Safeguarding Children

  1. Our Newly updated (2024)  Safeguarding Children’s Policy. This document sets out our policy on all aspects of protection of children, including Working With Children Checks for volunteers, and reporting any allegations of abuse or issues of concern.
  2. The Newly updated (2024) Safeguarding Children Code of Conduct Form
  3. If you volunteer for any of our Parish Ministries or Groups you will need a Working With Children Check” Card.
    Visit: www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au
    If you already have a card, login in to “Mycheck”, click “change my details”,
    and then click “add an organisation” St John the Baptist 19 Forest Road Parish Ferntree Gully 3156
    Under the field Child-Related Work, choose “64-Religious Organisation”. Please provide the Parish Office with your WWCC details so we can complete and update our records. If you don’t have access to the internet please call the “Working with Children Check” on 1300 652 879.
  4. Follow this link for the Framework on ‘Safeguarding Children, Young People and Vulnerable Persons’ of the Archdiocese of Melbourne, of which we are part.
    https://cam.org.au/safeguarding-children-young-people-and-vulnerable-persons/
    Safeguarding Children, Young People and Vulnerable Persons | CAM
    Safeguarding Children, Young People and Vulnerable Persons Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. In the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne, we consider the safety and wellbeing of all persons to be our highest priority. 
  5.  POSTER: A safe church for everyone: https://melbournecatholic.org/uploads/documents/Safeguarding/ASafeChurchforEveryone_Poster_2023_A4.pdf
    Reporting Abuse Flowchart: https://melbournecatholic.org/uploads/documents/Reporting-abuse-or-safety-related-misconduct_2024_A4.pdf

ST JOHN’S SAFEGUARDING COMMITTEE 

A Child Safety Team has been established and is working to complete the formation required by the Archdiocese.This is the first point of contact for reporting any concerns and any questions parishioners may have regarding Child Safety.

The Team consists of:

  • Gordon Veerasawmy – Officer
  • Fr. Thomas Kuruvila – Parish Priest
  • Maree Wilson – Parish Office
  • Kelly Johnston –  School Principal
  • Carolyn Sombekke – Parishioner
  • Kathryn Wallace – Childrens’ Liturgy
  • Julie Ring – Parishioner

The Committee members can be contacted through the Parish Office number 03 9758 1029 or by email at [email protected]
We are committed to preventing child abuse and identifying risks early and then reducing or removing them. If you see something of concern, please Email: [email protected]

Every person involved in the Catholic Church has a responsibility to understand the important and specific role he/she plays individually and collectively to ensure that the wellbeing and safety of all children and vulnerable adults is at the forefront of all they do and every decision they make.

Please go to https://melbournecatholic.org/safeguarding/reporting-abuse-and-safety-related-misconduct/ for all information regarding Child Safety and reporting.

Safeguarding Unit

The Safeguarding Unit is open from Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm   Safeguarding Director: Rachel Averbukh – Email: [email protected]
Phone: (03) 9287 5564  Email: [email protected]

Information is available in different translations here: https://melbournecatholic.org/safeguarding/safeguarding-framework-resources/safeguarding-framework-resources-translated