The Integrity and Safeguarding Department delivers critical services and programs across the archdiocese's parishes and communities to support the proper safeguarding of children, young people, and vulnerable adults. Our personnel acknowledge the inherent dignity of each individual, understand they have a shared and collective responsibility for keeping children and vulnerable adults safe, and endeavour to involve children, young people, and vulnerable adults in decision-making wherever possible. 

The department's safeguarding framework, which mirrors the requirements of the National Catholic Safeguarding Standards, encompasses a holistic, broad-based approach to the protection of children and the vulnerable. This approach includes the delivery of targeted safeguarding programs at the parish and community level, the implementation of robust safeguarding policies and procedures, thorough screening and background checking of all personnel, and the delivery of contemporary safeguarding training and education programs. The department's long-term goal is to promote and sustain cultures of safety across the archdiocese in which effective risk prevention, identification, and management is routinely practised, safeguarding awareness is habitually high, and the safety of children and the vulnerable is always prioritised. 

The Department is also responsible for providing ethical and just responses to current and historical allegations of abuse or misconduct. This involves the provision of sensitive and thorough complaint management processes.as well as the delivery of high-level investigative and risk management interventions to maximise the safety of our parishes and communities. The Department strives to put safety and integrity at the centre of its mission and to build a safe, transparent, and welcoming church environment to enable all to flourish in God's care. 

The services of the Integrity and Safeguarding Department are also extended to providing high level advice and support to associated agencies of the archdiocese including Catholic Education South Australia and Centacare. Support is also provided to the dioceses of Darwin and Pt Pirie. 

“The protection of minors and vulnerable persons is an integral part of the Gospel message…we all have the duty to welcome openheartedly minors and vulnerable persons and to create a safe environment for them, with their interests as a priority” – Pope Francis 2019