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Working With Children (WWC) CheckWhat is a WWC Check and why do we need to conduct it? How is a WWC Check different to a Police Check? When does the WWC Check need to be introduced? What is meant by 'usually or likely to be involved in regular, unsupervised, direct contact'? Who will pay for the WWC Check and how much will it cost? How long is a WWC Check valid for? How do you apply for a WWC Check? How long does it take to process a WWC Check? What does a WWC Check achieve or result in? What happens if you get an 'Assessment Notice & WWC Card' from a WWC Check? What happens if you get an 'Interim Negative Notice' or a 'Negative Notice' from a WWC Check? Can you appeal the outcome of a WWC Check? What is the UB monitoring and record keeping process for WWC Checks? What happens if my personal circumstances change after I have had a WWC Check? Where can I find the UB WWC Check Policy & Procedure? How & where do I get more information on the WWC Check?
What is a WWC Check and why do we need to conduct it?The WWC Check is a legislative requirement under the Working with Children (WWC) Act 2005 and the Working with Children (WWC) Regulations 2006. In 2006, the Victorian Government introduced a new checking system to help protect children under 18 years of age from physical or sexual harm. The WWC Check is one mechanism to help keep children safe. It is designed to compliment good recruitment, selection (including reference checking), supervision and training practices for staff, volunteers and contractors who work with children. The WWC Check creates a mandatory minimum checking standard across Victoria. Applicants are checked to make sure they do not have any relevant criminal offences or findings that may mean they are not suitable to work with children. Back to the TopHow is a WWC Check different to a Police Check?The WWC Check is a different and separate process from a Police Check in the following ways:
It is important to note that if you have had a Police Check you will still need a WWC Check if you are engaged in child-related work as defined. Back to the TopWhen does the WWC Check need to be introduced?The WWC Checks have been progressively introduced throughout relevant industries and professions in Victoria since April 2006. In our case, the legislated deadline for our relevant staff, volunteers and contractors to have undergone a WWC Check is the 1 July 2008. Back to the Top Who will require a WWC Check?In general, universities are exempt from the WWC legislation unless they have the following child-related work or activities:
Back to the Top What is meant by 'usually or likely to be involved in regular, unsupervised, direct contact'?It is important to note that it is not the intention of the legislation to require everyone who works with children in every circumstance to undergo a WWC Check. In making a judgement on whether you will require a WWC Check, you will need to understand the legislative intention of what is meant by the phrase "….usually or likely to be involved in regular, unsupervised, direct contact…". In order to do this, you will need to work through the definitions of the key words in the phrase. The WWC Act 2005 only defines some of these words and the others can be defined using the most commonly accepted dictionary definitions as follows: The following terms have been defined in the Working with Children Act 2005 as follows:
"Direct supervision of a person requires immediate and personal supervision but does not require constant physical presence……'Supervised' has its ordinary, everyday meaning. A supervisor is a person who has the role of overseeing the work of another person while that person engages in the work". Section 9. (2).
Direct Contact: "means any contact between a person and a child that involves - If you are still in doubt after working through these definitions, you can also refer to a range of examples or scenarios that have been prepared by the Victorian Solicitors Office on the following website: http://www.ballarat.edu.au/vco/legal/Policies/Guideline/VSOWWCGuidelinesRevised5DEC07.pdf Back to the Top Who will pay for the WWC Check and how much will it cost?Existing staff For reimbursement of costs, existing staff will be required to complete a 'Staff Requisition for Reimbursement' form and attach all receipts. Reimbursement will be made into your nominated bank account within approximately two weeks. The 'Staff Requisition for Reimbursement' form is available from the following website: http://www.ballarat.edu.au/fdp/internal/FO-1999-01.Staff%20Reimbursement.xls All reimbursement enquiries need to be directed to Finance. New Employees Volunteers Contractors Back to the Top How long is a WWC Check valid for?A WWC Check is valid for 5 years and is transferable when you change employers unless it is revoked or surrendered within that time period. Back to the Top How do you apply for a WWC Check?Application for a WWC Check can only be made by the individual concerned and lodged at most Australia Post offices. Application forms are available from most Australia Post offices and will also be made available from designated Administrative Offices at each campus. This information will be provided as soon as possible. An applicant must also provide a recent colour passport size photograph of themselves which must be affixed to the WWC Application Form. The Application Form must then be signed by the applicant and witnessed by an Australia Post Officer. Passport type photos can be provided by our UB Media, Print & Web Services at Mt. Helen Campus. Further details on how to complete the WWC Check Application Form are outlined on the form itself. Back to the Top How long does it take to process a WWC Check?It can take anywhere between 3 to 8 weeks to process a WWC Check application. However, the WWC Act 2005 does allow persons to continue performing child-related work whilst the application is being processed unless they:
Back to the Top What does a WWC Check achieve or result in?On processing a WWC Check application, the Department of Justice will issue and forward directly to the individual either of the following: If you are issued with an Assessment Notice and WWC Card, you will need to present both items to your respective Head of School or Director to be sighted. Existing, on-going or fixed-term employees You will then be required to carry your WWC Card at all times when you are working in child-related work or activities as defined. Existing casual/sessional employee or a contractor or a volunteer Back to the Top What happens if you get an 'Interim Negative Notice' or a 'Negative Notice' from a WWC Check?Employees Contractors or Volunteers They will then sight, photocopy and sign off on the Interim or Negative Notice, record the date of issue on your records file and determine the next appropriate course of action in consultation with the appropriate Deputy Vice-Chancellor or Vice-President. Appropriate Course of Action Back to the Top Can you appeal the outcome of a WWC Check?If you have been issued with an Interim Negative or Negative Notice, you can appeal the decision to the Victorian Civil & Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) as outlined in the WWC Act 2005 and WWC Regulations 2006. You cannot be engaged in any child-related work or activities during this appeal process. You will not be entitled to the appeals process if you are subject to reporting obligations under the Sex Offenders Registration Act 2004 or an extended supervision order under the Serious Sex Offenders Monitoring Act 2005. Any appeal will need to be lodged and actioned by the individual and will be solely between the individual and the Department of Justice. The University of Ballarat will not become involved in any appeal nor will it lodge any appeals on individuals' behalf. Back to the Top What is the UB monitoring and record keeping process for WWC Checks?Existing, on-going or fixed-term employees Existing casual/sessional employees or contractors or volunteers Back to the Top What happens if my personal circumstances change after I have had a WWC Check?If after you have undergone a WWC Check your personal circumstances change as follows: The Head of School or Director will immediately withdraw you from all child-related work or activities and will determine the next course of action either in conjunction with the Director, Human Resources or the relevant Deputy Vice-Chancellor or Vice President. Furthermore, you must also advise the Department of Justice within seven (7) days. Failure to do so could result in criminal penalties. Back to the Top Where can I find the UB WWC Check Policy & Procedure?The University of Ballarat WWC Check Policy and Procedure can be found on both the Human Resources website under 'Policies, Procedures and Guidelines'http://www.ballarat.edu.au/aasp/staff/personnel/policies_proc.shtml and on the UB Home Page under 'UB Policy Database' Back to the Top How & where do I get more information on the WWC Check?More information on the WWC Check can be sought on the Department of Justice website as follows:http://www.justice.vic.gov.au/workingwithchildren/ or by contacting Carl Trotta, Manager-Human Resources on 5327 9304 or email: c.trotta@ballarat.edu.au Back to the Top |