Safeguarding
Statement of Commitment
The Catholic Diocese of Bathurst is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable persons through robust safeguarding measures and practices. The Diocese complies with the NSW Child Safe Standards and the National Catholic Safeguarding Standards taking a zero-tolerance approach to abuse of children or vulnerable persons. All who are employed by the Diocese must comply with the Diocesan Code of Conduct and Diocesan Safeguarding measures which include:
● Screening and selection processes for new personnel
● Ongoing training and education for staff and volunteers
● Regular audits and reviews of safeguarding practices
Screening for Employees:
● All new employees would be required to undergo a National Police Check prior to commencing employment.
● For child related roles, successful applicants are required to retain a valid NSW Working with Children Check in accordance with legislation.
Screening of Volunteers
The need for National Police Checks will depend on the nature of their ministry and their level of responsibility or contact with vulnerable people. These volunteer roles may include:
● Those involved in ministry to aged care facilities (noting this may sometimes be arranged by the facility)
● Those bringing Holy Communion to the sick or housebound
● Those involved in regular ministry with vulnerable adults
● Members of Finance Councils, given their oversight and governance responsibilities
Volunteers in child-related roles must hold a valid WWCC in line with NSW legislation. In some situations, a National Police Check may also be appropriate based on the nature of the role.
Contact Catholic Diocese of Bathurst Safeguarding
If you have any Safeguarding concerns, please contact the Diocesan Safeguarding Officer.
We will listen to you respectfully; offer support and discuss options you have available to you. To contact us regarding Safeguarding, please phone (02) 6334 6440 or email us at safeguarding@cdob.org.au .
Bishop McKenna’s Message
Looking forward to a better future
Dear Friends in Christ,
In my Lenten Message of 2017, I asked for our local church to become a community ready to listen to, accompany and assist those among us who suffered childhood sexual abuse in our schools, orphanages and parishes.
We cannot undo the past: we can only do our best in the present, for a better future.
May I invite anyone who has been living with painful memories and now feels ready to talk about them to reach out to our Diocesan Safeguarding Office:
E: safeguarding@cdob.org.au
P: 02 6334 6440
Your privacy will be respected, and you will be supported at the pace you wish to proceed.
This invitation is also for those who have engaged with this process in the past, but would like to reconnect, as healing can be a life-long journey.
I understand that some survivors feel so betrayed by church people and institutions that it would be difficult, even impossible, for them to trust us again. I do understand, and can only offer a humble prayer that they would find another way that leads to healing and hope.
Michael McKenna
Bishop of Bathurst
The National Child Safe Standards and the National Catholic Safeguarding Standards
The National Child Safe Standards recommended by the Royal Commission provide a framework for making organisations safer for children. They have been accepted by the NSW Government and the Child Safe Scheme requires certain child-related organisations to apply them. Based on extensive research and consultation, the Standards provide tangible guidance for organisations to create cultures, adopt strategies and act to put the interests of children first, to keep them safe from harm.
Edition 2 of the National Catholic Safeguarding Standards was produced by Australian Catholic Safeguarding Ltd in 2022. The Standards constitute a framework which articulates requirements for Catholic entities to promote the safety of children through the implementation of policies and activities to prevent, respond to and report concerns regarding child abuse.
NCSS Safeguarding Audit Report – December 2025 – Diocese of Bathurst
National Redress Scheme
The National Redress Scheme commenced on 1 July 2018, in response to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. The Royal Commission listened to thousands of survivors detail the abuse they experienced as children while in the care of an institution. The abuse happened in institutions such as orphanages, children’s homes, schools, churches, sports clubs, hospitals, and foster care.
For further information regarding the National Redress Scheme, please refer to the website.
Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse
The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse was established on 11 January 2013 in response to allegations of sexual abuse of children in institutional contexts that had been emerging in Australia for many years.
The Terms of Reference directed the Royal Commission to inquire into, and report on, ‘institutional responses to allegations and incidents of child sexual abuse and related matters’. Without limiting the scope of the inquiry, the Terms of Reference expressly required inquiry into:
● what institutions and governments should do to better protect children against child sexual abuse and related matters in institutional contexts in the future
● what institutions and governments should do to achieve best practice in encouraging the reporting of, and responding to reports or information about, allegations, incidents or risks of child sexual abuse and related matters in institutional contexts
● what should be done to eliminate or reduce impediments that currently exist for responding appropriately to child sexual abuse and related matters in institutional contexts, including addressing failures in, and impediments to, reporting, investigating and responding to allegations and incidents of abuse
● what institutions and governments should do to address, or alleviate the impact of, past and future child sexual abuse and related matters in institutional contexts, including, in particular, ensuring justice for victims through the provision of redress by institutions, processes for referral for investigation and prosecution and support services.
More information can be found on the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse- external site website.
Safeguarding Audit / Accreditation
The Diocese has undergone a safeguarding audit conducted by an accredited ACSL Auditor to ensure that the extensive work undertaken to date regarding safeguarding is elevated and continuous improvement is evident in line with the Standards. The Final Report from that audit is available HERE.
Safeguarding Advisory Panel
A Safeguarding Advisory Panel has been appointed by the Bishop to provide advice and oversee professional standards in relation to safeguarding. This can include advice with regards to critical incidents. In all decisions and deliberations of the Advisory Panel, the best interests of children, young and vulnerable people will be the paramount consideration.
The panel consists of members from all agencies within the Diocese, clergy, and congregation members who have expertise and experience in matters relating to children and vulnerable people.
The panel meets regularly and consider initiatives to build on the work done to date against the National Catholic Safeguarding Standards established by Australian Catholic Standards Limited (ACSL) to support the principles for child-safe organisations recommended in 2017 by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses for Child Sexual Abuse.
The Catholic Diocese of Bathurst Safeguarding Advisory Panel can be contacted via safeguarding@cdob.org.au .
Policies relating to Safeguarding
Safeguarding Sunday
Each year, the Diocese acknowledges Safeguarding Sunday, as part of our ongoing commitment to ensuring the safety of children and vulnerable people in our communities.
You can find resources and further information on the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference website: ACBC – Safeguarding Sunday
Safeguarding Training & Development
Extensive work has been undertaken to date to ensure that employees and volunteers are versed in Safeguarding. The Catholic Diocese of Bathurst provides the following training and development to employees and volunteers:
Child Safety & the Protection of Young Persons Training
This online module is completed by all new employees as part of our induction process. The subjects included are:
● Know what child abuse is
● Understand the 10 national principles of child safe organisations
● Comply with the principles for child safety and mandatory reporting
● Meet your duty of care obligations
● Understand your legal obligations for child safety
● Recognise the benefits of being a child safe organisation
This course is legally compliant and kept up to date with legislation for all states and territories in Australia.
Catholic Diocese of Bathurst Safeguarding and Safe Ministry Workshop
The Catholic Diocese of Bathurst Safeguarding and Safe Ministries Workshops are undertaken by diocesan staff, parish staff and volunteers, ensuring that formation in safeguarding continues to be a priority.
This training focuses on equipping participants with the knowledge and skills needed to protect vulnerable people – including children, the elderly, and those living with disabilities – while fostering a culture of transparency, accountability, and collaboration within our church communities.
Participation in the Catholic Diocese of Bathurst Safeguarding and Safe Ministries Workshops is a requirement for clergy, religious, lay leaders and volunteers. National Police Checks are also becoming an essential requirement for a variety of ministries.
Register here for information and workshops:
Training and Development in our schools and agencies
In our schools and agencies, there is an on-going process of training and development. Schools complete annual training in this area, and our active clergy have completed a session on Child Protection and Schools.
Future Training Initiatives
The Catholic Diocese of Bathurst will be expanding the training and development of employees and volunteers to include other training relating to Safeguarding later in 2025.
Resources
ESafety Resources:
1. Online Safety Grandparents/Carers Guide – https://www.esafety.gov.au/seniors/online-safety-grandparents-carers/book
2. Online Safety Guide – https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/resources/online-safety-book
3. Online Safety for Under 5s Guide – https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/children-under-5/online-safety-for-under-5s-booklet
4 CDOB – Safeguarding Poster
5. CDOB – Safeguarding Poster in Child Friendly Lanuaguage or Simple English