All children, young people and adults who come to The Hermitage have a right to feel and be safe. We are
committed to their safety and wellbeing. We have a zero tolerance for any form of abuse or harm and are committed to acting in the best interests of children and adults, allowing them to actively participate in decisions that affect their lives and keeping them safe from harm.  The Hermitage is especially aware that some adult guests could be vulnerable adults (adults at risk) due to their life circumstances.

The Hermitage approaches its 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. Similarly, The Hermitage is committed to compliance with legislation that ensures the safety and well-being of adults.

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 adults 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 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 Operations and Facilities Manager, Mr Michael Maldonado, michael.maldonado@thehermitage.org.au
• 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. Procedures for reporting concerns are provided.
• Staff are provided with ongoing training, by externally qualified presenters on: 
• Recognising forms of abuse
• 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 board member, leader, 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. 

The Hermitage is committed to the continuous improvement of its safeguarding policies and procedures.

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

The document “The Marist Hermitage Spirituality Centre, Mittagong,  Safeguarding Policy” (2026) is a
supplement to “Province Safeguarding Policy”(Marist
Brothers’ Star of the Sea Province (2026), and the “National Catholic
Safeguarding Standards”. 2nd Editon (2022). 

Updated: March 2026.