The Professional Standards Committee of the Diocese of Sandhurst is part of the structure under the protocols established by Towards Healing process (n. 39) which requires that each Bishop have a consultative group to assist him in the formulation and review of Diocesan policies and practices relating to professional standards, specifically implementation of the process outlined in Towards Healing for responding to allegations of abuse of children, young persons and vulnerable adults.

The Committee consists of the Bishop, clergy of the Diocese and lay members, a composition representing the professions of law, health, education, parishes and social work across the Diocese. The Committee meets at least three times a year. pdf See terms of reference (83 KB) .  The current Chair of the Committee is Father Brian Boyle (contact details below).

It is the responsibility of this Committee to advise the Bishop on the appropriate response to complaints of abuse against priests, employees and volunteers in the Diocese. The Committee also provides advice on the review of Diocesan policies and practice relating to professional standards.

The Catholic Diocese of Sandhurst is committed to providing a safe and supportive environment for all persons, especially children, young people and vulnerable adults. The Diocese is committed to nationally established standards and protocols of the Catholic Church, as well as being compliant with all government legislation.

Through the work of this Committee, the Diocese is committed to the ongoing pastoral and personal support of any person who has suffered physical or sexual abuse by Church personnel.

Child Safety:
1. pdf Statement of commitment to Child Safety (103 KB)
2. pdf Policy - Safeguarding Children and Young People (681 KB)
3. pdf Children's Code of Conduct (189 KB)
4. pdf Working with Children Protocol
(4.30 MB) 5. Social Networking Policy
6. pdf Responding to Issues of concern (flowchart)
(206 KB) 7. pdf Guidelines for Managing High Risk Individuals
8 (751 KB) . pdf Consent/Incident/Complaint form (268 KB)

Child Protection Legislation:
Working With Children Check
Summary of Grooming Offence
Summary of Failure to Protect Legislation
Summary of Failure to Report legislation
Victorian Child Safe Standards
Reportable Conduct Scheme
Reportable Conduct Scheme – Recent updates to information sheets

Tips sheets for Child Safe Organisations
• Cultural Safety for Aboriginal Children
• Safety of Children with a Disability
• Safety of Children from Culturally and Linguistically diverse backgrounds
• pdf Introductory self-assessment tool – 10 National Principles (626 KB)
•   pdf Empowerment and Participation of Children (7.57 MB)
• “How to Guide” for engaging children and young people

 Resources for Parents and Carers:
1. pdf Charter for children in out-of-home care
(87 KB) 2 pdf . (87 KB) pdf What to look for in a childsafe organisation (320 KB) pdf
(87 KB) 3 pdf . (87 KB) pdf Older children home alone (192 KB) pdf
(87 KB) 4. pdf (87 KB) pdf Other people looking after your child babysitters (180 KB) pdf
(87 KB) 5. pdf (87 KB) pdf Teach your child to keep themselves safe (188 KB)
6. pdf Listening to Children (348 KB)
7.  pdf Guide for parents and carers (722 KB)

Links
National Redress Scheme click to download the pdf NRS Application form 2018 (119 KB)
An overview of the Victorian child safe standards
Catholic Professional Standards Ltd
Safety of Children and Vulnerable Adults
Towards Healing
Integrity in Ministry
Integrity in the Service of the Church
Mandatory reporting
Truth, Justice, Healing Council
Version 4.0 – A Guide for Creating a Child Safe Organisation (CCYP)Version 4.0 – A Guide for Creating a Child Safe Organisation (CCYP)

Media
pdf Media Release: 7th February 2017 - Statement from Bishop Leslie Tomlinson - Royal Commission (553 KB)

To make contact with the Professional Standards Committee
Father Brian Boyle (Chair)
P.O. Box 201
Bendigo Vic. 3552.
03. 5441 2544

Further contact
Towards Healing help line    1800 816 030 (free call)
Professional Standards Resource Group (Victoria)
P.O. Box 6186
Mildura West   Vic. 3500.