Building Safe School Communities
Safeguarding encompasses proactive measures that unite the commitment of staff, parents and the broader school community to create and maintain safe environments with emphasis on prevention, accountability, and practices that foster a culture of safety and care for all students.
Diocesan Safeguarding
Catholic Schools Broken Bay is committed to embedding best practice as outlines in the NSW Child Safe Standards. and the National Catholic Safeguarding Standards (NCSS).
Email: safeguarding@dbb.catholic.edu.au
To learn more about Safeguarding in the Catholic Diocese of Broken Bay visit the Diocesan Safeguarding Page.
Redress & Support
The Diocese of Broken Bay recognises and apologises for the failings of the Catholic Church in the past. The Diocese wishes to ensure survivors are welcomed to engage with us and tell their story, and that our response will provide the survivor with a sense of safe engagement and will take all concerns seriously.
If anyone has been abused within the Diocese of Broken Bay we encourage them to bring their complaint forward and to consider the following pathways for redress.
Legislation
CSBB fall under the Children’s Guardian Act 2019 , the Scheme is in place to monitor the behaviour towards children of those that work with children.
The Scheme monitors how organisations investigate and report on certain conduct (known as ‘reportable allegations’ and ‘reportable convictions’) made against their employees, volunteers or certain contractors who provide services to children. The Scheme is administered by the Office of the Children’s Guardian. For more information click here.
If you have concerns about alleged inappropriate behaviour by a staff member towards any child or young person, it is important that you discuss your concerns with the Principal who in turn will consult with the CSBB’s Safeguarding Office.
All school staff are mandatory reporters under the Children & Young Persons (Care & Protection) Act 1998. This means that if there are reasonable grounds to suspect that a child is at risk of significant harm from abuse or neglect, then a report must be made to the Department of Communities & Justice Child Protection Helpline (CP Helpline).
School staff inform the Principal if they are concerned that a child may be at risk. It is the role of the Principal (or delegate) to make the report to the CP Helpline.
In situations where a child is considered to be at risk the school will work with the child/young person and family to assist them as much as possible. We recognise that a statutory response is not always required and where a family may need extra support, we will assist in making referrals to support the family if needed.
If you have concerns about a child who you consider may be at risk, please discuss your concerns with the Principal as soon as possible and maintain confidentiality.
Anyone applying for teaching or school support staff positions, select contractor and volunteer roles are required to apply for a Working with Children Check in accordance with the Child Protection (Working with Children) Act 2012 and obtain clearance before being engaged at CSBB.
The purpose of the check is to exclude people from working with children who are not suitable. A person who has been convicted or found guilty of a listed serious offence against children (whether in NSW or elsewhere) is prohibited from working in a child-related role.
Volunteers and contractors who are exempt from requiring a Working with Children Check will be required to complete a Declaration and Undertakings regarding Safe School Expectations.