Working with Children Checks

In reply to Ms STINSON (Badcoe) (26 September 2018). (Estimates Committee B)

The Hon. R. SANDERSON (Adelaide—Minister for Child Protection): I have been advised of the following

1. There are two current staff employed by the department who have had their Working with Children clearance suspended by the Department for Human Services Screening Unit. Neither of those staff have worked at DCP since their clearances were revoked. Contracts with providers of agency staff require that those providers ensure that any staff assigned to undertake work in the department's facilities comply with relevant requirements, including holding a current Working with Children clearance.

2. One of the two employed staff had their Working with Children clearance revoked in the last financial year, on 23 October 2017.

3. One of those two employed staff had their Working with Children clearance revoked in the current financial year, on 4 September 2018.

4. During the financial year 2017/18 the Department of Human Services Screening Unit advised DCP of seven revoked Working with Children clearances that related to carers. The Screening Unit has advised DCP of one for the financial year 2018-19 to date.

5. One of the 33 employees previously reported as not holding a current clearance was at the workplace for a short period. During the period from when that employee's clearance had lapsed on 28 July 2018 until it was renewed by the Screening Unit on 27 August 2018, the employee continued to work with approval of the chief executive noting that a renewal application had been submitted to the DHS Screening Unit and that the employee's duties did not constitute prescribed duties or functions under the applicable Act. The employee was not working directly with children and young people and did not have access to children and young people's records during this time.