The Royal Commission into Institutional Response to Child Sexual Abuse highlighted the importance of workers being given knowledge, skills and awareness to keep children safe through training.
The Diocese is legally obliged to comply with the NSW Child Safe Standards and is also committed to meet the complementary National Catholic Safeguarding Standards that have been endorsed by the Australian Council of Bishops and Catholic Religious Australia.
NSW Child Safe Standard Seven says:
A child safe organisation promotes continuous learning and provides regular ongoing education and training. Staff continually build their abilities to keep children safe.
National Catholic Safeguarding Standard Seven says:
Ongoing education and training. Personnel are equipped with knowledge, skills and awareness to keep children and adults safe through information, ongoing education and training
The Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle has implemented a comprehensive safeguarding training regime to ensure that diocesan workers have the appropriate level of knowledge, skills and awareness to assist in safeguarding children:
Safeguarding training is compulsory and is provided free to all diocesan workers.
Recognised Prior Learning (RPL)
Diocesan workers who have recently joined the Diocese, who are able to evidence that they have completed the standardised child protection training CHCPRT001: Identify and respond to children and young people at risk, in the 12 months prior to working with the Diocese, may request an exemption from:
The Office of Safeguarding is able to grant a ‘new worker’ exemption for RPL on provision of written evidence of the worker’s attendance/completion of the training. Workers have no right of appeal should their request for RPL be denied.
Granting an RPL obligates the worker to independently review the Diocesan Safeguarding Framework Policy, with an emphasis on section 10 ‘Reporting to the Diocese’.
Diocesan workers who have undertaken safeguarding training in relation to their role in one setting in the Diocese, may seek exemption from undertaking safeguarding training again, in another setting. For example, if an employee in a Diocesan school undertook Course (1) or (3) training in the past six years, they can be exempt from having to undertake Course (2) training as a volunteer in their parish.
Diocesan workers should contact the Office of Safeguarding to clarify whether they are able to be exempt.
Informational modules are brief online training opportunities developed by the OoSG.. These modules are largely passive presentations of information, in written form presented through audio-visual material.
The drop-down menu below summaries the standardised safeguarding training modules designed to provide baseline knowledge for all diocesan workers (whether in child-related work or not). Diocesan employees will be assigned the Safeguarding Induction module and the Annual Refresher modules in mnpeople.
In the following descriptions of the information modules, the term child-related work refers to any diocesan worker who is required to hold a NSW WWCC (working with children check) as a condition of their employment with the Diocese.
Prerequisite:
Nil
Target groups:
All paid workers, clergy and religious; irrespective of whether they are in child-related work or not
Frequency:
Once — within 1 month of commencing their employment or ministry with the Diocese
Exemptions:
Nil
Duration:
45 minutes approximately
Description:
An online global introductory informational package describing diocesan safeguarding structures, policies and processes. The module introduces:
This package is an audio-visual module with written information presented through mn.people. It includes a competency assessment quiz at the completion of the presentation.
Prerequisite:
Nil
Target groups:
Volunteers and Contractors in child-related work other than those in parishes
Frequency:
Once — ideally as part of a volunteer’s or contractor’s induction but otherwise, within six weeks of commencing
Exemptions:
Available for recognised prior learning — apply to Office of Safeguarding
Duration:
45 minutes approximately
Description:
An online global informational package describing diocesan safeguarding structures, policies and processes. The module introduces:
This module can be accessed online by the individual or facilitated in a group setting by a member of the local school, early education centre or social service programme who has been familiarised with the content.
Prerequisite:
Safeguarding induction for new employees
Target groups:
All Diocesan employees, clergy and religious (i.e. those in child-related work and those who are not)
Frequency:
Annually
Exemptions:
Nil
Duration:
45 minutes approximately
Description:
An online global informational package designed to refresh and reinforce diocesan employees’ safeguarding awareness and knowledge. The module describes diocesan safeguarding structures, policies and processes, including:
This module involves audio-visual material with written information presented through mnpeople and includes a competency assessment quiz at the completion of the module.
Safeguarding courses are more in-depth training packages, developed by the OoSG and presented by OoSG staff. The training courses are interactive, including audio-visual material with written information presented through PowerPoint, and analysis and discussion of practice scenarios reinforcing key learning.
The drop-down menu below summarises the safeguarding training packages designed to provide targeted, specialised knowledge and support for employees in child-related work.
Employees who are required to attend the safeguarding training courses must register via mnpeople. The course details, set out in the drop-down menus, specifies which groups of employees attend which courses.
In the following course descriptions, the term child-related work refers to any diocesan employee who is required to hold a NSW WWCC (working with children check) as a condition of their employment with the Diocese.
Self -care with potentially confronting content:
Safeguarding the children and vulnerable persons of the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle is our priority. Our courses are tailored to ensure you, as workers of the Diocese, receive all the information and support you need to be able to comply with your legal and moral obligations to report any concerns for children and vulnerable persons. Our approach to training is a holistic one. The course content will include a brief history on the legacy of historic child sexual abuse in our diocese.
For some, this content can be confronting. If you are concerned for your possible response to the material, speak with your manager before the training day to discuss potential alternatives. If during the presentation of the course you start to feel distressed, please use your own judgement and make sure that you are safe. It is okay to withdraw yourself from the training if you need to, physically or psychologically. If you would like to speak directly to someone from the Office of Safeguarding before or after this training day, please call 4979 1390 or email oosgtraining@mn.catholic.org.au.
Please remember the Diocese has an Employee Assistance Program available to all staff and their families, if you need support please reach out to either The Rosewood Centre on 1800 613 155 or email hello@rosewoodcentre.com.au, or AusPsych on 4926 1688 or email admin@auspsych.com.au
For Registrations:
Diocesan employees are to self-enrol via mnpeople.
Volunteers who require assistance in registering for a course in mnpeople contact Human Resources:
E: HR-Training@mn.catholic.org.au –
For Any Other Information:
For information regarding the currency of your training or confirmation of which course you are to attend please contact the Office of Safeguarding directly:
P: 4979 1390
Prerequisite:
Safeguarding induction for new employees
Target groups:
All paid workers in child-related work, other than those who work in parishes
Frequency:
Once — within the first six months of appointment (reasonable provision available)
Exemptions:
Available for recognised prior learning – apply to Office of Safeguarding
Duration:
Full day course (approx. six hours)
Description:
A primary training package designed to highlight the global concepts and state legislation relating to child protection as well as introducing “new” workers to their obligations under the Diocese’s safeguarding processes. The training course will address in detail:
This course will be presented by one or more members of the Office of Safeguarding. The package includes audio-visual material with written information presented through PowerPoint, and analysis and discussion of practice scenarios reinforcing key learning.
Prerequisite:
Safeguarding induction for new employees [employees only]
Target groups:
All parish workers (employees and volunteers)
Frequency:
For employees – within the first six months of commencing duties and then every six years thereafter
For volunteers – every six years
Exemptions:
For newly started workers – recognised prior learning available – apply to Office of Safeguarding
Duration:
4 hours (half a day)
Description:
A particular training package designed to support paid and unpaid helpers undertaking a broad range of ministries in church facilities and out in the community. The training targets the safeguarding needs of faith communities. The training course will address:
This course will be presented by the Office of Safeguarding. The package includes audio-visual material with written information presented through PowerPoint and analysis and discussion of practice scenarios reinforcing key learning.
Prerequisite:
Course 1: Safeguarding for employees in child-related work. ‘Reasonable provision’ exception available for paid workers who have recently joined the Diocese.
Target groups:
Employees in child-related work in diocesan systemic schools, Catholic Schools Office and St Nicholas Early Education Centres and OOSH programs
Frequency:
Every six years
Exemptions:
Nil
Duration:
Full day course (about six hours)
Description:
A secondary or enhanced training package designed for employees who are familiar with working for the Diocese in an educational setting (inclusive of early, primary and secondary) and an understanding of their safeguarding obligations as diocesan workers.
This course will be presented by one or more members of the Office of Safeguarding. The package includes audio-visual material with written information presented through PowerPoint.
There is a heavy emphasis on in-depth analysis and discussion of practice scenarios calibrated to suit. The scenarios used will deal with situations in the relevant context for the trainees, e.g. early education centres, primary and secondary schools.
Prerequisite:
Course 1: Safeguarding for employees in child-related work. ‘Reasonable provision’ exception available for employees who have recently joined the Diocese.
Target groups:
Employees in child-related work in CatholicCare Social Services and other community or welfare related programs within the Diocese.
Frequency:
Every six years
Exemptions:
Nil
Duration:
Full day course (about six hours)
Description:
Secondary or enhanced training, designed for employees who have a degree of familiarity working for the Diocese in the area of social services and an understanding of their safeguarding obligations as diocesan workers.
This course will be presented by one or more members of the Office of Safeguarding. The package includes audio-visual material with written information presented through PowerPoint.
There is a heavy emphasis on in-depth analysis and discussion of practice scenarios calibrated to suit the social services and community welfare context.
Office:
50 Crebert St, Mayfield
PO Box 152, Mayfield NSW 2304
P: 02 4979 1390
E: childprotection@mn.catholic.
www.officeofsafeguarding.org.au
