There have been some changes to the laws around the Working With Children Check. This affects anyone who works or volunteers with kids. Organisations employing them are also affected.
A full list of the changes is available on the NSW Office of the Children’s Guardian website.
The main changes are:
- Everyone who holds a Check is now required to update their contact details within three months of any changes. Penalties will apply for people who don’t update.
- Employers risk incurring a fine if they don’t verify that their workers or volunteers who work with kids have had a Check or applied for one.
- All parents volunteering on overnight camps will now need a Check. The camp organiser needs to verify the Check and keep records.
Everyone in your organisation should be aware of the new requirement to keep their personal details up to date.
The NSW system is underpinned by an ongoing, continuous check. By registering and verifying, employers can be contacted by the Office of the Children’s Guardian should anyone become barred through the monitoring process. Fines for not verifying will apply to every organisation where people work with kids or volunteer with kids.
Who needs a Working With Children Check?
Anyone in child-related work. Child-related work is when contact with children is a usual part of the work, and not incidental. There are some exceptions, so please check the website if you’re unsure.
The Working With Children Check prevents people who pose a risk from working with children, but it’s not enough on its own. Organisations need to build a child safe culture with policies and procedures in place to make their organisation safe for kids.