Policy for Working with Children
Purpose
The Victorian Government (along with other state governments) have been heavily involved in the last 20 years in introducing legislation which protects Child Wellbeing and Safety.
Worker Screening Act 2020 (Vic) prescribes the use of the Working with Children Check (WWC) for adults who work with children in a paid or volunteer capacity. The Check assists in protecting children from sexual and physical harm by ensuring that people who work with them are subject to a screening process.
The WWC is administered by the Victorian Department of Justice and Community Safety (DOJCS) and checks a person's criminal history for serious sexual, violence or drug offences and findings from professional disciplinary bodies.
This Policy sets out how BRYC will ensure that all staff, as well as all members, volunteers and contractors engaged in child related activities, have a valid WWC Check.
The Policy applies to:
- all staff, irrespective of whether that person’s work, activities or services directly relates to or otherwise involves children.
- all members, volunteers and contractors engaged in child-related activities or may have direct contact with children.
This Policy does not apply to:
- members of the club who will not have any contact with children while at the club.
- visitors to the club
Policy Statement (applied to any person 18 years or older)
- The Club will not employ anyone unless they apply for and obtain a valid, positive WWC prior to commencing at the Club. Casual staff may be permitted to engage in work while a WWC Check is being processed, provided the casual staff member is not engaged to carry out child-related work/activities e.g. Junior Coaching. Employees (including casuals) must notify DOJCS via the ‘WWC MyCheck Portal’ of their engagement with the Club within 21 days of commencing employment.
- The Club will strongly recommend to all Rescue Boat drivers the need for them to obtain a valid positive WWCC.
- The Club will not engage a person as a volunteer or contractor to conduct child-related activities or services unless they can provide evidence of a valid, positive WWC.
Administration
The Club’s Manager will maintain a record of all WWC Checks for employees, members, volunteers and contractors including their WWC card number, expiry date.
The employee, member, volunteer or contractor must ensure they renew their WWC upon expiry and advise the Manager of the new WWC Card Number and new expiry date.
WWC Checks are done via Services Vic via this link
https://service.vic.gov.au/services/working-with-children
The cost of a WWC Check for a paid employee is $131.60, while the cost for unpaid/volunteers is Free.
The Club will reimburse an employee for their WWC Check upon being granted a positive check and presenting their WWC Card.
