Ignite 2024 Adult REGO FORM

CHILD PROTECTION: Children and young people have a fundamental right to be safe and to grow and develop in environments that are
free from violence, exploitation and harm. The safety and protection of children requires a commitment from all levels of the community. At the same time, the community has clear expectations that children, while involved in
church ministry, will be protected from all forms of harm including sexual, physical and psychological harm as well as ill-treatment and neglect. Any employees or volunteers engaged by a Diocesan agency or parish to minister to children are expected to understand the significant responsibility that they have in keeping children and young people safe and free from harm. People appointed to this kind of ministry understand that they are entering into a relationship of trust with the faithful on behalf of the Diocese. Any person involved in ministry acknowledges that they are assuming an important role on behalf of the Diocese
and the church generally. Therefore those engaged in ministry are required to carry out these duties with integrity, compassion, respect and courtesy. The authority provided to any person engaged in ministry is provided by the Diocese and may be removed at
any time

DISCLOSURE OF HARM:
Children and young people generally disclose with great hesitation and often with feelings of fear and guilt. It is therefore important to remain calm and supportive in these situations. Active listening without probing is required.
The following three steps are expected:
Reassure – the child or young person that:
• the child or young person did the right thing by telling you
• the child or young person is not in trouble
• you will tell someone who can help the child or young person
• the child or young person has a right to feel safe and protected
Record
• immediately anything that you are told or that you observe
• include the date, time, parties involved
• sign the record
Report – the incident immediately or as soon as practicably possible to the Parish Priest or Ministry Coordinator.

PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIPS WITH CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE:
It is expected that you will:
• Be caring, respectful compassionate and take an interest in the children and young people in your care
• Avoid as far as possible being alone with a child and young person and if required discuss strategies to
allow for observation beforehand
• Avoid favouring individual children and young people and treat them all equally
• Be equally available to all children and young people
• Avoid offering or receiving gifts to or from individual children and young people
• Remain removed from personal relationships with children and young people
• Restrict the transportation of children and young people in your car to circumstances that are in accordance
with prescribed policy
• Ensure that physical contact with children and young people is reasonable for the purpose of their
management or care. Examples include:
○ assessing a child or young person who is injured or ill
○ comforting an upset child
○ guiding a child or young person in a non-threatening manner
○ protecting a child or young person from imminent danger to himself/herself or to others
○ demonstrating or guiding a particular action or skill as part of drama or other activities within the lesson

INAPPROPRIATE PRACTICES:
The following practices are inconsistent with the values of the parish you represent and are therefore not permitted:
• the application of corporal punishment or physical force to punish or correct a child or young person
• using an object, such as a book to gain a child’s attention in a hostile or inappropriate physical manner
• hitting, kicking, shaking pulling, shoving, grabbing, pinching, poking or pushing a child or young person
• holding or restraining a child or young person other than to prevent injury or harm to them or others
intimidating, humiliating or swearing at a child or young person
• locking a child or young person in a confined space
• refusing biological needs or basic necessities
• using practices which instil fear or cause a to feel alienated
• having in your possession or providing children or young people with alcohol or prohibited substances
• providing tobacco or tobacco-based products to children and young people