative is usually involved to assist both parties.
The Office of Safeguarding oversights and reviews the implementation and success of the outcome decisions. The Office of Safeguarding has the authority to follow-up and inquire as to why outcome decisions were not implemented.
As part of the investigation record, reportable conduct investigations submitted to the Office of the Children’s Guardian, will include the agreed outcomes.
The respondent is provided written advice as to the findings of fact and any consequent outcomes that stemmed from the investigation. The investigator may also contact the respondent to advise them personally, if deemed appropriate.
For other classes of persons specifically involved in the investigation, the alleged victim, complainant and witnesses may be provided formal (written) or oral advice.
The alleged victim or their parents, guardians or responsible persons (where applicable) will be provided advice as to the investigation’s completion and, in general terms, the findings made and the outcomes decided.
If the complainant is different from the alleged abuser, they will be provided sufficient information to demonstrate that adequate and appropriate action was taken in response to their allegation. However, they will not be given information about findings or personal outcomes (relating to the respondent). The complainant will likely be advised of systemic outcomes.
Most witnesses will be advised of the completion of the investigation but no information in relation to findings or outcomes will be provided.
For investigations assessed as being of a more serious nature, written and oral advice may be provided to senior diocesan leaders.
The Office of the Children’s Guardian (OCG) reviews investigations deemed “reportable conduct”, in accordance with Part 4 Children’s Guardian Act 2019. The Office of Safeguarding submits records of the investigation to the OCG for review.
The OCG is also responsible for administering NSW’s working with children check scheme (WWCC). For more information about the OCG and the WWCC, refer to the the Working with Children Check scheme website.
Where an allegation of sexual assault, sexual misconduct or serious physical assault has been sustained, the OCG may trigger a risk assessment of the respondent’s working with children check (WWCC). For more information, go to the OCG risk assessment web page.
The respondent has the right to appeal any of the findings they believe are averse to their best interests.
If a respondent wishes to object to or appeal an outcome decision, they must refer their concern to the senior leadership of the relevant diocesan entity in which they work.
The commencement of disciplinary proceedings is not an appealable decision. The respondent is afforded rights of reply and appeal through the process.
The following information only relates to appealing findings with Office of Safeguarding.
The respondent must make a written submission appealing one or more findings. The right of appeal is not automatic. The respondent needs to have a reasonable basis for appealing a finding of fact. The respondent would need to identify:
The respondent has 28 days from receipt of the findings in which to lodge their appeal with the Office of Safeguarding.
The respondent and any other participant in the investigation can make a complaint. For further detail on making a complaint refer to the Office of Safeguarding ‘making a complaint’ web page.
Respondents involved in reportable conduct investigations can complain to the Office of the Children’s Guardian (OCG). For more information, go to the OCG Reportable Conduct Scheme web site. Complainants are asked to make their complaint to the Office of Safeguarding first, before going to the OCG.
The Office of Safeguarding is the organisational expression of the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle’s abiding commitment to promote the safety, welfare and well being of children and vulnerable persons. The Office of Safeguarding is an integral part of the Diocese, reporting directly to the Bishop’s Office. The Office of Safeguarding is placed outside the Diocese’s services, programmes and parishes, overseeing their safeguarding standards in operation. The Office of Safeguarding works with external statutory and Catholic authorities to fulfil its role.
Office:
50 Crebert St, Mayfield
PO Box 152, Mayfield NSW 2304
P: 02 4979 1390
E: childprotection@mn.catholic.
www.officeofsafeguarding.org.au
