The Sisters of St Joseph of the Apparition are committed to ensuring safeguarding culture is embedded within their community, according to a safeguarding audit report published today by Australian Catholic Safeguarding Ltd.
This report release coincides with today’s Feast Day of St Joseph, the congregation’s inspirational patron.
The audit assessed how the Sisters have implemented the National Catholic Safeguarding Standards, the national framework for the safety of children and adults at risk for Catholic entities in Australia.
The audit found 92 per cent of the NCSS indicators relevant to the Sisters had been substantially implemented at the time of the assessment.
ACSL chief executive officer Ursula Stephens noted that the Sisters are deeply rooted in their community.
“The Sisters of St Joseph of the Apparition have been very active in the Perth region, and this has been accompanied by a commitment to ensuring the safety of the children and adults at risk they encounter in ministry,” Dr Stephens said.
“While as an ageing congregation there are now fewer Sisters in active ministry, a handful of Sisters remain in ministry.”
They now focus on financially supporting other Church entities.
The Sisters of St Joseph of the Apparition were assessed by ACSL as needing to undertake a Limited Review Audit because the Sisters have no formal governance over any ministry.
“The Sisters of St Joseph of the Apparition’s leadership team are also deeply aware of the increasing needs of their own members as they age, and recognising that some of their own members are now adults at risk,” Dr Stephens said.
“The leadership is taking proactive measures and employing professionals, to ensure the needs of the ageing members are being met.”
Dr Stephens said the report highlighted some areas where the Sisters can enhance their safeguarding practices, with one recommendation relating to “improved risk assessment and risk management to ensure greater awareness and understanding of the safeguarding risks”.
Sr Lilian Bong, Sisters of St Joseph of the Apparition delegation leader, reaffirmed the congregation’s ongoing commitment to children and adults at risk.
“We are and have always been committed to the thorough compliance with all the requirements in our Safeguarding documentation and practice.”
The report is available on ACSL’s website.
FULL STORY
Sisters of St Joseph of the Apparition committed to safety of people in Perth, audit finds (ACSL)
