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	St Patrick's Parish Lilydale - Guidelines for Work or Service with Minors and Vulnerab Lilydale and Yarra Leader January 3, 2011 http://lilydale-yarra-valley-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/st-patricks-parish-lilydale-guidelines-for-work-or-service-with-minors-and-vulnerable-adults/ DefinitionWork or service with minors includes any ministry that serves youth or vulnerable adults in any manner, or functions where minors are typically present. IntroductionThe Catholic Church values children as an important part of Parish life. We also value and respect that parents are the first teachers of the faith to their own child(ren) and protectors of their children. St Patrick's Parish is therefore presenting this Policy as a means of supporting both the Church's teachings and the parents' love and care of their children. Supervision of Programs that Involve Minors 1. Children should never be left alone at the Presbytery. If parents require the priest to see their child(ren), parents should be present at all times, unless the children are related to the Priest and it is done with the knowledge and consent of the parents. 2. Parents have a right to observe programs and activities in which their children are involved. However, parents who desire to participate in, or have continuous ongoing contact with their child's programs in the Church, which may involve other children, are required to have a current Working with Children Check. 3. Programs for minors shall be supervised by an adult with a current Working with Children Check. 4. All school activities are governed by DEET Guidelines. 5. Minors may be released only to parents, legal guardians, or other persons designated by parents or legal guardians at the close of services or activities. When there is a question about the propriety of releasing a minor, the immediate supervisor should be contacted before releasing the child. 6. Inappropriate behaviour of minors or vulnerable adults should be reported immediately to parents. Standards for Interaction with Minors & Vulnerable Adults Appropriate & Acceptable The following positive social behaviours are regarded as appropriate and acceptable. • Pats on the shoulder or back. • Hand-shakes. • "high-fives" and Hand slapping. • Verbal praise. (not relating to physique or body development). • Touching hands, faces, heads, shoulders and arms of minors. • Arms around shoulders. • Holding hands while walking with small children. • Sitting beside small children. • Kneeling or bending down for hugs with small children. • Holding hands during prayer. Inappropriate & ProhibitedThe following forms of contact are regarded as inappropriate and prohibited. • inappropriate embraces • kisses on the mouth • inappropriately holding minors over four years old on the lap • touching buttocks, chests or genital areas • showing affection in isolated areas such as bedrooms, closets, staff-only areas or other private rooms • being on a bed with a minor • wrestling with minors • tickling minors • piggyback rides • any type of massage given by minor to adult • any type of massage given by adult to minor • any form of unwanted affection • compliments that relate to physique or body development. All other forms of physical contact are considered inappropriate and unacceptable. Prohibited Behaviour 1. The use of physical discipline in any way for behaviour management of minors is prohibited. 2. Abuse and neglect of minors are contrary to the teachings of the Church and are prohibited. Those that serve in the parish have a responsibility to protect minors from all forms of abuse, physical, sexual or emotional, and/or neglect., and are prohibited from : • speaking to minors in a way that is harsh, threatening, intimidating, shaming, derogatory, demeaning or humiliating; • swearing at a minor; • physically abusing a minor; • sexually abusing a minor; • neglecting a minor; • encouraging a minor to violate the law; • offering alcohol or illegal drugs to minors or anyone to who you have duty of care; • offering pornography to anyone 3. Furthermore, when in the presence of minors, those that serve in the Parish are prohibited from: • swearing or using vulgar language; • abusing alcohol • using, possessing or being under the influence of illegal drugs; • discussing their own sexual activities; • possessing or displaying sexually oriented or morally inappropriate printed or electronic materials (eg magazines, cards, videos, films, clothing, internet sites, etc); • engaging in any sexually oriented conversations with minors unless the conversations are part of a legitimate lesson and discussion regarding human sexuality issues (on such occasions, the lesson will convey the Church's teachings on these topics. Any further questions not answered or addressed by their individual teachers, they should be referred to their parents or guardians for clarification or counselling); • undressing or being nude • taking a shower; • sleeping in the same bed, or sleeping bag with a minor Guidelines for Use of Emerging Communication TechnologiesThe use of electronic contact between minors and adults serving in ministry with minors is permitted for legitimate school and church sponsored purposes. To ensure adequate monitoring of such contacts, emails sent to minors should be copied to parents or guardians, phone calls should be made to a family home number. This policy will be reviewed by July, 2011. Please address to Paris Advisory Team any written comments and recommendations prior to this date. All comments and recommendations will be taken into consideration during the policy review. PARISH OF ST. PATRICK'S LILYDALE CODE OF ETHICS All individuals who serve in the parish shall : • exhibit the highest Christian ethical standards and personal integrity. • conduct themselves in a moral manner that is consistent with the discipline, norms and teachings of the Catholic church. • provide a professional work environment that is free from harassment. • not take advantage of a counselling, supervisory or authoritative relationship for their own benefit.. • not act in an abusive or neglectful manner. • share concerns about suspicious or inappropriate behaviours with their priest, their principal, the Vicar General, the Catholic Education Office, or the Bishop. • adhere to the requirements of the State and federal Laws regarding the reporting of any suspected abuse of a minor. • accept their personal responsibility in the protection of minors from all forms of abuse.
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