The National Council’s Safeguarding Working Group, together with the Safeguarding Officers Network, the Safeguarding Standards Office and the National Council CEO, recently gathered in Sydney to reflect on the future of safeguarding across the Society. Over two days, participants heard from industry professionals, shared space for connection, and discussed the challenges and experiences across the Society for renewed learning and commitment.

A clear message emerged: safeguarding is not optional and it’s not a compliance-based exercise; it is central to the Society’s mission. It is both a commitment to the safety of communities and an expression of respect for the dignity of children and adults experiencing vulnerability. Conversations moved beyond policy and compliance, returning to safeguarding as deeply mission-led work, embedded in culture and lived through everyday practice.

Dr Ursula Stephens, CEO of Australian Catholic Safeguarding Ltd, challenged participants to look beyond safeguarding as a box ticking approach. While national consistency remains important, she emphasised that safeguarding must shape behaviour, inform leadership, and be evident in culture and practice. She spoke directly to the responsibilities of Boards and Councils that cannot be delegated. Leaders must understand organisational risks, be confident in reporting and training systems, and see clearly how safeguarding is embedded in decision making. Crucially, they must seek assurance that safeguarding is lived in practice, rather than assuming this based on documentation alone.

This perspective was strengthened by Age Discrimination Commissioner Robert Fitzgerald AM, and former St Vincent de Paul Society SVdP-NSW President, who highlighted safeguarding in a human rights context. He deepened the reflections of Dr Stephens by highlighting that our roles are about reversing power imbalances, which presents strong prevalence in how abuse is executed. He reminded participants that organisations shape environments where people are either respected, heard and protected, or where harm can remain unaddressed and reinforce abuse for victims and survivors. For those already experiencing vulnerability, this commitment is an essential one of trust and dignity.

Dr Gabby Hunt and Associate Professor Tim Moore from Australian Catholic University presented research that offered a confronting reminder of the realities facing the Catholic Church and Catholic organisations since the Royal Commission. It highlighted rising peer-to-peer abuse, the impact of power imbalances, and ongoing challenges such as limited cultural change, compliance focused approaches, and denial of harm factors that continue to erode trust within the community. The reflections pointed to a clear way forward emphasising that safeguarding must move beyond obligation and be embedded in mission, with strong leadership, shared learning, and a genuine commitment to listening to the voices of children and survivors, both within the organisation and the wider community.

Narelle Story, Glebe Conference President, provided practical examples and ideas of lived experience of safeguarding in Conference work. Simple actions, such as making safeguarding a standing agenda item at Conference meetings or using the term “safeguarding referral”, help normalise safeguarding as part of everyday practice within the ‘Good Works’ of the Society. These consistent approaches build confidence and reinforce shared responsibility amongst Members.

The gathering also recognised progress across the States and Territories and Society entities, while acknowledging the need for continued growth. An address from Mark Gaetani, SVdP National President, highlighted the strong and encouraging safeguarding work already taking place across the Society. It was followed by an externally facilitated morning of cultural awareness training, focused on building cultural integrity in context and cultural safety in practice. The gathering concluded with an opportunity for network members to share experiences, voicing both challenges and strengths across States and Territories, highlighting the value of connection, shared learning and safeguarding as an ongoing journey.

Looking ahead, the challenge is to continue building a mature, mission-aligned safeguarding culture embedded within the Society. One that strengthens leadership, creates a community of knowledge, reflects the voices of victims and survivors in decision making, and remains visible and accountable both within the Society and to the broader community.

In essence, the gathering affirmed that safeguarding is not an added responsibility, but integral to the mission of the Society, expressed through its values, leadership and service.