Outstanding work in the Safeguarding Activities Assessment Tool (SAAT) has won the parish of Canning Vale the prestigious SAAT 2024 Excellence Award.
The self-assessment was completed with the active participation of the Parish Priest, Safeguarding Officers, the parish council and support from the Safeguarding Program Office.
In doing so, the parish has demonstrated a strong commitment in both the leadership and the implementation of the National Catholic Safeguarding Standards (NCSS).
Safeguarding Officers Liselle Long, Carole Constance and Radha de Mel worked diligently with the Parish Priest Fr Jean-Noël Marie to complete the SAAT comprehensively.
To achieve excellence, the Parish must demonstrate that all the Safeguarding evidence are measurable and with a Standards Action Plan drawn up to close any gaps.
This is only achievable with the support and cooperation of the leaders of parish groups and their volunteers as a collective responsibility.
This special achievement was celebrated on Sunday 22 June – the Solemnity of Corpus Christi – with the active participation of Vicar General, the Very Rev Fr Vincent Glynn, who concelebrated Mass with Fr Jean-Noël Marie and presented the award to the SGOs during the Mass.
“The Safeguarding movement is a vital tool for the Catholic Archdiocese in their work of protecting children and vulnerable adults,” Fr Glynn explained.
“The Safeguarding Team at St Emilie’s have demonstrated a very high level of commitment and dedication to their ongoing role in the parish and are to be congratulated for achieving the high standards of the NCSS,” he said.