Answers to Questions

Child Protection Screening

In reply to the Hon. J.A. DARLEY (14 October 2014). (First Session)

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Climate Change):

1. As at 2 January 2015, the number of screening and background checks since 1 January 2014 which have:

been made (processed) is 121,193

been completed in 20 business days or less is 88,779

been completed in eight weeks or less is 100,038

taken longer than eight weeks is 21,155.

2. The Department for Communities and Social Inclusion (DCSI) Screening Unit is undertaking multiple continuous improvement activities, including the initiatives outlined below.

Increasing the number of staff in the DCSI Screening Unit from 57 FTE to 126 FTE;

Investing $500,000 for service improvement in the DCSI Screening Unit, including establishing an online application form, which was launched on 27 July 2015;

Establishing a Chief Executive Screening Group to provide a forum to discuss screening unit operations and processes and organisational policy across Government, focusing on the portability and validity of clearances; and

Establishing regular meetings with key representatives from SA Health, Department for Education and Child Development (DECD), SAPOL and Department for Correctional Services as key government customers.