The Royal Commission into Institutional Response to Child Sexual Abuse’s Child Safe Standard 7 states:
Staff are equipped with the knowledge, skills and awareness to keep children safe through continual education and training
The Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle is implementing a comprehensive safeguarding training regime.
Informational modules are relatively brief training opportunities developed by the Office of Safeguarding (OoSG) that may be delivered by local leaders. Modules are largely passive presentations of information, in written form presented through PowerPoint and 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 are not required to arrange their participation in safeguarding modules, participation will be arranged by management.
Prerequisite: Nil
Target groups: All Paid workers, irrespective of whether they are in child-related work or not
Frequency: Once — as part of commencing employment with the Diocese
Exemptions: Nil
Duration: 40 minutes approximately
Description: A global introductory informational package describing diocesan safeguarding structures, including the Diocese’s Commitment Statement to Safeguarding. The module will briefly introduce:
This package is largely an audio-visual module with written information presented through PowerPoint. This module can be presented by local leadership as part of an agency specific induction process or as part of the corporate induction process run through Human Resources.
Prerequisite: Nil
Target groups: Volunteers other than those in parishes
Frequency: Once — within the first six months of commencing as an unpaid helper
Exemptions: Available for recognised prior learning — apply to Office of Safeguarding
Duration: 45 minutes approximately
Description: A more detailed induction module to introduce unpaid helpers to the indicators of abuse and neglect and ensure that they are aware of their reporting obligations and the supports available to them. The module will briefly address:
This package will be presented by a member of the local school, early education centre or social service programme who has been familiarised with the content. This module involves audio-visual material with written information presented through PowerPoint.
Prerequisite: Nil
Target groups:All employees, (i.e. those in child-related work and those who are not) and volunteers in the Diocese
Frequency: Annually
Exemptions: Nil
Duration: 40 minutes approximately
Description: A brief annual refresher module to be presented at staff meetings, as part of an in-service or pupil free professional development day. The module will briefly review:
This package will be presented by local leadership or other member of the school, early education centre or social service programme familiar with the content. Module 3 involves audio-visual material with written information presented through PowerPoint.
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, printed material handed out on the day and analysis and discussion of practice scenarios reinforcing key learning.
The drop down menu below summaries the safeguarding training packages designed to provide targeted, specialised knowledge and support for workers in child-related work.
The diocesan workers who are required to attend the safeguarding training courses must arrange their own enrolment. The course details, set out in the drop down menus, specifies which groups of workers attend which courses.
Diocesan workers are able to secure places in safeguarding training courses through:
Rebecca Mahony
Learning & Development Officer, Human Resources
P: 4979 1322 Monday to Thursday, during normal office hours
Prerequisite: Module 1: Induction for new employees
Target groups: All paid workers who are required to hold a WWCC verified by the Diocese as a condition of their employment, 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 (about 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, printed material handed out on the day and analysis and discussion of practice scenarios reinforcing key learning.
This course includes a detailed and frank discussion on the experience of being a survivor of abuse and being the parent of a child who was abused.
2020 Training Calendar
All training sessions will be held from 8.45 am to 3.30 pm.
Wednesday 4 March Charlestown Bowling Club
Wednesday 20 May Singleton Diggers
Wednesday 10 June Wingham Golf Club
Wednesday 12 August Charlestown Bowling Club
Wednesday 28 October Singleton Diggers
Wednesday 18 November Charlestown Bowling Club
Venue addresses:
Charlestown Bowling Club
5 Lincoln Street
Charlestown NSW 2290
Singleton Diggers
York Street
Singleton NSW 2330
Wingham Golf Club
30 Country Club Drive
Wingham NSW 2429
Prerequisite: Module 1: Induction for new employees [employees only]
Target groups: All parish workers (employees and unpaid helpers)
Diocesan clergy appointed to a parish are expected to participate alongside their paid and voluntary parish workers when the ‘whole of parish’ undertakes the collective training.
Frequency: For newly started workers – within the first six months of commencing duties
For ‘whole of parish’ refresher training undertaken collectively, every six years
Exemptions: For newly started workers – recognised prior learning available – apply to Office of Safeguarding
For ‘whole of parish’ refresher training – Nil
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 particular safeguarding needs of faith communities. The training course will address:
This course will be presented by one or more Pastoral Ministries Workers who have undertaken preparatory training with the Office of Safeguarding. The package includes audio-visual material with written information presented through PowerPoint, printed material handed out on the day and analysis and discussion of practice scenarios reinforcing key learning.
Dates and venues for provision of Course 2 ‘Safeguarding in parishes’ training are being finalised in consultation with each pastoral region. The details will be publicised locally in your parish as well as detailed on this website as arrangements are finalised.
Prerequisite: Course 1: Introduction to Safeguarding for employees in child-related work. ‘Reasonable provision’ exception available for paid workers who have recently joined the Diocese.
Target groups: Paid child-related workers 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 workers 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.
Staff attend the training in their ‘work groups’, i.e. a school’s entire staff or all the personnel of a St Nicholas Early Education Centre attend. This facilitates the training course’s focus on exploring the local safeguarding culture and practice standards.
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 printed material handed out on the day.
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: Introduction to Safeguarding for employees in child-related work. ‘Reasonable provision’ exception available for paid workers who have recently joined the Diocese.
Target groups: Paid child-related workers in CatholicCare Social Services, DARA 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 workers 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.
Staff attend the training in their ‘work groups’, i.e. all the staff from a CatholicCare programme and/or office attend as a single training group. This facilitates the training course’s focus on exploring the local safeguarding culture and practice standards.
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 printed material handed out on the day.
There is a heavy emphasis on in-depth analysis and discussion of practice scenarios calibrated to suit the social services and community welfare context.
2020 Training Calendar
Training sessions will be held from 8.45 am to 3.30 pm.
Wednesday 19 February CatholicCare Office
Venue addresses:
CatholicCare Office
Training Room 3
50 Crebert Street
Mayfield NSW 2304
The Office of Safeguarding is the organisational expression of the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle’s absolute and abiding commitment to promote the safety, welfare and wellbeing of all children and vulnerable adults. The Office of Safeguarding is an integral part of the Diocese, and separately oversees other services, agencies and programs. 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
E: healing.support@mn.
www.officeofsafeguarding.org.au
