Working with Children Check
Working with Children Check
A Working with Children Check is a check pursuant to the Working with Children (Criminal Record Checking) Act 2004 (WA).
Working With Children Checks (WWCC) are only to be completed by parishioners or volunteers who actively participate in children’s ministry or activities and have completed Form 2. Clergy completing Form 1 also require a WWCC.
Please note: When completing the WWCC form, please leave sections 6 and 7 blank for the authorised representative of the Diocese to complete. View Sample WWCC Application Form for guidance.
Under the Act all those licensed as a Lay Pastoral Minister and any parishioner or volunteer who actively participates in children’s ministry or activities must have a current Working with Children Check that is countersigned by the Rector. If there is no priest at the Parish, the LPM can undertake this task. Evidence of this will be a Working with Children Card.
Working with Children who Volunteer in Op Shops
An adult who volunteers in an Op Shop and who works with volunteers who are children does not require a WWCC. It is not considered child-related work but rather working alongside a child who is also volunteering. Any criminal offences that may put children at risk would have been detected on a police clearance.
Child Volunteers
The following applies for children:
- Working with Children Check - volunteers under 18 years are exempt from applying.
- Working with Children Check - anyone under 18 years who is engaged in paid work in the Diocese must apply for a Working with Children Check.
Adverse Screenings - Working with Children Check
If an applicant’s eligibility to hold a WWC Card indicates an unacceptable risk to children, the applicant will be issued with an interim Negative Notice which cancels a current WWC Card and the Director of Professional Standards (DPS) and parish priest will be notified.
If an interim or final negative notice has been issued:
- it is an offence to engage in paid, voluntary or unpaid child-related work in Western Australia.
- the Interim Negative Notice remains in effect until it is cancelled under the WWC Act.
- if a Final Negative Notice is issued, it identifies that there is an unacceptable risk to children and the person concerned cannot work with children.
Anyone who receives a WWCC renewal card must provide the Diocese with a scanned or photocopy of the card.