‘Safeguarding at the forefront of parish life’

By Wendy Shaw

Volunteers and church workers are the living pillars of the parish, according to Burnie-Wynyard Parish Administrator Fr Jessie Banez.

So it is vital that everyone is safe and safeguarding protocols are in place.

Safe Communities and Professional Standards Co-ordinator Diane Kelly, from the Archdiocese of Hobart’s Safe Communities Team, led a well-attended training session at Star of the Sea Church, Burnie on 21 August.

It covered safeguarding compliance and the key role that clergy, staff and volunteers play in creating safe environments in parishes.

Fr Jessie said afterwards: “We want to provide a safe environment for families, children, and vulnerable people who come to this place of worship.

“Safety must always come first. As Burnie-Wynyard Parish, we are committed to ensuring that our church remains a safe place for all children and vulnerable adults as we continue to offer them pastoral and spiritual care.

“Our volunteers and church workers should also feel safe in the environment where they serve. This is why it is essential that they complete the necessary documentation and understand the safeguards that help protect them and others.

“Awareness of potential risks is necessary so we can foster inclusive and safe public spaces. Providing practical guidance on response procedures and personal safety measures will help us serve our parish community well.”

Fr Jessie praised the generous contributions of volunteers and urged more parishioners to ‘share their gifts and help bring life to our parish’.

“Our parish volunteers are dedicated people who generously serve the church in many ways – as cleaners, cuppa servers, liturgical ministers, readers, welcomers, flower arrangers and more,” he said.

“Through their commitment, they show a strong sense of ownership and care for parish life.

“Volunteers and church workers are the living pillars of the parish, helping our liturgy function and supporting the day-to-day life of the church …

“Burnie-Wynyard Parish is truly volunteer-driven, blessed by people who serve with dedication and joy.”

The session covered safeguarding requirements, responsibilities and expectations, as well as the importance of maintaining current clearances and training.

“The session also provided updated information on safeguarding adults at risk, recognising that safeguarding extends beyond children and young people to include older people, people with disability, people experiencing isolation or dependency, and others who may require additional support,” Diane said.

Online safety was also covered, including the importance of appropriate boundaries when using digital platforms.

The sessions were vital in outlining safeguarding responsibilities and how to recognise, respond to and report concerns.

“With safeguarding now extending to include adults at risk and online safety, these sessions ensure volunteers are aware of emerging risks and understand how they can contribute to creating safe and welcoming environments for everyone,” Diane said.

“Regular training also helps keep safeguarding at the forefront of parish life and reinforces that it is an ongoing responsibility shared by everyone.”

A training course has also recently taken place in Kingston-Channel Parish.

Meanwhile, the Safe Communities Team is preparing a new volunteer handbook, to be released later this year. It will include clear and practical information about safeguarding responsibilities, expectations and the important role volunteers play in creating safe and welcoming parish communities.

“Safeguarding is an ongoing responsibility for everyone within our parish communities,” Diane added.

“It is important that we continue to build a culture where people feel safe to speak up, concerns are taken seriously, and everyone understands their role in keeping children, young people and adults at risk safe.

“Our ongoing training, compliance work and the release of the new volunteer handbook are all part of this continued commitment to safeguarding.”