Working with children check – Catholic Diocese of Port Pirie

The Catholic Diocese of Port Pirie takes seriously its duty of care to those who entrust themselves to it and to ensure the health, safety and welfare of all participants in programs and activities. In conjunction with the Catholic Archdiocese of Adelaide, the Port Pirie Diocesan WWCCs are facilitated by the Archdiocesan Screening and Verification Authority (SAVA).

The Diocese recognises and encourages the significant role that the Church community plays in the provision of an environment that protects our vulnerable groups (Includes the elderly, the disabled and those who are disadvantaged or experiencing crisis) and nurtures the well-being of children, young people and their families. In doing this the Diocese requires the Church community to implement practices which are defined as child safe and which sustain and maintain the sanctity of trust that children place in adults.

It is the policy and practice of the Catholic Diocese of Port Pirie that all persons who have a responsibility as volunteer, employee or contractor within the Church undergo a Working with Children Check. The check is used as part of the assessment process to determine a person’s suitability for volunteering or for a position of employment within the Diocese of Port Pirie and also within associated organisations closely affiliated with the Catholic Diocese.”

Application forms must be submitted to your parish nominated authorised person, with 100 points of identification.

Privacy and Confidentiality

The Catholic Diocese of Port Pirie respects the privacy of each individual and is committed to the protection of personal information. All information provided by Applicants or information received in relation to an Applicant’s checks will be treated confidentially and with the utmost regard to the individual’s privacy.

All Screening and Verification Authority personnel are bound by the National Privacy Principles (NPP) that guides organisations in regard to the collection, use, disclosure and handling of personal information.

Information about an individual will only ever be accessed by a very limited group of authorised persons who are required to assist with the lodgement, adjudication update and the notification process. All of the information provided is managed and stored within the Screening and Verification Authority which is a separate secure area, not accessible to unauthorised personnel. Information is held in accordance with a strict security policy relative to screening in the Catholic Diocese of Port Pirie.

At the completion of the final adjudication, information that will be retained by the Screening and Verification Authority is the Initiation Check Request form, email notifications relative to the check received from Department Human Services, a system notation as to the result of the check and any summarising documents relating to the outcome.

The information provided on the Initiation Check Request Form and any information received by the Catholic Diocese of Port Pirie during the check process cannot be used without your prior consent for any other purpose other than in relation to the assessment of your suitability to obtain clearance to be considered for appointment to a position of trust on behalf of the Diocese. The only exception to this will be:

Statutory obligation or court order require otherwise
Further consent is obtained from you clearly stating the purpose of the use of the information.

Any further enquiries relating to information held in relation to the checks should be directed to the Manager, Screening and Verification Authority on (08) 8210 8150 or via email to receptionsava@adelaide.catholic.org.au

Legalities

Legislation relevant to the Catholic Diocese of Port Pirie pursuant the requirements for screening are as follows:

Child Safety (Prohibited Persons) Act 2016 – (commenced 01/07/19 with 12 month transition period)
Child Safety (Prohibited Persons) Regulations 2019 – (commenced 01/07/19 with 12 month transition period)

ASSOCIATED ACTS:

Children and Young People (Safety) Act 2017
Spent convictions Act 2009
Spent convictions Regulations 2011
Children & Young People (Oversight & Advocacy) Act 2016
Children & Young People (Oversight & Advocacy) Regulations 2017
Public Sector (Data Sharing) Act 2016
Public Sector (Data Sharing) Regulations 2017