With the changes happening with the Child Protection Policies, Basketball Victoria has sent the following information that we all need to be aware of and ensure we are compliant to:-
From 1 August 2017, amendments to the Working with Children Act 2005 will come into force which greatly widen the range of people who will need to have Working with Children Checks.
Please read below as well as attachment – IMPORTANT INFORMATION – and pass on to relevant persons within your Association
The major changes which will touch on basketball are as follows:
- Direct contact with children which requires a check has been expanded so that it will not only cover persons with face-to-face or physical contact with children but will also require any person who has oral, written or electronic communication with children to also undergo the check. This means that people like those who distribute electronic newsletters to children or manage Association or Club web sites or social media will also need the check.
- Until these changes, people working with children who were supervised did not need the check. Now they will. So persons working in canteens etc. will need the check.
- If a person has been charged with serious sexual, violent or drug offences but not convicted or found not guilty, those charges will still be looked at as part of the assessment process in deciding whether a person will be cleared to work with children.
Further information is contained in the attached letter and on the web site: http://www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au/home/about+the+check/purpose/changes+to+legislation/index.html
As always, Associations and clubs should err on the side of caution in deciding who should be checked. If in doubt, insist that the person be checked.
This should be circulated as widely as possible within the Association, but in particular to Association officials and to Clubs within the Association.
Regards
Gerry Glennen – Governance and Operations Manager/Solicitor
Tel 03 9837 8000 • Fax 03 9837 8077
State Basketball Centre, 291 George St, Wantirna South VIC 3152
http://www.basketballvictoria.com.au
Please don’t hesitate to ask, should you have further questions.