Safeguarding & Child Protection
What is Safeguarding?
The emotional, physical and spiritual safety, well-being and dignity of children is an integral part of the teachings and values of the Catholic Church.
Ryde-Gladesville Catholic Parish, alongside the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney, is committed to ensuring the safety, well-being and dignity of all children, young people and vulnerable adults. We acknowledge our important legal, moral and spiritual responsibility to create a safe and nurturing environment for these members of our community.
Need to know more - https://www.sydneycatholic.org/safeguarding-and-child-protection/
Safeguarding at Ryde-Gladesville
At Ryde Gladesville, we have a number of measures in place provided by the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney's Safeguarding and Ministerial Integrity Office to protect the children, young adults and vulnerable people in our community.
All our staff and clergy undergo regular Safeguarding and Child Protection courses, and complete Safeguarding documentation such as a Working With Children Check.
We have two Parish Safeguarding Support Officers who work with the Safeguarding Office and assist our Parish Priest to implement safeguarding policies and protocols as well as providing training to parish volunteers who work with children
All our volunteers and Ministers complete a Volunteer Registration form as a manner of record keeping. All those who volunteer with children in their role complete the full Safeguarding training and documentation
Children, young people and vulnerable adults are provided with resources and information about their safety, and what to do if they need help
New Archdiocese Resources
During National Child Protection Week 2021, the Safeguarding Office for the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney launched new resources for children and young people.
You can access the new 'Feeling Safe Activity Book' for children and the 'Wellbeing Guide for Young People' here. These resources have a number of activities for children and young people, created by children and young people.
Feeling-Safe-Activity-Book.pdfFeeling Safe Activity Book for Children
A-Guide-for-Young-People-to-Better-Understand-Wellbeing (1).pdfWellbeing Guide for Young People
A Message from the Archbishop
A Guide for Supporting Young People
Children & Young People's Participation.pdfResources for Kids & Young People
Poster-Online-Safety-Journeyv4.0.pdfuncrcchilldfriendlylanguage.pdfFact-sheet-Information-for-young-people-about-online-safety.pdfBehaviour-Code-for-Young-People.pdfWhat to do if you need help
If you feel scared, curious, embarrassed, sad or worried, tell an adult that you trust. This can be a parent, a teacher, an aunty or an older brother or sister, so that they can help you.
You might find it useful to write a list of your three trusted adults, so you know who to ask for help when you feel this way.
Someone will listen to you.
There are also many children and young-person friendly support services which can help you below. With the help of a trusted adult, you can click the images below to visit their website, or call the phone number provided.
Managing Safeguarding Complaints.pdfSafeguarding Issue Management Factsheet
What to do if you see something
Child Protection is all of our responsibility.
If you see, hear or find out something of concern related to the safety of a child or young person, it is your responsibility to bring it to the attention of a clergy member or staff member.
Please raise any concerns you may have, no matter how big or small, with our Parish Safeguarding Officers Judy and Olivia, or another member of staff or clergy who will pass it on to them.
You can find out more about how issues are managed at our Parish in the attached factsheet.
Child-Friendly Support Services
Headspace
Information, support & services to young people aged 12-25
Call 1800 650 890
Kids Helpline
24/7 phone and online counselling services for young people aged 5-25
Call 1800 551 800
Beyond Blue
Phone support with trained mental health professional, online interactive programs and online forums
Call 1300 224 636
CatholicCare Sydney
Support and counselling services to people of any background or denomination
Call 13 18 19
Lifeline
24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention
Call 13 11 14
Child Wise
Trauma-informed phone & online counselling for childhood abuse
Call 1800 991 099
Bravehearts
Specialist case management and phone counselling for child and adult survivors, non-offending family members and friends engaging with the Royal Commission
Call 1800 272 831
Interrelate
Counselling and support for those affected by institutional child sexual abuse and the work of the Royal Commission
Call 1300 134 924
Victims Access Line
Confidential support & information to victims of all crimes, including sexual and physical assault and domestic violence
Call 1800 633 063
Our Parish Safeguarding Support Officers
Judy Raumer
Judy is the Executive Assistant to Fr Greg Morgan and Office Manager at Ryde-Gladesville.
Olivia Eberhaut
Olivia is the Youth Minister at Ryde-Gladesville, and works with children and young people.
More information
For more information and resources, head to the Sydney Archdiocese's Safeguarding & Child Protection page. There you can find a number of resources and activities, as well as more information on what the Safeguarding and Ministerial Integrity Office does.