Audit findings report on transparency and diligence

The Archdiocese of Hobart’s Safe Communities initiative received pleasing results from a desktop audit conducted by independent risk management organisation ChildSafe Australia.

The audit studied documentation and resources supporting the safety and care of children and vulnerable people produced by Safe Communities. ChildSafe Australia acknowledged the strong safeguarding policies and practices in place in the Archdiocese of Hobart, including the training provided to Church personnel in regards to child and vulnerable safety.

Auditors also emphasised the diligence of the Archdiocese in meeting legislative requirements, and highlighted the transparent approach to safety with the community via the new Safe Communities website.

“The desktop audit, conducted by ChildSafe Australia, found that we [the Archdiocese of Hobart] had met the indicators very, very well,” said Fr Michael Tate, Chair of the Safe Communities Committee.

“There were a few exceptions, but it showed that the policies and the organisation at the diocesan level was in good shape to meet the expectations flowing out of the Royal Commission [into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse].”

The Archdiocese of Hobart met 35 out of the 42 indicators of the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations, and fully met seven out of the 10 National Principles for Child Safe Organisations. The National Principles reflect the ten standards recommended by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

“They can be confident that the overall structure for the diocese is a good one and that the audit is a helpful review – not an overbearing scrutiny of their current practices,” Fr Tate said.

“Between the diocesan and the parish audits we will then have a very clear picture as to how to achieve best practice right across every parish and Catholic entity group within Tasmania.”