Working with Children Check Child related workers Child related volunteers Who needs a check? Face to face contact with children in a child related sector Work in a child related role What is child related work? April 2015 to March 2016 But you can start applying now When does it start? Find out if you need a check by taking this quiz Managers Coaches Regular event volunteers Exec who deal with children Examples include:
Exemptions Under 18’s Parent of a direct team member Administrative roles not requiring contact with children for extended periods Visitors or contractors for one off events Interstate visitors if at a one off event or event that does not exceed 30 days Umpires Must be supervised and not left alone with children for prolonged periods Examples of Exemptions to the check If you are in child related work BUT you qualify for one of the following example exemptions you DO NOT need to apply for a WWCC Refer to the WWCC Factsheet4: Exemptions for all conditions of these examples –
Go to to complete the application. You can call (02) for assistance. Click on Start Here blue box Select the Apply for Your Check box and complete all sections of the form ensuring that: You insert your full name as stated on your Driver’s Licence or the Proof of ID you intend to use. In the Purpose for Check section ensure you select the correct category: ‘paid’ or ‘volunteer worker’. In the Child Related Sector section – select ‘Clubs’ or ‘other bodies providing services to children’ When completed, click NEXT in the lower right hand corner You will receive an with an application number similar to this: APP E Print out the with the application number Individual responsibilities For help with this process an online tutorial is available STEP 1: Complete the Application form On-line
Find a location at Attend a Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) office and take with you: Your Application Number Proof of your identity (i.e. NSW Drivers Licence or other ID as stated on your application). $80 fee IF you are in paid work (Paid workers pay $80 for a 5 year clearance) STEP 2: Attend an RMS Office, Government Access Centre, or Service NSW office.
Note: if you volunteer for more than one you will need to be verified by each You should receive your WWC Number by within 10 days or by post if you do not have . If you have not received your results within four weeks, please your details and application number to Note: Volunteer numbers will have a V at the end and paid workers E Provide your WWC Number to your Club or Association STEP 3: Provide your WWC Number to the Club or Association
Go to with-children/working-with-children-checkhttp:// with-children/working-with-children-check Click on Start Here blue box In the Employer Registration section click on the Register button Complete the Organisation details (remember to update details for main contacts following any changes in the committee) Click Submit Association and Club responsibilities For help with this process an online tutorial is available STEP 1: Create an employer account
Click Start here button Choose Employer log in and verify from the Verify section and enter login details. (If you have not already registered as an employer you will need to register first) Select Verify Working With Children status tab Enter the worker’s: Surname Date of birth Working With Children Check number (or application number) Click Verify For help with this process an online tutorial is available STEP 2: Verify the Check
Understanding the verification results Once you have submitted these details, a brief report will appear on-screen. The table below provides the possible results and their meaning: StatusMeaning Application in progress A WWCC application is being processed and the applicant may work with children. If the applicant becomes barred, the OCG will contact you and advise you of what to do next. Cleared This applicant has a WWCC clearance that is valid until the listed expiry date. Barred The applicant has been barred from working with children and it is an offence to engage this person in child-related work or child-related roles. Interim barred The applicant has been barred from working with children during the course of a risk assessment. It is an offence to engage this person in child-related work or child-related roles Not found The database cannot find a matching WWCC for any one of these reasons: The data entered for verification (name, date of birth or WWCC number) has errors The person’s application has been withdrawn or terminated without an outcome The person has not completed an application for a WWCC It is an offence to engage this person in child-related work or child-related roles. Association and Club responsibilities
Individuals are sent a renewal reminder three months before it expires but employers do not receive this notification. Workers are responsible for applying and renewing their own WWCC, employers only have the responsibility to verify. Clubs and Associations MUST keep a separate record of child-related workers to include as a minimum: Once the number has been verified you CANNOT access the information again. These records may be electronic or in hard copy format, but must be made available if required for audit by the Office of Children’s Guardian and your own monitoring purposes. Netball NSW have a template (via which organisations can use: Record keeping Full name Date of birth WWCC number (or application number) Outcome of online verification Expiry date Verification date
The Working with Children Check is one small part of becoming child safe. While a criminal record check can be an important tool, they can’t identify people who have not previously been caught or are yet to offend. Beyond the WWCC - Being a child safe organisation Involves a large number of people under 18 Sport… Can involve overnight and away trips Usually involves close trusting relationships between adults and children Children are most vulnerable between The facts… One in three girls and one in six boys will be sexually abused in some way before the age of 18 years. (Australian Institute of Criminology, 1993) 70% of child sex offenders have between 1 and 9 victims; 20% have 10 to 40 victims (Elliott & Kilcoyne, 1995) Around 80 per cent of the time, the offender is known to the child. (Bagley, 1995) In excess of 95 per cent of perpetrators are male against male and female children. (Bagley, 1995)
Office of the Children’s Guardian 5 C’s framework Commitment: Child safe policy Risk management strategy Child participation considerations Capability: Code of conduct Recruitment and staff management Information management Built environment Concerns: Child protection reporting Employment proceedings, Managing complaints Community: Community engagement In-service activities Compliance: Organisational compliance The Office of the Children’s Guardian has developed a framework of five standards called the “5 C’s”. Meeting all of the standards helps organisations to be child safe.
Simple ways to be child safe Minimise/prevent situations where an adult may be alone with a child (eg Club house procedures) Transporting children? Always 2 children in a car and in the back. The last child you drop off should be your own. Residential setting / Camps? – adults never sleeping in the same room Have codes of conduct for all your staff, volunteers etc. Develop child safe guidelines for your Club / Association Provide first aid in Open areas – not behind closed doors. If sending a text – add in DO NOT REPLY. If sending an – always cc in another member of the Club Only send s / texts addressed to parents Talk to your juniors to understand their needs and concerns
Support and additional resources Netball NSW have a number of guidelines, policies and checklists which can support in becoming a child safe organisation. These can be found via and Library via Policies and Forms or Fact Sheets and Resources. Some other ideas and external websites that can help:
For questions on the Working with Children Check please contact the OCG directly on the details below: Office of the Children’s Guardian Working With Children Check (02) Please refer to for more detail. If you cannot find the answer contact Netball NSW on (02)