Safeguarding

​​​​​​​​​​​​​Safeguarding at BCE

Safeguarding means promoting the wellbeing of children and young people, and creating safe environments that protect children and young people from abuse, harm and exploitation.

BCE is committed to safeguarding students that come into BCE's care by having student's interests and wellbeing at the centre of all we do.  

Safeguarding means ensuring our personnel, operations and activities promote the wellbeing of our students and do no harm to students.

Safeguarding is about prevention and response. It requires systems and practices that prevent harm to be in place, alongside procedures to respond effectively to any concerns about safeguarding concerns or incidents of harm that arise.   

What is BCE's approach to safeguarding?

Safeguarding is taken seriously at BCE and is a key focus within BCE's strategic plan. We have zero tolerance of abuse in any form and we continue to review and improve our systems and practices for a child safe environment.

At BCE our approach is to build a community of safeguarding that is underpinned by a child-rights approach.  

Safeguarding is embedded from the highest level of leadership and throughout all areas of the organisation. It is evidenced in our education of students, management of personnel, engagement with students and families and the enabling of safe systems.

It is to be lived, breathed and promoted in all BCE Schools and offices as a natural part of all ministry, work functions and educational activities.  

Our approach to safeguarding actively seeks the engagement and participation of students, parents/carers and our community to inform our safeguarding practices.

Our aim is to provide an educational culture for our students in which students experience being listened to and know action will be taken by an adult to keep them safe.

How does BCE safeguard students?

National Catholic Safeguarding Standards (NCSS).

As a Church entity, BCE adheres to the 10 NCSS which are formed upon the final recommendations of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

These 10 Standards are reflective of the Catholic Church's commitment to operationalise the safety of children who encounter the Church. These Standards embody the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations National Child Safe Organisations National Principles and consistent with the QLD Government child safety requirements.

Legislation compliance

BCE adheres to the QLD Government compliance regime that safeguards children and young people. This includes, but not limited to, implementing the Child and Youth Risk Management S​trategy, and having in place relevant screening and reporting procedures. 

Engagement

BCE considers engagement a critical aspect of building a child safe community. Initiatives are aimed at partnering with parents/carers, students and members of our school communities, particularly those from diverse backgrounds, to inform BCE safeguarding practices.

Engagement also includes collaboration with the Archdiocese of Brisbane, and its various parishes, agencies and ministries, for the purpose of safeguarding our students.

Engagement practices demonstrate BCE's commitment to National Catholic Safeguarding Standards 2, 3 and 4.

Continuous improvement

Ongoing review of policies and practices, and the analysis of concerns and complaints, form an important aspect of BCE's commitment to continuous improvement as required under National Catholic Safeguarding Standard No 9.

National Catholic Safeguarding Standards (NCSS)

To support the creation of a child safe environment, BCE has implemented the 10 NCSS throughout the organisation. ​​


​1. Committed leadership, governance and culture

The safeguarding of children and adults is embedded in the entity's leadership, governance and culture


​2. Children and adults are safe, informed and participate

Children and adults are informed about their rights, participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously. ​


​3. Partnering with families, carers and communities

​Families, carers and communities are informed and involved in promoting the safeguarding of children and adults

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4. Equity is promoted and diversity is respected

Equity is upheld and diverse needs respected in policy and practice​


5. Robust human resource management

People working with children and adults are suitable and supported to reflect safeguarding values in practice​


6. Effective complaints management

Processes for raising concerns and complaints are responsive, understood, accessible and used by children, adults, families, carers, communities and personnel​



7. Ongoing education and training


Personnel are equipped with knowledge, skills and awareness to keep children and adults safe through information, ongoing education and training​.

Learn more about this standard



​​8. Safe physical and online environments

Entities regularly review and improve implementation of their systems for keeping children and adults safe. ​


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9. Continuous improvement


Entities regularly review and improve implementation of their systems for keeping children and adults safe​.


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10. Policies and procedures support the safety of children and adults 

Policies and procedures document how the entity is safe for children and adults​. 


Learn more about this standard​


Engagement, participation and diversity- creating a safe environment

BCE is committed to enabling engagement and participation by students, parents and carers to inform and create a safe environment and to have an authentic voice in matters that affect them. 

Some pathways for engagement and participation to create a safe environment include:

Concerns or complaints

Concerns and complaints are valued as an opportunity to protect an individual from harm or to improve a practice or system. We encourage all concerns and complaints to be raised in the first instance with a relevant Manager or Principal in accordance with BCE complaint policies and procedures.   A concern or complaint that is of a safeguarding nature will be directed to the relevant BCE procedure for the appropriate response.

Information about how to raise a safeguarding concern or complaint are set out in the following procedures:

Other pathways for reporting concerns about the abuse or exploitation of a child or young person:

  • Concerns about abuse, exploitation or other serious misconduct by BCE personnel may be forwarded to STOPLINE which is an independent service established under the Archdiocese of Brisbane. 
  • If you have a reason to suspect a child in Queensland is experiencing harm, or is at risk of experiencing harm or being neglected, contact Child Safety Services Centres and talk to someone about your concerns:
    • During normal business hours - contact the Regional Intake Service.
    • ​After hours and on weekends - contact the Child Safety After Hours Service Centre on 1800 177 135. The service operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
  • Concerns or suspicions of a criminal nature should be reported directly to the Queensland Police Service:
  • If you believe a child is in immediate danger or a life-threatening situation call Triple Zero (000)
  • If there is no immediate danger, and you have serious concerns relating to the sexual abuse of a child contact Police link on 131 444.

Useful links and resources