Safeguarding Courses
Safeguarding in the Catholic Church in Aotearoa New Zealand - Online Course
Information on the course
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The NZ Catholic Bishops are committed to fostering a culture of safeguarding in the Church. All of us, as a Catholic community, have a responsibility to:
value all people and protect them from harm
create environments where people are welcome and safe.
This course is specifically for all those involved in ministry in the Catholic Church, whether in a paid or voluntary role. The course is conducted in collaboration with the National Office for Professional Standards.
Accessible throughout Aotearoa
The Safeguarding course is online. This means no matter where you live in New Zealand, if you have access to the internet, you can study this course.
What is the course about?
The course consists of two modules.
Module 1: Safeguarding Practices
This module establishes the foundations for developing a culture of safeguarding in the Catholic Church in Aotearoa. It focuses on:
Scripture
Theology
Our legal requirements
vulnerability
impact of abuse and neglect
our responses to abuse
To be successful, safeguarding requires strong leadership and an engaged approach by the community.
Module 2: Safeguarding Standards
In the second module, each of the Safeguarding Standards is examined with emphasis on their interconnectedness.
This module invites a critique of current practices in light of the Safeguarding Standards from both a personal and community perspective.
Who do I contact to find out more?
Please contact Susan: s.wilson@ctc.ac.nz
Diocesan Safeguarding Workshops
As part of our collaborative work to build safe and life-giving Parish communities all involved in ministry with children, young people and those who are vulnerable need to attend this Safeguarding workshop as part of their training.
The National Office for Professional Standards has recently reviewed the Safeguarding Workshop for Parishes and community organisations. The workshop continues to raise our awareness and understanding of safeguarding and what we need to do to create safer parish communities. There has been a nationwide trial of this new interactive workshop and it is now being rolled out through the country. There is a single workshop, and it can be offered in person or on Zoom. The plan is to offer the workshop throughout the Diocese.
Who should do the Workshops
Attending safeguarding workshops is a requirement for all those who work with children, youth or vulnerable adults. If you are involved in ministry as a volunteer/worker in any of your parishes or ethnic communities you need to complete the safeguarding requirements which includes attendance at Safeguarding Level 1 Workshop. Workshops will continue over the winter months in Dunedin, Oamaru and Invercargill Parishes.
You could be involved in any of the following ministries/roles:
· Children’s Liturgy of the Word
· Altar Service Trainers
· Parish Sacramental Preparation Leader/Coordinator or Catechists
· Sunday School Teachers
· Youth Ministry Leaders
· Parent Helpers/Chaperons on Camps
· RCIA Catechists
· Choir Leaders – where children or vulnerable adults are included in the general choir and for children’s choir
· Ministers of Holy Communion to the sick and housebound
· Pastoral Visitor
· Parish Visitors (Legion of Mary etc)
· Prison Ministry Teams and visitors
· Hospital Ministry Teams and visitors
· Those involved in other pastoral work involving children, youth or vulnerable adults e.g. prayer groups, work groups
Records of Safeguarding
Parishes need to keep a record of all those who attend the safeguarding training sessions as part of their compliance requirements. The diocese also records this information. This includes name of volunteer, volunteer area, date police vet clearance received, date and level of training. The National Office for Professional Standards is in the process of Safeguarding Diocesan Audits throughout New Zealand. In 2021 there was a Diocesan Safeguarding Review and this year there will be a Safeguarding Review of the Parishes which will begin over the winter.
New Developments
A NOPS Induction Safeguarding video will become available soon, which can be used with volunteers with the support of a Safeguarding Representative which will be the administration part of their specific role, including such things as the Code of Conduct and a role description. The Safeguarding Workshop will provide them with more background and the wider application of safeguarding, particularly with the scenarios section.
NOPS are They are also developing video training modules which they call “Hot Topics”. These will include risk management; two-person practice; encouraging children’s voice and basic behaviour management.
External Safeguarding Training
These organisations offer online courses, webinars, and resource. See their sites for details
http://safeguardingchildren.org.nz
Age Concern offers training around Elder Abuse.