Working with Children Check
PREAMBLE
Under the Working with Children (Criminal Record Checking) Act 2004 (The
Act), compulsory criminal record checks are required for people working with
children. These checks are a national check to identify those who have a
criminal history which indicates they may harm children.
This policy is relevant to all Murdoch University staff and students
(domestic and international) undertaking child related work in the areas listed
in Schedule 1.
DEFINITIONS
| Asessment notice: |
A Working with Children Check. |
| Child: |
A person under the age of 18 years. |
| Child related work: |
If the usual duties of the work involve, or are likely
to involve contact with a child in connection with areas outlined in
Section 6 of the Act. |
| Negative notice: |
A negative notice is a notice issued under the Act which
prohibits a person from child-related work in Western Australia. |
| Work: |
Includes practical training undertaken as part of an educational or vocational course. |
| 1. |
Staff and students (domestic and international) from
areas in Schedule 1 must obtain a positive assessment notice from a
Working with Children Check to start or continue in child related work. |
| 2. |
The only exemptions to this are when: |
| |
2.1 |
The person is under 18 years of age; or |
| |
2.2 |
The person will be in contact with children for less than five days
(including part days) in a calendar year; or |
| |
2.3 |
The person is a short term visitor to Western Australia carrying out
child related work for two weeks after their arrival, and for no more
than two weeks over a 12 month period. |
| 3. |
Procedures to apply for a Working with Children Check
are outlined in the Appendix. A positive, interim positive, negative or
interim negative assessment notice will be issued. |
| 4. |
If a positive or interim positive assessment notice is
issued the person may start or continue in child related work |
| 5. |
If a negative or interim negative assessment notice is
received the person must not start or if already commenced immediately
stop child related work. Penalties apply for employers who employ a
person with a negative or interim negative assessment notice. |
| 6. |
Students working with children as part of their
course:
University publications including University and School specific web
pages, the handbook, course flyers, information sessions and Unit
Information and Learning Guides must clearly outline any requirement for
a Working with Children Check, and that receipt of a negative assessment
notice at any point means students undertaking courses in Schools listed
in Schedule 1: |
| |
6.1 |
Will not be able to complete units that involve child related work; |
| |
6.2 |
Must contact the relevant professional board to determine
requirements for registration and employment if they received a negative
assessment notice; and |
| |
6.3 |
Will not be able to complete courses that involve child related work
as a course or professional requirement. |
| 7. |
Students who receive a negative assessment notice: |
| |
7.1 |
Must not commence, or if already commenced immediately stop child
related work; |
| |
7.2 |
Be counselled on their academic options and assisted with
transferring into another course or unit that does not require a
positive assessment notice; |
| |
7.3 |
May apply to receive credit for any unit(s) successfully completed
towards a course that does not require child related work; and |
| |
7.4 |
Will have receipt of a negative assessment notice placed on their
Callista file. |
| 8. |
Students who receive a positive assessment notice must
take their Working with Children card to all placements. |
| 9. |
Staff working with children as part of their usual
duties:
Recruitment materials and job descriptions must clearly outline when
a job requires a Murdoch University employee to obtain a positive
assessment notice. |
| 10. |
As a condition of employment Murdoch University must
obtain a positive assessment notice before starting child related work. |
| 11. |
Murdoch University staff employed prior to the
introduction of Working with Children checks who receive a negative
assessment notice, interim negative assessment notice, who withdraw an
application for a Working with Children Check, or if the University
becomes aware they have a conviction pending charge for a Class 1 or
Class 2 offence (as defined in the Act) must not start or continue in
child related work. Murdoch University has the option of placing these
staff in non child related work if that is available. |
| 12. |
Murdoch University staff must immediately notify the
Office of Human Resources of any relevant changes to their criminal
record. |
| 13. |
The Office of Human resources is to annually review
assessment notice checks for all staff. |
| RESPONSIBILITIES: |
| Policy Approving Authority |
Vice Chancellor |
| Procedures, Schedule and Flowchart Approving Authority |
Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic) |
| Responsible Officer |
Secretary to Academic Council |
| Implementation Officers |
Program Chairs, Heads of School, Executive Deans, Director
Human Resources, Director Office of Central Student Administration, Manager
Equity, Health and Counselling |
| Information Contact Officer |
Secretary Academic Council |
