Working with Children

WHY IS KEEPING CHILDREN SAFE SO IMPORTANT?

Hockey Victoria (HV) has a moral obligation to protect its members under the age of 18.  State legal requirement to ensure all young members are protected from physical and sexual harm.  This legal requirement involves all members all members 18 years and older who undertake volunteer work that:

Usually involves, or is likely usually to involve, regular direct contact with a child in connection with a service, body, place, or activity specified in sub-section (3) in circumstances where that contact is not directly supervised by another person.  

Source: Working With Children Act 2005 (Vic)

WHAT DOES A WORKING WITH CHILDREN CHECK (WWCC) INCLUDE?

The Working With Children Act 2005 (Vic) included a compulsory WWCC for all employees and volunteers who work in connection with twenty (20) occupational areas and who have regular, direct and non direct (indirect) supervised contact with children.  This check has implications for key areas of Hockey Victoria’s, associations and club activities involving members under the age of 18.  

•    Competition
•    Coaching
•    Umpiring
•    Day to Day club activities

A WWCC will consider offenses of a sexual, violent and drug related nature.  The check includes:
•    national criminal record check for relevant convictions, findings of guilt and relevant pending charges
•    a review of relevant findings from prescribed professional disciplinary bodies (currently only the Victorian Institute of Teaching)

There are no difference between a volunteer and employee check except the cost. A ‘volunteer’ WWCC is FREE however an ‘employee’ WWCC requires payment.
 
PLEASE NOTE: A volunteer WWCC CANNOT be used for employment purposes

IF MY HOCKEY ACTIVITIES INVOLVE MY OWN CHILD, WHY CAN’T I BE EXEMPT?

The legislation does provide certain exemptions from obtaining the check. However given the broad nature of Hockey Victoria’s activities, it would be almost impossible to apply the exemptions.  HV’s clubs and associations provide a broad range of activities from coaching, and umpiring to development programs and social events.  Many of these activities involve the same members who may be exempt from some of the activities but not others.  For example a mother could be her child’s coach (an activity directly involving her as a parent) but also an umpire (an activity where her child is not involved).
Therefore to ensure our members are operating within the legal framework, it is strongly advised that all members 18 years and older complete a WWCC.  
PLEASE see POLICY: AD6-05 Member Protection – Working with Children Checks

HOW DO I OBTAIN A WWCC CARD?

1.    Obtain an application form from Australia Post
2.    Read and complete the required information using black pen (except the signature component – done at the POST OFFICE) (Please use code No. 72 in Section D)
3.    In the ‘Details of Organisations’ (SECTION E), please enter both your club’s details and Hockey Victoria if you are umpiring and / or volunteering for Hockey Victoria through coaching, team management administration or on a committee.
4.    Provide 100 points of identification (refer to application form for specifics and point allocations)
5.    Provide a PASSPORT size photograph (must be regulated size and taken within the last 12 months) Note: Please refrain from smiling.  
6.    Lodge at Australia Post and receive an ‘Application Receipt’ (back page of application from), as evidence of submitting your form.  The application receipt number in the top right hand corner is you WWCC number.  

The application receipt acts as a temporary WWCC until your application is processed.  Once you have lodged your application and obtained the receipt, you can partake in activities involving children.  The verified receipt can be used until the application is decided, or for a maximum of (60 working days from the date of issue, whichever occurs sooner.  

HOW CAN I CHECK THE PROGRESS OF MY APPLICATION?

You can use the Check Status Online Enquiry to check the progress of your application.  You will need your Application Receipt number to do this.  Applicants and employees are encouraged to check the progress of an application online at https://online.justice.vic.gov.au/wwc-online-check

WHAT HAPPENS IF MY APPLICATION IS DENIED?

The WWCC looks for criminal activity relevant to the physical and sexual safety of children under 18 years of age.  If a member has their application denied, they are issued with a Negative Notice by the Victorian Department of Justice.  The member (applicant) and your registered club or association will be informed.  It is important to understand that Clubs / Associations and Hockey Victoria maintain strict adherence to privacy legislation, which regulates such personal information being broadcast to a wider audience.

WHAT DO I DO ONCE I RECIEVED THE CARD?

When you receive your assessment notice and WWCC card please notify your Club so they can record the appropriate details.  HV suggests the club keep a record of this number on their database and includes a field or section on their membership form for this number.  Although each club will receive a copy of the assessment notice some may request to photocopy.  

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN Employee’ WWCC AND A ‘volunteer’ WWCC?

Employees and volunteers have the same obligations in regard to the WWCC. In recognition of the fact that volunteers do not work for profit of financial gain, there is no fee for a ‘volunteer’ WWCC application or replacement card.  If you move from a volunteer position to undertaking ‘child-related work for profit or financial gain, you will need to apply for an ‘employee’ WWCC in order to avoid penalties. 

MOVING FROM VOLUNTEER TO PAID WORK?

If you are a volunteer who holds a current assessment notice, you can only use your ‘volunteer’ WWCC card for volunteer work.  If you intend to undertake ‘child related work’ for profit or gain, you will need to re-apply for an ‘employee’ assessment notice and WWCC card.  If you do not comply with the above obligations, you may be subject to criminal penalties.  

HOW DO I ADD AN ORGANISATION TO MY EXISTING  WWCC?

Download a ‘Change of Personal Details form’ fromhttp://www.justice.vic.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/Working+With+Children/Find/Forms.

You must list ALL organisations with who you are currently undertaking child related work.  This will update your record and any previous organisations you have listed will be deleted. 

RENEWING YOU WWCC

Each check is valid for five (5) years, unless a relevant change in circumstances results in a negative notice being issued before the expiry date.  You may apply for a new assessment notice six (6) months before or up to three (3) months after the expiry date on your WWCC card.  It is an offence to continue to undertake ‘child related work’ if you do not hold a valid assessment notice. 

CLUB COACHES, UMPIRES and  ADMINISTRATORS

It is vitally important that all club coaches who are in charge of junior teams (U/17, U/15, U/13, U/11 & U/9) hold a working with children check if they are over the age of 18 years.  Senior coaches do not require a WWCC as they are coaching a senior team.  This also applies even if there are juniors playing in the senior team.  Expert coaches for example: State League Player comes to training to assist with teaching a specific skill.  There is no need for the player to complete a WWCC if the team’s training is being supervised by a coach with a WWCC. 

If a club umpire is umpiring a junior match that member must have a WWCC.  However if a club member is umpiring a senior match which involves players under the age of 18 years this umpire does not require a WWCC.  Junior committee members are also encouraged to complete a WWCC to ensure they are protecting themselves. 

Members working in a cafe or on blub BBQ’s.  For more information on the WWCC please contact Andrew Skillern – Operations Manager on 8379 4286