Media Release

Thursday, 4 March 2010

People who work closely with children, including sporting and community groups, are invited to attend an information session being run by the Department of Justice regarding the Working With Children (WWC) Check.

The sessions, to be held on Tuesday, 23 March in the Swan Hill Town Hall Performing Arts and Conference Centre (PACC), will discuss a number of aspects of the WWC Check including general information about the check, the application process and who needs to apply for it.

Swan Hill Rural City Council's Community, Recreation and Grants Officer Casey Hovenden said the sessions would provide valuable information for those involved in community and recreation groups.

“The information sessions will provide the attendees with a range of information regarding the WWC Check, including standard regulation surrounding the WWC Check and a whole range of issues including who can work with children, what happens when you apply for the Check and who it is that needs to apply for it,” Miss Hovenden said.

“The sessions will also cover things such as privacy and the ongoing checking process; it is highly recommended that those who do work with children ensure they attend these information sessions.”

The WWC Check provides a mandatory minimum checking standard across Victoria and helps keep children safe by preventing those who pose a risk to the safety of children from working with them, in either a paid or voluntary capacity.

2010 is ‘Year Four' of the five-year phasing in of the WWC Check. This year the WWC Check will be for those working with children in all community, recreation and sporting clubs

Employers, volunteer organisations and agencies are also encouraged to come along to a session to learn more about the WWC Check.

Both information sessions regarding the WWC Check will be held at the Swan Hill Town Hall PACC at 2pm and 7pm, with sessions to run for approximately one hour.

For more information regarding the Working With Children Check, please contact the Working with Children Check Unit at the Department of Justice on 1300 652 879, 8.30am to 5pm weekdays or email workingwithchildren@justice.vic.gov.au.