Child abuse and neglect is preventable. If we all work together as a community we can create an Australia where all children can grow up safe and well. What role can you play in supporting children and their families? ~ Richard Cooke, CEO, NAPCAN
National Child Protection Week invites all Australians to play their part to promote the safety and wellbeing of children and young people.
This year, National Child Protection Week (NCPW) occurs across Australia from 5-11 September. This is the 31st year celebration with the theme:
Every child, in every community, needs a fair go.
To treat all of Australia’s children fairly, we need to make sure every family and community has what kids need to thrive and be healthy.
With the crisis of Covid-19, we anticipate that National Child Protection Week will be a little different this year. However, while there will likely be fewer events, the campaign will definitely still go ahead. The added pressure on families and communities means that now – more than ever – we all need to play our part in protecting all children.
We can all play a part by creating stronger, happier neighbourhoods. This can be achieved by talking to your neighbours, checking in with friends, being a good role model, supporting and being kind to parents rather than judging or being competitive, offering to assist where possible and speaking up if you see something that is unsafe.
It is important that we listen to, and value, what children have to say. Where possible, include their voices in decision making and be advocates for their best interest.
By speaking regularly to children about their personal safety and how they can protect themselves, as well as “tuning into” their worries, children are more likely to trust us and feel comfortable to talk to us when something big is going on.
Make your influence positive; start a conversation today with your colleagues and families about listening to and valuing the voice of children and young people.
The Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle has an abiding commitment to promote the safety, welfare and wellbeing of children. The Office of Safeguarding is the structural expression of the Diocese’s commitment to demonstrate the highest standards of recognising and upholding the dignity and rights of all children.
The Office of Safeguarding provides training to diocesan personnel to ensure they adopt safe work practices when working with children, and to increase their awareness of the indicators of abuse to equip them to provide the correct response. The Office of Safeguarding also provides an intake service to assist diocesan personnel in ensuring they meet both their mandatory reporting obligations to statutory authorities as well as their duty of care obligations. Risk assessments and comprehensive compliance audits are also undertaken to ensure the diocese is compliant with various safeguarding regulatory and contractual obligations and to reduce and manage identified risks.
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 adults. 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.
Head Office:
50 Crebert St, Mayfield NSW 2304
P: 02 4979 1390
E: childprotection@mn.catholic.
Healing & Support (Zimmerman Service):
5 Selma Street, Newcastle West NSW 2302
P: 02 4923 0636
E: healing.support@mn.
www.officeofsafeguarding.org.au
