Engaging with children, adults, families and communities

The self-assessment tool has been condensed, with standards grouped into four capability areas that are aligned to the second edition of the National Catholic Safeguarding Standards (NCSS).

CA Engaging with children adults families and communities

STANDARD 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.

STANDARD 3: Partnering with families, carers and communities

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

STANDARD 4: Equity is promoted and diversity is respected

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

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

Every person has the right to be protected from harm, to be listened to, to be taken seriously, and to have a say in matters that affect them. We know that some children and some adults experience greater vulnerability than others. Organisations that understand these needs and respect and uphold the dignity of all people, provide safer environments in which everyone can thrive.
Empowering children and adults to have a say in decisions that affect them is an integral part of every safe organisation. Connecting with families, carers and communities is also important, so that everyone can understand how and why decisions are made, where to go for information and help, and how to raise concerns. Recognising people’s diverse needs and circumstances is essential to building a safeguarding culture where ministries and services are provided in culturally safe and inclusive ways, facilitating self-determination.

—ACSL, National Catholic Safeguarding Standards: Safeguarding children and adults at risk, Edition 2, 2022, p.8.

Framework resources


Safeguarding

At the heart of who we are is not all the buildings but the person of Jesus Christ, who enters into our lives and who we then share with others.

Archbishop Peter A Comensoli