Child Safety & Code of Conduct
“As Archbishop, I am committed to ensuring that the Diocese, including its parishes and congregations, complies with these standards and I would like to assure you of the Diocese’s commitment to help and support you in that regard.”
– Archbishop of Melbourne Dr Philip Freier
The Child Safe Standards
All Victorian organisations providing services or facilities to children (including religious bodies, parishes and authorised congregations) are required to comply with the Victorian Child Safe Standards. This is to ensure that the safety and wellbeing of children is promoted, child abuse is prevented, and allegations of child abuse are responded to properly and promptly. 
Implementing the Standards
The Commission for Children and Young People (CCYP) require organisations to undertake a thorough self-assessment in order to form an action plan to address any gaps in compliance with the standards.
The Diocese has developed an Action Plan for Meeting the New Victorian Child Safe Standards. This Action Plan has specific actions for both the diocese as well as for parishes and congregations to meet each Child Safe Standard and its compliance indicators. Each parish and congregation is expected to engage in these parish actions. Please use this template to measure and assess the parish response to each action on the plan.
The Diocese is a complex organisation comprising over 200 parishes, congregations and faith communities. Embedding a culture of child safety and wellbeing requires action at every level of the diocese from the Archbishop’s office to the smallest parish or congregation and a commitment from their leaders, clergy, staff and volunteers.
Action Plan and Diocesan Resource Links
- ADOM Action Plan for Meeting the New Victorian Child Safe Standards
- Action Plan Information Session Recording & Handout
- Parish Self-Assessment Template to be used with Action Plan for Meeting New Victorian Child Safe Standards 2023 (note: download a copy of the document for parish use)
- Child Safe Standards Self-Assessment Template June 2022 for parishes and congregations (note: download a copy of the document for parish use)
- Action Plan Frequently asked questions
Child Abuse Risk Management Resource Links
- ADOM Child Abuse Risk Management Tool – (note: word file updated April 2024)
CCYP Resources
- CCYP Resources and support
- Short Guide to the Child Safe Standards
- Guide for Creating a Child Safe Organisation for details of the documents and actions that are required as evidence of compliance with each standard.
- Plain Language Poster of the Victorian Child Safe Standards
- Translated new Child Safe Standards Information
- Child safe standards CCYP Presentation
- Taking Children’s Safety Seriously