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Integrity Office

Our Safeguarding

Practices

n December 2019, the Audit Report for the Diocese of Darwin was
Ireleased by Catholic Professional Standards Ltd (CPSL).
This was a point-in-time assessment of the safeguarding practices
Christine Smith implemented by the Diocese of Darwin and the extent of the compliance
Diocesan Integrity Officer with the requirements of the National Catholic Safeguarding Standards
(NCSS).
This is the third report on diocesan practices to be released on the CPSL website. The reports
of the Diocese of Ballarat and the Archdiocese of Brisbane are also available.
The results show our work has led to substantial progress in 89% of the 103 NCSS indicators.
This is a tremendous achievement.
I thank the Priests, Safeguarding Coordinators and personnel who have assisted in developing
processes, materials and records in each Parish to improve safeguarding practices. I also thank
the members of the Bishop’s Consultative Panel who offered advice, made recommendations
and shared in development of Diocesan documents.
I will continue to work with parishes and follow through with the agreed actions developed
with CPSL to improve our practice and processes.
The areas which will be our focus in parishes and schools over the next couple of months are:
• Development of child-friendly posters and materials suitable for young children as well
as youth;
• Review of Code of Conduct for those working with children and those in positions of
responsibility;
• Review of Position descriptions;
• Record-Keeping and required information – e.g. ochre cards, position descriptions, code
of conduct;

• Development and delivery of training in safeguarding children and young people; and
• Management of Risk, involving the review of Risk Assessments.
We, like the Diocese of Ballarat and the Archdiocese of Brisbane, also need to address
cultural safety training.

During the course of this year, various policies, procedures and processes will be reviewed.
The anticipated outcome is that while these meet the NCSS, they will also be the ‘best fit’ for
your parish or school. We will be asking for feedback from families, children, young people
and parish and school communities. We encourage you to be involved in these discussions
and surveys.
Queries, concerns or issues may be raised at any time and emailed to christine.smith@
nt.catholic.edu.au. I look forward to our work in 2020!
Christine Smith
Integrity Officer / Child Safety Coordinator