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News and Media Releases
- Catholic diocese recognises child protection week with opening of new child protection unit
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Contributor:
Project Worker
Source: Church Resources
Posted: 7-9-2005
Since May 1999, under the Ombudsman's Act, the NSW Government has legislated that any organisation providing services for children is required to nominate a Head of Agency to deal with child protection matters.
Until recently, the Catholic Commission for Employment Relations (CCER) acted as the Head of Agency for each of the dioceses in NSW and ACT. This Head of Agency responsibility shifted from CCER to the bishop of each diocese of NSW and ACT on 1 July 2005.
According to the Most Reverend Michael Malone, Bishop of Maitland-Newcastle, “ In preparation for this significant change in managing and responding to child protection issues, I authorised a comprehensive consultation into diocesan needs in this area. The consultation recommended the establishment of a Diocesan Child Protection Unit drawing on the existing skills and resources of the Catholic Schools Office and Centacare Newcastle.
Ms Keevers said, “This is not the first child protection response in the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle. We already have a very efficient system within our schools and staff from the Catholic Schools Office Child Protection Unit are now working with me to form the basis of the new unit. We may bring on further staff as time and resources allow.”
“A priority for the diocese is working towards healing for those who have been affected by abuse within the Church. Some of our major advisers in the establishment and development of this unit have been directly affected by abuse within the Church. We are very grateful to them for their willingness to work with us in this significant venture,” Ms Keevers said.
Bishop Malone said he is “very conscious that there is a need to develop and preserve high levels of trust in all of our dealings with children. It's one of the fundamentals of the Church's mission”.
While the Child Protection and Professional Conduct Unit is located in Newcastle, the opening and blessing ceremony will take place at St Paul's Church, Rutherford, a central location within the Diocese.
“I commend the new Unit to all in the diocese in the fervent hope that together we can create a safe environment for children in our care and enhance the professional status of all our employees and volunteers,” Bishop Malone said.
Website: Diocese marks Child Protection Week with Child Protection unit opening
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