All children and young people who come to The Hermitage have a right to feel and be safe. We are committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people. We have a zero tolerance for child abuse and other harm and are committed to acting in the best interests of children and young people, allowing them to actively participate in decisions that affect their lives and keeping them safe from harm.  

The Hermitage approaches its child safeguarding responsibilities with the utmost importance and is committed to providing the necessary resources to ensure compliance with all relevant child protection laws and regulations and maintaining a child safe culture.  

Each member of The Hermitage community has a responsibility to understand the important and specific role that they play, individually and collectively, to ensure that the wellbeing and safety of all children and young people is at the forefront of all that they do and every decision that they make.  

Our Child Protection Program is designed to maintain a safe and supportive environment, to embed a culture of child safety within The Hermitage community, and to comply with the National Catholic Safeguarding Standards.  

Our Program includes the following key aspects:

• The contact persons who oversee Safeguarding at The Hermitage are the Director, Mr John Hickey, john.hickey@marists.org.au and, in his absence, the Le Rosey Guest Services Manager
• Recruitment at The Hermitage includes screening and the induction process includes matters relating to keeping children and young adults safe
• A register is held of all staff, ongoing contractors and Brothers, who work at The Hermitage to ensure current Working With Children Checks and police checks are in place
• Our Code of Conduct, Policies and guidelines are presented to staff regularly at The Hermitage staff in-service. Briefings are given to all guests, teachers and students, on the arrival of each group and covers measures taken to ensure the safety and comfort of guests, including expectations of all guests whilst on site. 
• Staff are provided with ongoing training, by externally qualified presenters on: 
• Recognising forms of abuse and reporting procedures
• Reporting forms of abuse allegations
• Recording forms of abuse allegations
• Visitors/Contractors to the site are required to report to Reception and complete a “Prohibited Person Declaration”; their visit is recorded, including date and time on site, in a register located in the office. A “Visitors” badge is then issued and must be worn at all times. When the visitor leaves, they hand in their badge and the leaving time is noted in the register. 
• Signage has been placed at numerous and strategic positions across the property indicating: 
• All contractors/visitors to register at Reception 
• A notice advising guests to report any person who make them feel uncomfortable
• Notice to all La Valla and Cottage guests restricting entry to the Le Rosey site (when student groups are in residence)

The safety and protection of children and young persons involved with Marist ministries is the responsibility of everyone involved with them, whether as governor, administrator, staff member, Brother or volunteer.  Each person in a Marist work or Marist community has a duty to know and understand this policy and all other relevant legislative and professional requirements, and to be ready to recognise both signs and risks of harm and know how to respond appropriately. 

For a full copy of the Child Safeguarding Policy, please contact The Hermitage on 4872 1911. 

The document “The Marist Hermitage Spirituality Centre, Mittagong, Child Safeguarding Policy” is a supplement to “Safeguarding Policy - Keeping Them Safe” (Marist Brothers’ Province of Australia (May 2021), the National Principles for a Child Safe Organisation and National Catholic Safeguarding Standards (2019). 

Updated: 1 October 2024