The Safe Environments for All (SEFA) program was introduced across all parishes in 2016 to provide a framework for parishes to safeguard children and young people.

The SEFA program closely mirrors the National Catholic Safeguarding Standards which were developed in 2018 in response to recommendations from the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

In 2019 the National Catholic Safeguarding Standards were expanded to incorporate vulnerable adults. In keeping with these standards, the archdiocese now also incorporates safeguarding of vulnerable adults within its SEFA program.

The SEFA program provides a framework for parishes and Catholic multicultural communities to implement safeguarding initiatives, measure their safeguarding progress, and to develop safeguarding action plans. Its purpose is to assist parishes and multicultural communities to develop parish cultures which are genuinely safe for children, young people, and vulnerable adults. The program has a strong focus on parish leadership to oversee the implementation of safeguarding action plans and to regularly review safeguarding progress. SEFA also highlights the rights of children, young people, and vulnerable adults and seeks to ensure that they are listened to, engaged with, and empowered to participate in the life of the Church community.

If you have any queries relating to our Safe Environments for All (SEFA) Program, please contact the Safeguarding Operations Team:

Ph 8210 8150 or E: caasafeoperations@adelaide.catholic.org.au

FAQs currently under maintenance.