Foster and Kinship Carer Assessments

888 Ms STINSON (Badcoe) (2 July 2019). What actions to date have been taken by the Department for Child Protection, to ensure Department employees comply with the new working with children checks that are due to come into force on 1 July 2019?

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

In the 2018-19 budget, $250,000 was allocated by the Department of Human Services towards an advertising campaign comprising print, radio, digital and social media.

As part of that DHS campaign, a wideranging communication strategy is underway to ensure the community is aware of the changes that have occurred and transitional arrangements.

Valid child-related screening checks issued prior to 1 July 2019 remain valid until they expire, even if this expiry date is after 1 July 2019.

An all-staff communique was sent via email across DCP on 3 June 2019. This communique advised staff of the upcoming changes to the screening process and how these affect employees, carer agencies and carers.

Additionally, information on the changes is on the DCP website. This information includes targeted material for various stakeholders, as well as a fact sheet. Similar information is available to DCP employees through the department's intranet, although the intranet also contains practice guidance for practitioners.