❓ A parliamentary question regarding the process for notifying the Department for Child Protection and Family Support when individuals with Working with Children Checks are charged with criminal offences, and the implementation status of recommendations from a 2014 Auditor General's report. The Minister provides a detailed response outlining the notification process, timeframes, and progress on implementing the recommendations.
AnsweredQoN 640Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
WORKING WITH CHILDREN CHECKS 640. Hon ALANNA CLOHESY to the minister representing the Minister for Child Protection: (1) Can the minister outline the process by which the Department for Child Protection and Family Support is notified when a person with working with children accreditation is charged by police with a criminal offence? (2) How long does it take for the department to be notified and what action is then taken? (3) How many recommendations of the 2014 Auditor General investigation into working with children checks are yet to be implemented? Hon DONNA FARAGHER
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of the question, and I apologise; this is quite a long answer, but it is an important one. (1) Section 17 of the Working with Children (Criminal Record Checking) Act 2004 provides for the Commissioner of Police or delegate to notify the working with children screening unit if a person has been charged with or convicted of an offence when the police reasonably believe this makes the person unsuitable to continue or carry out child-related work. Notifications are received from police if the person is believed to be in child-related work or holding a working with children card. This notification may be made directly by police to staff within the working with children screening unit when a person is charged. In addition, there is a link between information systems so that when a person has a current working with children card or a pending application for one, those cases are regularly checked to identify whether there is a match for a new charge of concern. (2) When a person with a working with children card is charged with a criminal offence and those offences relate to their ability to work with children, there are robust legislative mechanisms, electronic information systems and mature processes in place between the police and the department to prioritise these situations. Notification under section 17 depends on when police determine the person charged with an offence of concern may be in child-related work or hold a card; also, when police have the details they require to input the charge into their information system. When there is a very serious charge, such as a person being charged with a sexual offence and that person is clearly in child-related work, police notify the unit directly and promptly. Police also often take other action such as making sure that if the person is not in custody, bail conditions include not working with children. When these notifications are received, the working with children screening unit assesses them as they must under section 12 of the working with children act. Those cases in which a child has been offended against are actioned as an urgent immediate priority. The average time frame for issuing of interim negative notices is within four calendar days. Cases such as pending charges for sexual offences involving a child are issued with an interim negative notice so that child-related work is prohibited while the reassessment is underway. (3) All the recommendations have been progressed and I provide the following as an update in relation to the 2014 Auditor General’s report, “Working with Children Checks”. There was a recommendation to — · ensure the new application management system provides accurate information to support the allocating and prioritising of applications. This information should include how many and how long applications are waiting to be screened and assessed That is in place. There was a recommendation to — · prioritise applications for assessment based on risk and how long they have been waiting to be screened and assessed That continues to be in place. There was a recommendation to — · review staffing levels and capacity to more efficiently manage application processing and compliance monitoring An additional senior compliance officer is temporarily in place bringing the number of compliance staff to six, including management and support. Further resourcing is to be requested in line with amendments to the working with children act that have been approved for drafting. There was a recommendation to — · finalise assessment and decision-making guidelines, including setting timeframes for screening and assessing applications and issuing interim negative notices The guidelines are in place. The department, however, cannot set artificial time frames for decisions. The robust working with children check requires consideration of all information relevant to risk and sourcing of this nationally is not in the control of the working with children screening unit. The focus is on the best and not the quickest decision. Cases are regularly triaged so that applications are processed as expediently as possible. Where an immediate risk is identified, either when the initial criminal record is received or when other information such as disciplinary information is sourced during assessment, an interim negative notice is issued. For example, when police notify of a new offence of concern about a current working with children cardholder, the average time to assess the case and issue an interim negative notice is four calendar days—inclusive of weekends and public holidays. There was a recommendation to — · take a risk-based approach to reviewing criminal record notifications received about working with children check card holders from July 2011 to mid-November 2013 to ensure they were appropriately actioned That has been achieved. The working with children screening unit confirmed with WA Police that they had no record of informal advice to the unit about a person with a possible new charge of concern that had not been followed up with a formal notification under section 17 of the Working with Children (Criminal Record Checking) Act 2004. There was a recommendation to — · work with WA Police to improve the matching of applicants between the two information systems A WA Police algorithm matches data as far as is feasible. Police advised that changing this algorithm is likely to result in false matches. There was a recommendation to — · prioritise and target audits of employers based on risk This continues to be in place. There was a recommendation to — · ensure all foster carers have a valid working with children check card or application in process. The department is continuing to tighten its guidelines and compliance actions in relation to foster and relative care.
640. Hon ALANNA CLOHESY to the minister representing the Minister for Child Protection: (1) Can the minister outline the process by which the Department for Child Protection and Family Support is notified when a person with working with children accreditation is charged by police with a criminal offence? (2) How long does it take for the department to be notified and what action is then taken? (3) How many recommendations of the 2014 Auditor General investigation into working with children checks are yet to be implemented? Hon DONNA FARAGHER replied: I thank the member for some notice of the question, and I apologise; this is quite a long answer, but it is an important one. (1) Section 17 of the Working with Children (Criminal Record Checking) Act 2004 provides for the Commissioner of Police or delegate to notify the working with children screening unit if a person has been charged with or convicted of an offence when the police reasonably believe this makes the person unsuitable to continue or carry out child-related work. Notifications are received from police if the person is believed to be in child-related work or holding a working with children card. This notification may be made directly by police to staff within the working with children screening unit when a person is charged. In addition, there is a link between information systems so that when a person has a current working with children card or a pending application for one, those cases are regularly checked to identify whether there is a match for a new charge of concern. (2) When a person with a working with children card is charged with a criminal offence and those offences relate to their ability to work with children, there are robust legislative mechanisms, electronic information systems and mature processes in place between the police and the department to prioritise these situations. Notification under section 17 depends on when police determine the person charged with an offence of concern may be in child-related work or hold a card; also, when police have the details they require to input the charge into their information system. When there is a very serious charge, such as a person being charged with a sexual offence and that person is clearly in child-related work, police notify the unit directly and promptly. Police also often take other action such as making sure that if the person is not in custody, bail conditions include not working with children. When these notifications are received, the working with children screening unit assesses them as they must under section 12 of the working with children act. Those cases in which a child has been offended against are actioned as an urgent immediate priority. The average time frame for issuing of interim negative notices is within four calendar days. Cases such as pending charges for sexual offences involving a child are issued with an interim negative notice so that child-related work is prohibited while the reassessment is underway. (3) All the recommendations have been progressed and I provide the following as an update in relation to the 2014 Auditor General’s report, “Working with Children Checks”. There was a recommendation to — · ensure the new application management system provides accurate information to support the allocating and prioritising of applications. This information should include how many and how long applications are waiting to be screened and assessed That is in place. There was a recommendation to — · prioritise applications for assessment based on risk and how long they have been waiting to be screened and assessed That continues to be in place. There was a recommendation to — · review staffing levels and capacity to more efficiently manage application processing and compliance monitoring An additional senior compliance officer is temporarily in place bringing the number of compliance staff to six, including management and support. Further resourcing is to be requested in line with amendments to the working with children act that have been approved for drafting. There was a recommendation to — · finalise assessment and decision-making guidelines, including setting timeframes for screening and assessing applications and issuing interim negative notices The guidelines are in place. The department, however, cannot set artificial time frames for decisions. The robust working with children check requires consideration of all information relevant to risk and sourcing of this nationally is not in the control of the working with children screening unit. The focus is on the best and not the quickest decision. Cases are regularly triaged so that applications are processed as expediently as possible. Where an immediate risk is identified, either when the initial criminal record is received or when other information such as disciplinary information is sourced during assessment, an interim negative notice is issued. For example, when police notify of a new offence of concern about a current working with children cardholder, the average time to assess the case and issue an interim negative notice is four calendar days—inclusive of weekends and public holidays. There was a recommendation to — · take a risk-based approach to reviewing criminal record notifications received about working with children check card holders from July 2011 to mid-November 2013 to ensure they were appropriately actioned That has been achieved. The working with children screening unit confirmed with WA Police that they had no record of informal advice to the unit about a person with a possible new charge of concern that had not been followed up with a formal notification under section 17 of the Working with Children (Criminal Record Checking) Act 2004. There was a recommendation to — · work with WA Police to improve the matching of applicants between the two information systems A WA Police algorithm matches data as far as is feasible. Police advised that changing this algorithm is likely to result in false matches. There was a recommendation to — · prioritise and target audits of employers based on risk This continues to be in place. There was a recommendation to — · ensure all foster carers have a valid working with children check card or application in process. The department is continuing to tighten its guidelines and compliance actions in relation to foster and relative care.
(1) Can the minister outline the process by which the Department for Child Protection and Family Support is notified when a person with working with children accreditation is charged by police with a criminal offence? (2) How long does it take for the department to be notified and what action is then taken? (3) How many recommendations of the 2014 Auditor General investigation into working with children checks are yet to be implemented? Hon DONNA FARAGHER replied: I thank the member for some notice of the question, and I apologise; this is quite a long answer, but it is an important one. (1) Section 17 of the Working with Children (Criminal Record Checking) Act 2004 provides for the Commissioner of Police or delegate to notify the working with children screening unit if a person has been charged with or convicted of an offence when the police reasonably believe this makes the person unsuitable to continue or carry out child-related work. Notifications are received from police if the person is believed to be in child-related work or holding a working with children card. This notification may be made directly by police to staff within the working with children screening unit when a person is charged. In addition, there is a link between information systems so that when a person has a current working with children card or a pending application for one, those cases are regularly checked to identify whether there is a match for a new charge of concern. (2) When a person with a working with children card is charged with a criminal offence and those offences relate to their ability to work with children, there are robust legislative mechanisms, electronic information systems and mature processes in place between the police and the department to prioritise these situations. Notification under section 17 depends on when police determine the person charged with an offence of concern may be in child-related work or hold a card; also, when police have the details they require to input the charge into their information system. When there is a very serious charge, such as a person being charged with a sexual offence and that person is clearly in child-related work, police notify the unit directly and promptly. Police also often take other action such as making sure that if the person is not in custody, bail conditions include not working with children. When these notifications are received, the working with children screening unit assesses them as they must under section 12 of the working with children act. Those cases in which a child has been offended against are actioned as an urgent immediate priority. The average time frame for issuing of interim negative notices is within four calendar days. Cases such as pending charges for sexual offences involving a child are issued with an interim negative notice so that child-related work is prohibited while the reassessment is underway. (3) All the recommendations have been progressed and I provide the following as an update in relation to the 2014 Auditor General’s report, “Working with Children Checks”. There was a recommendation to — · ensure the new application management system provides accurate information to support the allocating and prioritising of applications. This information should include how many and how long applications are waiting to be screened and assessed That is in place. There was a recommendation to — · prioritise applications for assessment based on risk and how long they have been waiting to be screened and assessed That continues to be in place. There was a recommendation to — · review staffing levels and capacity to more efficiently manage application processing and compliance monitoring An additional senior compliance officer is temporarily in place bringing the number of compliance staff to six, including management and support. Further resourcing is to be requested in line with amendments to the working with children act that have been approved for drafting. There was a recommendation to — · finalise assessment and decision-making guidelines, including setting timeframes for screening and assessing applications and issuing interim negative notices The guidelines are in place. The department, however, cannot set artificial time frames for decisions. The robust working with children check requires consideration of all information relevant to risk and sourcing of this nationally is not in the control of the working with children screening unit. The focus is on the best and not the quickest decision. Cases are regularly triaged so that applications are processed as expediently as possible. Where an immediate risk is identified, either when the initial criminal record is received or when other information such as disciplinary information is sourced during assessment, an interim negative notice is issued. For example, when police notify of a new offence of concern about a current working with children cardholder, the average time to assess the case and issue an interim negative notice is four calendar days—inclusive of weekends and public holidays. There was a recommendation to — · take a risk-based approach to reviewing criminal record notifications received about working with children check card holders from July 2011 to mid-November 2013 to ensure they were appropriately actioned That has been achieved. The working with children screening unit confirmed with WA Police that they had no record of informal advice to the unit about a person with a possible new charge of concern that had not been followed up with a formal notification under section 17 of the Working with Children (Criminal Record Checking) Act 2004. There was a recommendation to — · work with WA Police to improve the matching of applicants between the two information systems A WA Police algorithm matches data as far as is feasible. Police advised that changing this algorithm is likely to result in false matches. There was a recommendation to — · prioritise and target audits of employers based on risk This continues to be in place. There was a recommendation to — · ensure all foster carers have a valid working with children check card or application in process. The department is continuing to tighten its guidelines and compliance actions in relation to foster and relative care.
(2) How long does it take for the department to be notified and what action is then taken? (3) How many recommendations of the 2014 Auditor General investigation into working with children checks are yet to be implemented? Hon DONNA FARAGHER replied: I thank the member for some notice of the question, and I apologise; this is quite a long answer, but it is an important one. (1) Section 17 of the Working with Children (Criminal Record Checking) Act 2004 provides for the Commissioner of Police or delegate to notify the working with children screening unit if a person has been charged with or convicted of an offence when the police reasonably believe this makes the person unsuitable to continue or carry out child-related work. Notifications are received from police if the person is believed to be in child-related work or holding a working with children card. This notification may be made directly by police to staff within the working with children screening unit when a person is charged. In addition, there is a link between information systems so that when a person has a current working with children card or a pending application for one, those cases are regularly checked to identify whether there is a match for a new charge of concern. (2) When a person with a working with children card is charged with a criminal offence and those offences relate to their ability to work with children, there are robust legislative mechanisms, electronic information systems and mature processes in place between the police and the department to prioritise these situations. Notification under section 17 depends on when police determine the person charged with an offence of concern may be in child-related work or hold a card; also, when police have the details they require to input the charge into their information system. When there is a very serious charge, such as a person being charged with a sexual offence and that person is clearly in child-related work, police notify the unit directly and promptly. Police also often take other action such as making sure that if the person is not in custody, bail conditions include not working with children. When these notifications are received, the working with children screening unit assesses them as they must under section 12 of the working with children act. Those cases in which a child has been offended against are actioned as an urgent immediate priority. The average time frame for issuing of interim negative notices is within four calendar days. Cases such as pending charges for sexual offences involving a child are issued with an interim negative notice so that child-related work is prohibited while the reassessment is underway. (3) All the recommendations have been progressed and I provide the following as an update in relation to the 2014 Auditor General’s report, “Working with Children Checks”. There was a recommendation to — · ensure the new application management system provides accurate information to support the allocating and prioritising of applications. This information should include how many and how long applications are waiting to be screened and assessed That is in place. There was a recommendation to — · prioritise applications for assessment based on risk and how long they have been waiting to be screened and assessed That continues to be in place. There was a recommendation to — · review staffing levels and capacity to more efficiently manage application processing and compliance monitoring An additional senior compliance officer is temporarily in place bringing the number of compliance staff to six, including management and support. Further resourcing is to be requested in line with amendments to the working with children act that have been approved for drafting. There was a recommendation to — · finalise assessment and decision-making guidelines, including setting timeframes for screening and assessing applications and issuing interim negative notices The guidelines are in place. The department, however, cannot set artificial time frames for decisions. The robust working with children check requires consideration of all information relevant to risk and sourcing of this nationally is not in the control of the working with children screening unit. The focus is on the best and not the quickest decision. Cases are regularly triaged so that applications are processed as expediently as possible. Where an immediate risk is identified, either when the initial criminal record is received or when other information such as disciplinary information is sourced during assessment, an interim negative notice is issued. For example, when police notify of a new offence of concern about a current working with children cardholder, the average time to assess the case and issue an interim negative notice is four calendar days—inclusive of weekends and public holidays. There was a recommendation to — · take a risk-based approach to reviewing criminal record notifications received about working with children check card holders from July 2011 to mid-November 2013 to ensure they were appropriately actioned That has been achieved. The working with children screening unit confirmed with WA Police that they had no record of informal advice to the unit about a person with a possible new charge of concern that had not been followed up with a formal notification under section 17 of the Working with Children (Criminal Record Checking) Act 2004. There was a recommendation to — · work with WA Police to improve the matching of applicants between the two information systems A WA Police algorithm matches data as far as is feasible. Police advised that changing this algorithm is likely to result in false matches. There was a recommendation to — · prioritise and target audits of employers based on risk This continues to be in place. There was a recommendation to — · ensure all foster carers have a valid working with children check card or application in process. The department is continuing to tighten its guidelines and compliance actions in relation to foster and relative care.
(3) How many recommendations of the 2014 Auditor General investigation into working with children checks are yet to be implemented? Hon DONNA FARAGHER replied: I thank the member for some notice of the question, and I apologise; this is quite a long answer, but it is an important one. (1) Section 17 of the Working with Children (Criminal Record Checking) Act 2004 provides for the Commissioner of Police or delegate to notify the working with children screening unit if a person has been charged with or convicted of an offence when the police reasonably believe this makes the person unsuitable to continue or carry out child-related work. Notifications are received from police if the person is believed to be in child-related work or holding a working with children card. This notification may be made directly by police to staff within the working with children screening unit when a person is charged. In addition, there is a link between information systems so that when a person has a current working with children card or a pending application for one, those cases are regularly checked to identify whether there is a match for a new charge of concern. (2) When a person with a working with children card is charged with a criminal offence and those offences relate to their ability to work with children, there are robust legislative mechanisms, electronic information systems and mature processes in place between the police and the department to prioritise these situations. Notification under section 17 depends on when police determine the person charged with an offence of concern may be in child-related work or hold a card; also, when police have the details they require to input the charge into their information system. When there is a very serious charge, such as a person being charged with a sexual offence and that person is clearly in child-related work, police notify the unit directly and promptly. Police also often take other action such as making sure that if the person is not in custody, bail conditions include not working with children. When these notifications are received, the working with children screening unit assesses them as they must under section 12 of the working with children act. Those cases in which a child has been offended against are actioned as an urgent immediate priority. The average time frame for issuing of interim negative notices is within four calendar days. Cases such as pending charges for sexual offences involving a child are issued with an interim negative notice so that child-related work is prohibited while the reassessment is underway. (3) All the recommendations have been progressed and I provide the following as an update in relation to the 2014 Auditor General’s report, “Working with Children Checks”. There was a recommendation to — · ensure the new application management system provides accurate information to support the allocating and prioritising of applications. This information should include how many and how long applications are waiting to be screened and assessed That is in place. There was a recommendation to — · prioritise applications for assessment based on risk and how long they have been waiting to be screened and assessed That continues to be in place. There was a recommendation to — · review staffing levels and capacity to more efficiently manage application processing and compliance monitoring An additional senior compliance officer is temporarily in place bringing the number of compliance staff to six, including management and support. Further resourcing is to be requested in line with amendments to the working with children act that have been approved for drafting. There was a recommendation to — · finalise assessment and decision-making guidelines, including setting timeframes for screening and assessing applications and issuing interim negative notices The guidelines are in place. The department, however, cannot set artificial time frames for decisions. The robust working with children check requires consideration of all information relevant to risk and sourcing of this nationally is not in the control of the working with children screening unit. The focus is on the best and not the quickest decision. Cases are regularly triaged so that applications are processed as expediently as possible. Where an immediate risk is identified, either when the initial criminal record is received or when other information such as disciplinary information is sourced during assessment, an interim negative notice is issued. For example, when police notify of a new offence of concern about a current working with children cardholder, the average time to assess the case and issue an interim negative notice is four calendar days—inclusive of weekends and public holidays. There was a recommendation to — · take a risk-based approach to reviewing criminal record notifications received about working with children check card holders from July 2011 to mid-November 2013 to ensure they were appropriately actioned That has been achieved. The working with children screening unit confirmed with WA Police that they had no record of informal advice to the unit about a person with a possible new charge of concern that had not been followed up with a formal notification under section 17 of the Working with Children (Criminal Record Checking) Act 2004. There was a recommendation to — · work with WA Police to improve the matching of applicants between the two information systems A WA Police algorithm matches data as far as is feasible. Police advised that changing this algorithm is likely to result in false matches. There was a recommendation to — · prioritise and target audits of employers based on risk This continues to be in place. There was a recommendation to — · ensure all foster carers have a valid working with children check card or application in process. The department is continuing to tighten its guidelines and compliance actions in relation to foster and relative care.
Hon DONNA FARAGHER replied: I thank the member for some notice of the question, and I apologise; this is quite a long answer, but it is an important one. (1) Section 17 of the Working with Children (Criminal Record Checking) Act 2004 provides for the Commissioner of Police or delegate to notify the working with children screening unit if a person has been charged with or convicted of an offence when the police reasonably believe this makes the person unsuitable to continue or carry out child-related work. Notifications are received from police if the person is believed to be in child-related work or holding a working with children card. This notification may be made directly by police to staff within the working with children screening unit when a person is charged. In addition, there is a link between information systems so that when a person has a current working with children card or a pending application for one, those cases are regularly checked to identify whether there is a match for a new charge of concern. (2) When a person with a working with children card is charged with a criminal offence and those offences relate to their ability to work with children, there are robust legislative mechanisms, electronic information systems and mature processes in place between the police and the department to prioritise these situations. Notification under section 17 depends on when police determine the person charged with an offence of concern may be in child-related work or hold a card; also, when police have the details they require to input the charge into their information system. When there is a very serious charge, such as a person being charged with a sexual offence and that person is clearly in child-related work, police notify the unit directly and promptly. Police also often take other action such as making sure that if the person is not in custody, bail conditions include not working with children. When these notifications are received, the working with children screening unit assesses them as they must under section 12 of the working with children act. Those cases in which a child has been offended against are actioned as an urgent immediate priority. The average time frame for issuing of interim negative notices is within four calendar days. Cases such as pending charges for sexual offences involving a child are issued with an interim negative notice so that child-related work is prohibited while the reassessment is underway. (3) All the recommendations have been progressed and I provide the following as an update in relation to the 2014 Auditor General’s report, “Working with Children Checks”. There was a recommendation to — · ensure the new application management system provides accurate information to support the allocating and prioritising of applications. This information should include how many and how long applications are waiting to be screened and assessed That is in place. There was a recommendation to — · prioritise applications for assessment based on risk and how long they have been waiting to be screened and assessed That continues to be in place. There was a recommendation to — · review staffing levels and capacity to more efficiently manage application processing and compliance monitoring An additional senior compliance officer is temporarily in place bringing the number of compliance staff to six, including management and support. Further resourcing is to be requested in line with amendments to the working with children act that have been approved for drafting. There was a recommendation to — · finalise assessment and decision-making guidelines, including setting timeframes for screening and assessing applications and issuing interim negative notices The guidelines are in place. The department, however, cannot set artificial time frames for decisions. The robust working with children check requires consideration of all information relevant to risk and sourcing of this nationally is not in the control of the working with children screening unit. The focus is on the best and not the quickest decision. Cases are regularly triaged so that applications are processed as expediently as possible. Where an immediate risk is identified, either when the initial criminal record is received or when other information such as disciplinary information is sourced during assessment, an interim negative notice is issued. For example, when police notify of a new offence of concern about a current working with children cardholder, the average time to assess the case and issue an interim negative notice is four calendar days—inclusive of weekends and public holidays. There was a recommendation to — · take a risk-based approach to reviewing criminal record notifications received about working with children check card holders from July 2011 to mid-November 2013 to ensure they were appropriately actioned That has been achieved. The working with children screening unit confirmed with WA Police that they had no record of informal advice to the unit about a person with a possible new charge of concern that had not been followed up with a formal notification under section 17 of the Working with Children (Criminal Record Checking) Act 2004. There was a recommendation to — · work with WA Police to improve the matching of applicants between the two information systems A WA Police algorithm matches data as far as is feasible. Police advised that changing this algorithm is likely to result in false matches. There was a recommendation to — · prioritise and target audits of employers based on risk This continues to be in place. There was a recommendation to — · ensure all foster carers have a valid working with children check card or application in process. The department is continuing to tighten its guidelines and compliance actions in relation to foster and relative care.
I thank the member for some notice of the question, and I apologise; this is quite a long answer, but it is an important one. (1) Section 17 of the Working with Children (Criminal Record Checking) Act 2004 provides for the Commissioner of Police or delegate to notify the working with children screening unit if a person has been charged with or convicted of an offence when the police reasonably believe this makes the person unsuitable to continue or carry out child-related work. Notifications are received from police if the person is believed to be in child-related work or holding a working with children card. This notification may be made directly by police to staff within the working with children screening unit when a person is charged. In addition, there is a link between information systems so that when a person has a current working with children card or a pending application for one, those cases are regularly checked to identify whether there is a match for a new charge of concern. (2) When a person with a working with children card is charged with a criminal offence and those offences relate to their ability to work with children, there are robust legislative mechanisms, electronic information systems and mature processes in place between the police and the department to prioritise these situations. Notification under section 17 depends on when police determine the person charged with an offence of concern may be in child-related work or hold a card; also, when police have the details they require to input the charge into their information system. When there is a very serious charge, such as a person being charged with a sexual offence and that person is clearly in child-related work, police notify the unit directly and promptly. Police also often take other action such as making sure that if the person is not in custody, bail conditions include not working with children. When these notifications are received, the working with children screening unit assesses them as they must under section 12 of the working with children act. Those cases in which a child has been offended against are actioned as an urgent immediate priority. The average time frame for issuing of interim negative notices is within four calendar days. Cases such as pending charges for sexual offences involving a child are issued with an interim negative notice so that child-related work is prohibited while the reassessment is underway. (3) All the recommendations have been progressed and I provide the following as an update in relation to the 2014 Auditor General’s report, “Working with Children Checks”. There was a recommendation to — · ensure the new application management system provides accurate information to support the allocating and prioritising of applications. This information should include how many and how long applications are waiting to be screened and assessed That is in place. There was a recommendation to — · prioritise applications for assessment based on risk and how long they have been waiting to be screened and assessed That continues to be in place. There was a recommendation to — · review staffing levels and capacity to more efficiently manage application processing and compliance monitoring An additional senior compliance officer is temporarily in place bringing the number of compliance staff to six, including management and support. Further resourcing is to be requested in line with amendments to the working with children act that have been approved for drafting. There was a recommendation to — · finalise assessment and decision-making guidelines, including setting timeframes for screening and assessing applications and issuing interim negative notices The guidelines are in place. The department, however, cannot set artificial time frames for decisions. The robust working with children check requires consideration of all information relevant to risk and sourcing of this nationally is not in the control of the working with children screening unit. The focus is on the best and not the quickest decision. Cases are regularly triaged so that applications are processed as expediently as possible. Where an immediate risk is identified, either when the initial criminal record is received or when other information such as disciplinary information is sourced during assessment, an interim negative notice is issued. For example, when police notify of a new offence of concern about a current working with children cardholder, the average time to assess the case and issue an interim negative notice is four calendar days—inclusive of weekends and public holidays. There was a recommendation to — · take a risk-based approach to reviewing criminal record notifications received about working with children check card holders from July 2011 to mid-November 2013 to ensure they were appropriately actioned That has been achieved. The working with children screening unit confirmed with WA Police that they had no record of informal advice to the unit about a person with a possible new charge of concern that had not been followed up with a formal notification under section 17 of the Working with Children (Criminal Record Checking) Act 2004. There was a recommendation to — · work with WA Police to improve the matching of applicants between the two information systems A WA Police algorithm matches data as far as is feasible. Police advised that changing this algorithm is likely to result in false matches. There was a recommendation to — · prioritise and target audits of employers based on risk This continues to be in place. There was a recommendation to — · ensure all foster carers have a valid working with children check card or application in process. The department is continuing to tighten its guidelines and compliance actions in relation to foster and relative care.
(1) Section 17 of the Working with Children (Criminal Record Checking) Act 2004 provides for the Commissioner of Police or delegate to notify the working with children screening unit if a person has been charged with or convicted of an offence when the police reasonably believe this makes the person unsuitable to continue or carry out child-related work. Notifications are received from police if the person is believed to be in child-related work or holding a working with children card. This notification may be made directly by police to staff within the working with children screening unit when a person is charged. In addition, there is a link between information systems so that when a person has a current working with children card or a pending application for one, those cases are regularly checked to identify whether there is a match for a new charge of concern. (2) When a person with a working with children card is charged with a criminal offence and those offences relate to their ability to work with children, there are robust legislative mechanisms, electronic information systems and mature processes in place between the police and the department to prioritise these situations. Notification under section 17 depends on when police determine the person charged with an offence of concern may be in child-related work or hold a card; also, when police have the details they require to input the charge into their information system. When there is a very serious charge, such as a person being charged with a sexual offence and that person is clearly in child-related work, police notify the unit directly and promptly. Police also often take other action such as making sure that if the person is not in custody, bail conditions include not working with children. When these notifications are received, the working with children screening unit assesses them as they must under section 12 of the working with children act. Those cases in which a child has been offended against are actioned as an urgent immediate priority. The average time frame for issuing of interim negative notices is within four calendar days. Cases such as pending charges for sexual offences involving a child are issued with an interim negative notice so that child-related work is prohibited while the reassessment is underway. (3) All the recommendations have been progressed and I provide the following as an update in relation to the 2014 Auditor General’s report, “Working with Children Checks”. There was a recommendation to — · ensure the new application management system provides accurate information to support the allocating and prioritising of applications. This information should include how many and how long applications are waiting to be screened and assessed That is in place. There was a recommendation to — · prioritise applications for assessment based on risk and how long they have been waiting to be screened and assessed That continues to be in place. There was a recommendation to — · review staffing levels and capacity to more efficiently manage application processing and compliance monitoring An additional senior compliance officer is temporarily in place bringing the number of compliance staff to six, including management and support. Further resourcing is to be requested in line with amendments to the working with children act that have been approved for drafting. There was a recommendation to — · finalise assessment and decision-making guidelines, including setting timeframes for screening and assessing applications and issuing interim negative notices The guidelines are in place. The department, however, cannot set artificial time frames for decisions. The robust working with children check requires consideration of all information relevant to risk and sourcing of this nationally is not in the control of the working with children screening unit. The focus is on the best and not the quickest decision. Cases are regularly triaged so that applications are processed as expediently as possible. Where an immediate risk is identified, either when the initial criminal record is received or when other information such as disciplinary information is sourced during assessment, an interim negative notice is issued. For example, when police notify of a new offence of concern about a current working with children cardholder, the average time to assess the case and issue an interim negative notice is four calendar days—inclusive of weekends and public holidays. There was a recommendation to — · take a risk-based approach to reviewing criminal record notifications received about working with children check card holders from July 2011 to mid-November 2013 to ensure they were appropriately actioned That has been achieved. The working with children screening unit confirmed with WA Police that they had no record of informal advice to the unit about a person with a possible new charge of concern that had not been followed up with a formal notification under section 17 of the Working with Children (Criminal Record Checking) Act 2004. There was a recommendation to — · work with WA Police to improve the matching of applicants between the two information systems A WA Police algorithm matches data as far as is feasible. Police advised that changing this algorithm is likely to result in false matches. There was a recommendation to — · prioritise and target audits of employers based on risk This continues to be in place. There was a recommendation to — · ensure all foster carers have a valid working with children check card or application in process. The department is continuing to tighten its guidelines and compliance actions in relation to foster and relative care.
(2) When a person with a working with children card is charged with a criminal offence and those offences relate to their ability to work with children, there are robust legislative mechanisms, electronic information systems and mature processes in place between the police and the department to prioritise these situations. Notification under section 17 depends on when police determine the person charged with an offence of concern may be in child-related work or hold a card; also, when police have the details they require to input the charge into their information system. When there is a very serious charge, such as a person being charged with a sexual offence and that person is clearly in child-related work, police notify the unit directly and promptly. Police also often take other action such as making sure that if the person is not in custody, bail conditions include not working with children. When these notifications are received, the working with children screening unit assesses them as they must under section 12 of the working with children act. Those cases in which a child has been offended against are actioned as an urgent immediate priority. The average time frame for issuing of interim negative notices is within four calendar days. Cases such as pending charges for sexual offences involving a child are issued with an interim negative notice so that child-related work is prohibited while the reassessment is underway. (3) All the recommendations have been progressed and I provide the following as an update in relation to the 2014 Auditor General’s report, “Working with Children Checks”. There was a recommendation to — · ensure the new application management system provides accurate information to support the allocating and prioritising of applications. This information should include how many and how long applications are waiting to be screened and assessed That is in place. There was a recommendation to — · prioritise applications for assessment based on risk and how long they have been waiting to be screened and assessed That continues to be in place. There was a recommendation to — · review staffing levels and capacity to more efficiently manage application processing and compliance monitoring An additional senior compliance officer is temporarily in place bringing the number of compliance staff to six, including management and support. Further resourcing is to be requested in line with amendments to the working with children act that have been approved for drafting. There was a recommendation to — · finalise assessment and decision-making guidelines, including setting timeframes for screening and assessing applications and issuing interim negative notices The guidelines are in place. The department, however, cannot set artificial time frames for decisions. The robust working with children check requires consideration of all information relevant to risk and sourcing of this nationally is not in the control of the working with children screening unit. The focus is on the best and not the quickest decision. Cases are regularly triaged so that applications are processed as expediently as possible. Where an immediate risk is identified, either when the initial criminal record is received or when other information such as disciplinary information is sourced during assessment, an interim negative notice is issued. For example, when police notify of a new offence of concern about a current working with children cardholder, the average time to assess the case and issue an interim negative notice is four calendar days—inclusive of weekends and public holidays. There was a recommendation to — · take a risk-based approach to reviewing criminal record notifications received about working with children check card holders from July 2011 to mid-November 2013 to ensure they were appropriately actioned That has been achieved. The working with children screening unit confirmed with WA Police that they had no record of informal advice to the unit about a person with a possible new charge of concern that had not been followed up with a formal notification under section 17 of the Working with Children (Criminal Record Checking) Act 2004. There was a recommendation to — · work with WA Police to improve the matching of applicants between the two information systems A WA Police algorithm matches data as far as is feasible. Police advised that changing this algorithm is likely to result in false matches. There was a recommendation to — · prioritise and target audits of employers based on risk This continues to be in place. There was a recommendation to — · ensure all foster carers have a valid working with children check card or application in process. The department is continuing to tighten its guidelines and compliance actions in relation to foster and relative care.
(3) All the recommendations have been progressed and I provide the following as an update in relation to the 2014 Auditor General’s report, “Working with Children Checks”. There was a recommendation to — · ensure the new application management system provides accurate information to support the allocating and prioritising of applications. This information should include how many and how long applications are waiting to be screened and assessed That is in place. There was a recommendation to — · prioritise applications for assessment based on risk and how long they have been waiting to be screened and assessed That continues to be in place. There was a recommendation to — · review staffing levels and capacity to more efficiently manage application processing and compliance monitoring An additional senior compliance officer is temporarily in place bringing the number of compliance staff to six, including management and support. Further resourcing is to be requested in line with amendments to the working with children act that have been approved for drafting. There was a recommendation to — · finalise assessment and decision-making guidelines, including setting timeframes for screening and assessing applications and issuing interim negative notices The guidelines are in place. The department, however, cannot set artificial time frames for decisions. The robust working with children check requires consideration of all information relevant to risk and sourcing of this nationally is not in the control of the working with children screening unit. The focus is on the best and not the quickest decision. Cases are regularly triaged so that applications are processed as expediently as possible. Where an immediate risk is identified, either when the initial criminal record is received or when other information such as disciplinary information is sourced during assessment, an interim negative notice is issued. For example, when police notify of a new offence of concern about a current working with children cardholder, the average time to assess the case and issue an interim negative notice is four calendar days—inclusive of weekends and public holidays. There was a recommendation to — · take a risk-based approach to reviewing criminal record notifications received about working with children check card holders from July 2011 to mid-November 2013 to ensure they were appropriately actioned That has been achieved. The working with children screening unit confirmed with WA Police that they had no record of informal advice to the unit about a person with a possible new charge of concern that had not been followed up with a formal notification under section 17 of the Working with Children (Criminal Record Checking) Act 2004. There was a recommendation to — · work with WA Police to improve the matching of applicants between the two information systems A WA Police algorithm matches data as far as is feasible. Police advised that changing this algorithm is likely to result in false matches. There was a recommendation to — · prioritise and target audits of employers based on risk This continues to be in place. There was a recommendation to — · ensure all foster carers have a valid working with children check card or application in process. The department is continuing to tighten its guidelines and compliance actions in relation to foster and relative care.
640. Hon ALANNA CLOHESY to the minister representing the Minister for Child Protection: (1) Can the minister outline the process by which the Department for Child Protection and Family Support is notified when a person with working with children accreditation is charged by police with a criminal offence? (2) How long does it take for the department to be notified and what action is then taken? (3) How many recommendations of the 2014 Auditor General investigation into working with children checks are yet to be implemented? Hon DONNA FARAGHER replied: I thank the member for some notice of the question, and I apologise; this is quite a long answer, but it is an important one. (1) Section 17 of the Working with Children (Criminal Record Checking) Act 2004 provides for the Commissioner of Police or delegate to notify the working with children screening unit if a person has been charged with or convicted of an offence when the police reasonably believe this makes the person unsuitable to continue or carry out child-related work. Notifications are received from police if the person is believed to be in child-related work or holding a working with children card. This notification may be made directly by police to staff within the working with children screening unit when a person is charged. In addition, there is a link between information systems so that when a person has a current working with children card or a pending application for one, those cases are regularly checked to identify whether there is a match for a new charge of concern. (2) When a person with a working with children card is charged with a criminal offence and those offences relate to their ability to work with children, there are robust legislative mechanisms, electronic information systems and mature processes in place between the police and the department to prioritise these situations. Notification under section 17 depends on when police determine the person charged with an offence of concern may be in child-related work or hold a card; also, when police have the details they require to input the charge into their information system. When there is a very serious charge, such as a person being charged with a sexual offence and that person is clearly in child-related work, police notify the unit directly and promptly. Police also often take other action such as making sure that if the person is not in custody, bail conditions include not working with children. When these notifications are received, the working with children screening unit assesses them as they must under section 12 of the working with children act. Those cases in which a child has been offended against are actioned as an urgent immediate priority. The average time frame for issuing of interim negative notices is within four calendar days. Cases such as pending charges for sexual offences involving a child are issued with an interim negative notice so that child-related work is prohibited while the reassessment is underway. (3) All the recommendations have been progressed and I provide the following as an update in relation to the 2014 Auditor General’s report, “Working with Children Checks”. There was a recommendation to — · ensure the new application management system provides accurate information to support the allocating and prioritising of applications. This information should include how many and how long applications are waiting to be screened and assessed That is in place. There was a recommendation to — · prioritise applications for assessment based on risk and how long they have been waiting to be screened and assessed That continues to be in place. There was a recommendation to — · review staffing levels and capacity to more efficiently manage application processing and compliance monitoring An additional senior compliance officer is temporarily in place bringing the number of compliance staff to six, including management and support. Further resourcing is to be requested in line with amendments to the working with children act that have been approved for drafting. There was a recommendation to — · finalise assessment and decision-making guidelines, including setting timeframes for screening and assessing applications and issuing interim negative notices The guidelines are in place. The department, however, cannot set artificial time frames for decisions. The robust working with children check requires consideration of all information relevant to risk and sourcing of this nationally is not in the control of the working with children screening unit. The focus is on the best and not the quickest decision. Cases are regularly triaged so that applications are processed as expediently as possible. Where an immediate risk is identified, either when the initial criminal record is received or when other information such as disciplinary information is sourced during assessment, an interim negative notice is issued. For example, when police notify of a new offence of concern about a current working with children cardholder, the average time to assess the case and issue an interim negative notice is four calendar days—inclusive of weekends and public holidays. There was a recommendation to — · take a risk-based approach to reviewing criminal record notifications received about working with children check card holders from July 2011 to mid-November 2013 to ensure they were appropriately actioned That has been achieved. The working with children screening unit confirmed with WA Police that they had no record of informal advice to the unit about a person with a possible new charge of concern that had not been followed up with a formal notification under section 17 of the Working with Children (Criminal Record Checking) Act 2004. There was a recommendation to — · work with WA Police to improve the matching of applicants between the two information systems A WA Police algorithm matches data as far as is feasible. Police advised that changing this algorithm is likely to result in false matches. There was a recommendation to — · prioritise and target audits of employers based on risk This continues to be in place. There was a recommendation to — · ensure all foster carers have a valid working with children check card or application in process. The department is continuing to tighten its guidelines and compliance actions in relation to foster and relative care.
(1) Can the minister outline the process by which the Department for Child Protection and Family Support is notified when a person with working with children accreditation is charged by police with a criminal offence? (2) How long does it take for the department to be notified and what action is then taken? (3) How many recommendations of the 2014 Auditor General investigation into working with children checks are yet to be implemented? Hon DONNA FARAGHER replied: I thank the member for some notice of the question, and I apologise; this is quite a long answer, but it is an important one. (1) Section 17 of the Working with Children (Criminal Record Checking) Act 2004 provides for the Commissioner of Police or delegate to notify the working with children screening unit if a person has been charged with or convicted of an offence when the police reasonably believe this makes the person unsuitable to continue or carry out child-related work. Notifications are received from police if the person is believed to be in child-related work or holding a working with children card. This notification may be made directly by police to staff within the working with children screening unit when a person is charged. In addition, there is a link between information systems so that when a person has a current working with children card or a pending application for one, those cases are regularly checked to identify whether there is a match for a new charge of concern. (2) When a person with a working with children card is charged with a criminal offence and those offences relate to their ability to work with children, there are robust legislative mechanisms, electronic information systems and mature processes in place between the police and the department to prioritise these situations. Notification under section 17 depends on when police determine the person charged with an offence of concern may be in child-related work or hold a card; also, when police have the details they require to input the charge into their information system. When there is a very serious charge, such as a person being charged with a sexual offence and that person is clearly in child-related work, police notify the unit directly and promptly. Police also often take other action such as making sure that if the person is not in custody, bail conditions include not working with children. When these notifications are received, the working with children screening unit assesses them as they must under section 12 of the working with children act. Those cases in which a child has been offended against are actioned as an urgent immediate priority. The average time frame for issuing of interim negative notices is within four calendar days. Cases such as pending charges for sexual offences involving a child are issued with an interim negative notice so that child-related work is prohibited while the reassessment is underway. (3) All the recommendations have been progressed and I provide the following as an update in relation to the 2014 Auditor General’s report, “Working with Children Checks”. There was a recommendation to — · ensure the new application management system provides accurate information to support the allocating and prioritising of applications. This information should include how many and how long applications are waiting to be screened and assessed That is in place. There was a recommendation to — · prioritise applications for assessment based on risk and how long they have been waiting to be screened and assessed That continues to be in place. There was a recommendation to — · review staffing levels and capacity to more efficiently manage application processing and compliance monitoring An additional senior compliance officer is temporarily in place bringing the number of compliance staff to six, including management and support. Further resourcing is to be requested in line with amendments to the working with children act that have been approved for drafting. There was a recommendation to — · finalise assessment and decision-making guidelines, including setting timeframes for screening and assessing applications and issuing interim negative notices The guidelines are in place. The department, however, cannot set artificial time frames for decisions. The robust working with children check requires consideration of all information relevant to risk and sourcing of this nationally is not in the control of the working with children screening unit. The focus is on the best and not the quickest decision. Cases are regularly triaged so that applications are processed as expediently as possible. Where an immediate risk is identified, either when the initial criminal record is received or when other information such as disciplinary information is sourced during assessment, an interim negative notice is issued. For example, when police notify of a new offence of concern about a current working with children cardholder, the average time to assess the case and issue an interim negative notice is four calendar days—inclusive of weekends and public holidays. There was a recommendation to — · take a risk-based approach to reviewing criminal record notifications received about working with children check card holders from July 2011 to mid-November 2013 to ensure they were appropriately actioned That has been achieved. The working with children screening unit confirmed with WA Police that they had no record of informal advice to the unit about a person with a possible new charge of concern that had not been followed up with a formal notification under section 17 of the Working with Children (Criminal Record Checking) Act 2004. There was a recommendation to — · work with WA Police to improve the matching of applicants between the two information systems A WA Police algorithm matches data as far as is feasible. Police advised that changing this algorithm is likely to result in false matches. There was a recommendation to — · prioritise and target audits of employers based on risk This continues to be in place. There was a recommendation to — · ensure all foster carers have a valid working with children check card or application in process. The department is continuing to tighten its guidelines and compliance actions in relation to foster and relative care.
(2) How long does it take for the department to be notified and what action is then taken? (3) How many recommendations of the 2014 Auditor General investigation into working with children checks are yet to be implemented? Hon DONNA FARAGHER replied: I thank the member for some notice of the question, and I apologise; this is quite a long answer, but it is an important one. (1) Section 17 of the Working with Children (Criminal Record Checking) Act 2004 provides for the Commissioner of Police or delegate to notify the working with children screening unit if a person has been charged with or convicted of an offence when the police reasonably believe this makes the person unsuitable to continue or carry out child-related work. Notifications are received from police if the person is believed to be in child-related work or holding a working with children card. This notification may be made directly by police to staff within the working with children screening unit when a person is charged. In addition, there is a link between information systems so that when a person has a current working with children card or a pending application for one, those cases are regularly checked to identify whether there is a match for a new charge of concern. (2) When a person with a working with children card is charged with a criminal offence and those offences relate to their ability to work with children, there are robust legislative mechanisms, electronic information systems and mature processes in place between the police and the department to prioritise these situations. Notification under section 17 depends on when police determine the person charged with an offence of concern may be in child-related work or hold a card; also, when police have the details they require to input the charge into their information system. When there is a very serious charge, such as a person being charged with a sexual offence and that person is clearly in child-related work, police notify the unit directly and promptly. Police also often take other action such as making sure that if the person is not in custody, bail conditions include not working with children. When these notifications are received, the working with children screening unit assesses them as they must under section 12 of the working with children act. Those cases in which a child has been offended against are actioned as an urgent immediate priority. The average time frame for issuing of interim negative notices is within four calendar days. Cases such as pending charges for sexual offences involving a child are issued with an interim negative notice so that child-related work is prohibited while the reassessment is underway. (3) All the recommendations have been progressed and I provide the following as an update in relation to the 2014 Auditor General’s report, “Working with Children Checks”. There was a recommendation to — · ensure the new application management system provides accurate information to support the allocating and prioritising of applications. This information should include how many and how long applications are waiting to be screened and assessed That is in place. There was a recommendation to — · prioritise applications for assessment based on risk and how long they have been waiting to be screened and assessed That continues to be in place. There was a recommendation to — · review staffing levels and capacity to more efficiently manage application processing and compliance monitoring An additional senior compliance officer is temporarily in place bringing the number of compliance staff to six, including management and support. Further resourcing is to be requested in line with amendments to the working with children act that have been approved for drafting. There was a recommendation to — · finalise assessment and decision-making guidelines, including setting timeframes for screening and assessing applications and issuing interim negative notices The guidelines are in place. The department, however, cannot set artificial time frames for decisions. The robust working with children check requires consideration of all information relevant to risk and sourcing of this nationally is not in the control of the working with children screening unit. The focus is on the best and not the quickest decision. Cases are regularly triaged so that applications are processed as expediently as possible. Where an immediate risk is identified, either when the initial criminal record is received or when other information such as disciplinary information is sourced during assessment, an interim negative notice is issued. For example, when police notify of a new offence of concern about a current working with children cardholder, the average time to assess the case and issue an interim negative notice is four calendar days—inclusive of weekends and public holidays. There was a recommendation to — · take a risk-based approach to reviewing criminal record notifications received about working with children check card holders from July 2011 to mid-November 2013 to ensure they were appropriately actioned That has been achieved. The working with children screening unit confirmed with WA Police that they had no record of informal advice to the unit about a person with a possible new charge of concern that had not been followed up with a formal notification under section 17 of the Working with Children (Criminal Record Checking) Act 2004. There was a recommendation to — · work with WA Police to improve the matching of applicants between the two information systems A WA Police algorithm matches data as far as is feasible. Police advised that changing this algorithm is likely to result in false matches. There was a recommendation to — · prioritise and target audits of employers based on risk This continues to be in place. There was a recommendation to — · ensure all foster carers have a valid working with children check card or application in process. The department is continuing to tighten its guidelines and compliance actions in relation to foster and relative care.
(3) How many recommendations of the 2014 Auditor General investigation into working with children checks are yet to be implemented? Hon DONNA FARAGHER replied: I thank the member for some notice of the question, and I apologise; this is quite a long answer, but it is an important one. (1) Section 17 of the Working with Children (Criminal Record Checking) Act 2004 provides for the Commissioner of Police or delegate to notify the working with children screening unit if a person has been charged with or convicted of an offence when the police reasonably believe this makes the person unsuitable to continue or carry out child-related work. Notifications are received from police if the person is believed to be in child-related work or holding a working with children card. This notification may be made directly by police to staff within the working with children screening unit when a person is charged. In addition, there is a link between information systems so that when a person has a current working with children card or a pending application for one, those cases are regularly checked to identify whether there is a match for a new charge of concern. (2) When a person with a working with children card is charged with a criminal offence and those offences relate to their ability to work with children, there are robust legislative mechanisms, electronic information systems and mature processes in place between the police and the department to prioritise these situations. Notification under section 17 depends on when police determine the person charged with an offence of concern may be in child-related work or hold a card; also, when police have the details they require to input the charge into their information system. When there is a very serious charge, such as a person being charged with a sexual offence and that person is clearly in child-related work, police notify the unit directly and promptly. Police also often take other action such as making sure that if the person is not in custody, bail conditions include not working with children. When these notifications are received, the working with children screening unit assesses them as they must under section 12 of the working with children act. Those cases in which a child has been offended against are actioned as an urgent immediate priority. The average time frame for issuing of interim negative notices is within four calendar days. Cases such as pending charges for sexual offences involving a child are issued with an interim negative notice so that child-related work is prohibited while the reassessment is underway. (3) All the recommendations have been progressed and I provide the following as an update in relation to the 2014 Auditor General’s report, “Working with Children Checks”. There was a recommendation to — · ensure the new application management system provides accurate information to support the allocating and prioritising of applications. This information should include how many and how long applications are waiting to be screened and assessed That is in place. There was a recommendation to — · prioritise applications for assessment based on risk and how long they have been waiting to be screened and assessed That continues to be in place. There was a recommendation to — · review staffing levels and capacity to more efficiently manage application processing and compliance monitoring An additional senior compliance officer is temporarily in place bringing the number of compliance staff to six, including management and support. Further resourcing is to be requested in line with amendments to the working with children act that have been approved for drafting. There was a recommendation to — · finalise assessment and decision-making guidelines, including setting timeframes for screening and assessing applications and issuing interim negative notices The guidelines are in place. The department, however, cannot set artificial time frames for decisions. The robust working with children check requires consideration of all information relevant to risk and sourcing of this nationally is not in the control of the working with children screening unit. The focus is on the best and not the quickest decision. Cases are regularly triaged so that applications are processed as expediently as possible. Where an immediate risk is identified, either when the initial criminal record is received or when other information such as disciplinary information is sourced during assessment, an interim negative notice is issued. For example, when police notify of a new offence of concern about a current working with children cardholder, the average time to assess the case and issue an interim negative notice is four calendar days—inclusive of weekends and public holidays. There was a recommendation to — · take a risk-based approach to reviewing criminal record notifications received about working with children check card holders from July 2011 to mid-November 2013 to ensure they were appropriately actioned That has been achieved. The working with children screening unit confirmed with WA Police that they had no record of informal advice to the unit about a person with a possible new charge of concern that had not been followed up with a formal notification under section 17 of the Working with Children (Criminal Record Checking) Act 2004. There was a recommendation to — · work with WA Police to improve the matching of applicants between the two information systems A WA Police algorithm matches data as far as is feasible. Police advised that changing this algorithm is likely to result in false matches. There was a recommendation to — · prioritise and target audits of employers based on risk This continues to be in place. There was a recommendation to — · ensure all foster carers have a valid working with children check card or application in process. The department is continuing to tighten its guidelines and compliance actions in relation to foster and relative care.
Hon DONNA FARAGHER replied: I thank the member for some notice of the question, and I apologise; this is quite a long answer, but it is an important one. (1) Section 17 of the Working with Children (Criminal Record Checking) Act 2004 provides for the Commissioner of Police or delegate to notify the working with children screening unit if a person has been charged with or convicted of an offence when the police reasonably believe this makes the person unsuitable to continue or carry out child-related work. Notifications are received from police if the person is believed to be in child-related work or holding a working with children card. This notification may be made directly by police to staff within the working with children screening unit when a person is charged. In addition, there is a link between information systems so that when a person has a current working with children card or a pending application for one, those cases are regularly checked to identify whether there is a match for a new charge of concern. (2) When a person with a working with children card is charged with a criminal offence and those offences relate to their ability to work with children, there are robust legislative mechanisms, electronic information systems and mature processes in place between the police and the department to prioritise these situations. Notification under section 17 depends on when police determine the person charged with an offence of concern may be in child-related work or hold a card; also, when police have the details they require to input the charge into their information system. When there is a very serious charge, such as a person being charged with a sexual offence and that person is clearly in child-related work, police notify the unit directly and promptly. Police also often take other action such as making sure that if the person is not in custody, bail conditions include not working with children. When these notifications are received, the working with children screening unit assesses them as they must under section 12 of the working with children act. Those cases in which a child has been offended against are actioned as an urgent immediate priority. The average time frame for issuing of interim negative notices is within four calendar days. Cases such as pending charges for sexual offences involving a child are issued with an interim negative notice so that child-related work is prohibited while the reassessment is underway. (3) All the recommendations have been progressed and I provide the following as an update in relation to the 2014 Auditor General’s report, “Working with Children Checks”. There was a recommendation to — · ensure the new application management system provides accurate information to support the allocating and prioritising of applications. This information should include how many and how long applications are waiting to be screened and assessed That is in place. There was a recommendation to — · prioritise applications for assessment based on risk and how long they have been waiting to be screened and assessed That continues to be in place. There was a recommendation to — · review staffing levels and capacity to more efficiently manage application processing and compliance monitoring An additional senior compliance officer is temporarily in place bringing the number of compliance staff to six, including management and support. Further resourcing is to be requested in line with amendments to the working with children act that have been approved for drafting. There was a recommendation to — · finalise assessment and decision-making guidelines, including setting timeframes for screening and assessing applications and issuing interim negative notices The guidelines are in place. The department, however, cannot set artificial time frames for decisions. The robust working with children check requires consideration of all information relevant to risk and sourcing of this nationally is not in the control of the working with children screening unit. The focus is on the best and not the quickest decision. Cases are regularly triaged so that applications are processed as expediently as possible. Where an immediate risk is identified, either when the initial criminal record is received or when other information such as disciplinary information is sourced during assessment, an interim negative notice is issued. For example, when police notify of a new offence of concern about a current working with children cardholder, the average time to assess the case and issue an interim negative notice is four calendar days—inclusive of weekends and public holidays. There was a recommendation to — · take a risk-based approach to reviewing criminal record notifications received about working with children check card holders from July 2011 to mid-November 2013 to ensure they were appropriately actioned That has been achieved. The working with children screening unit confirmed with WA Police that they had no record of informal advice to the unit about a person with a possible new charge of concern that had not been followed up with a formal notification under section 17 of the Working with Children (Criminal Record Checking) Act 2004. There was a recommendation to — · work with WA Police to improve the matching of applicants between the two information systems A WA Police algorithm matches data as far as is feasible. Police advised that changing this algorithm is likely to result in false matches. There was a recommendation to — · prioritise and target audits of employers based on risk This continues to be in place. There was a recommendation to — · ensure all foster carers have a valid working with children check card or application in process. The department is continuing to tighten its guidelines and compliance actions in relation to foster and relative care.
I thank the member for some notice of the question, and I apologise; this is quite a long answer, but it is an important one. (1) Section 17 of the Working with Children (Criminal Record Checking) Act 2004 provides for the Commissioner of Police or delegate to notify the working with children screening unit if a person has been charged with or convicted of an offence when the police reasonably believe this makes the person unsuitable to continue or carry out child-related work. Notifications are received from police if the person is believed to be in child-related work or holding a working with children card. This notification may be made directly by police to staff within the working with children screening unit when a person is charged. In addition, there is a link between information systems so that when a person has a current working with children card or a pending application for one, those cases are regularly checked to identify whether there is a match for a new charge of concern. (2) When a person with a working with children card is charged with a criminal offence and those offences relate to their ability to work with children, there are robust legislative mechanisms, electronic information systems and mature processes in place between the police and the department to prioritise these situations. Notification under section 17 depends on when police determine the person charged with an offence of concern may be in child-related work or hold a card; also, when police have the details they require to input the charge into their information system. When there is a very serious charge, such as a person being charged with a sexual offence and that person is clearly in child-related work, police notify the unit directly and promptly. Police also often take other action such as making sure that if the person is not in custody, bail conditions include not working with children. When these notifications are received, the working with children screening unit assesses them as they must under section 12 of the working with children act. Those cases in which a child has been offended against are actioned as an urgent immediate priority. The average time frame for issuing of interim negative notices is within four calendar days. Cases such as pending charges for sexual offences involving a child are issued with an interim negative notice so that child-related work is prohibited while the reassessment is underway. (3) All the recommendations have been progressed and I provide the following as an update in relation to the 2014 Auditor General’s report, “Working with Children Checks”. There was a recommendation to — · ensure the new application management system provides accurate information to support the allocating and prioritising of applications. This information should include how many and how long applications are waiting to be screened and assessed That is in place. There was a recommendation to — · prioritise applications for assessment based on risk and how long they have been waiting to be screened and assessed That continues to be in place. There was a recommendation to — · review staffing levels and capacity to more efficiently manage application processing and compliance monitoring An additional senior compliance officer is temporarily in place bringing the number of compliance staff to six, including management and support. Further resourcing is to be requested in line with amendments to the working with children act that have been approved for drafting. There was a recommendation to — · finalise assessment and decision-making guidelines, including setting timeframes for screening and assessing applications and issuing interim negative notices The guidelines are in place. The department, however, cannot set artificial time frames for decisions. The robust working with children check requires consideration of all information relevant to risk and sourcing of this nationally is not in the control of the working with children screening unit. The focus is on the best and not the quickest decision. Cases are regularly triaged so that applications are processed as expediently as possible. Where an immediate risk is identified, either when the initial criminal record is received or when other information such as disciplinary information is sourced during assessment, an interim negative notice is issued. For example, when police notify of a new offence of concern about a current working with children cardholder, the average time to assess the case and issue an interim negative notice is four calendar days—inclusive of weekends and public holidays. There was a recommendation to — · take a risk-based approach to reviewing criminal record notifications received about working with children check card holders from July 2011 to mid-November 2013 to ensure they were appropriately actioned That has been achieved. The working with children screening unit confirmed with WA Police that they had no record of informal advice to the unit about a person with a possible new charge of concern that had not been followed up with a formal notification under section 17 of the Working with Children (Criminal Record Checking) Act 2004. There was a recommendation to — · work with WA Police to improve the matching of applicants between the two information systems A WA Police algorithm matches data as far as is feasible. Police advised that changing this algorithm is likely to result in false matches. There was a recommendation to — · prioritise and target audits of employers based on risk This continues to be in place. There was a recommendation to — · ensure all foster carers have a valid working with children check card or application in process. The department is continuing to tighten its guidelines and compliance actions in relation to foster and relative care.
(1) Section 17 of the Working with Children (Criminal Record Checking) Act 2004 provides for the Commissioner of Police or delegate to notify the working with children screening unit if a person has been charged with or convicted of an offence when the police reasonably believe this makes the person unsuitable to continue or carry out child-related work. Notifications are received from police if the person is believed to be in child-related work or holding a working with children card. This notification may be made directly by police to staff within the working with children screening unit when a person is charged. In addition, there is a link between information systems so that when a person has a current working with children card or a pending application for one, those cases are regularly checked to identify whether there is a match for a new charge of concern. (2) When a person with a working with children card is charged with a criminal offence and those offences relate to their ability to work with children, there are robust legislative mechanisms, electronic information systems and mature processes in place between the police and the department to prioritise these situations. Notification under section 17 depends on when police determine the person charged with an offence of concern may be in child-related work or hold a card; also, when police have the details they require to input the charge into their information system. When there is a very serious charge, such as a person being charged with a sexual offence and that person is clearly in child-related work, police notify the unit directly and promptly. Police also often take other action such as making sure that if the person is not in custody, bail conditions include not working with children. When these notifications are received, the working with children screening unit assesses them as they must under section 12 of the working with children act. Those cases in which a child has been offended against are actioned as an urgent immediate priority. The average time frame for issuing of interim negative notices is within four calendar days. Cases such as pending charges for sexual offences involving a child are issued with an interim negative notice so that child-related work is prohibited while the reassessment is underway. (3) All the recommendations have been progressed and I provide the following as an update in relation to the 2014 Auditor General’s report, “Working with Children Checks”. There was a recommendation to — · ensure the new application management system provides accurate information to support the allocating and prioritising of applications. This information should include how many and how long applications are waiting to be screened and assessed That is in place. There was a recommendation to — · prioritise applications for assessment based on risk and how long they have been waiting to be screened and assessed That continues to be in place. There was a recommendation to — · review staffing levels and capacity to more efficiently manage application processing and compliance monitoring An additional senior compliance officer is temporarily in place bringing the number of compliance staff to six, including management and support. Further resourcing is to be requested in line with amendments to the working with children act that have been approved for drafting. There was a recommendation to — · finalise assessment and decision-making guidelines, including setting timeframes for screening and assessing applications and issuing interim negative notices The guidelines are in place. The department, however, cannot set artificial time frames for decisions. The robust working with children check requires consideration of all information relevant to risk and sourcing of this nationally is not in the control of the working with children screening unit. The focus is on the best and not the quickest decision. Cases are regularly triaged so that applications are processed as expediently as possible. Where an immediate risk is identified, either when the initial criminal record is received or when other information such as disciplinary information is sourced during assessment, an interim negative notice is issued. For example, when police notify of a new offence of concern about a current working with children cardholder, the average time to assess the case and issue an interim negative notice is four calendar days—inclusive of weekends and public holidays. There was a recommendation to — · take a risk-based approach to reviewing criminal record notifications received about working with children check card holders from July 2011 to mid-November 2013 to ensure they were appropriately actioned That has been achieved. The working with children screening unit confirmed with WA Police that they had no record of informal advice to the unit about a person with a possible new charge of concern that had not been followed up with a formal notification under section 17 of the Working with Children (Criminal Record Checking) Act 2004. There was a recommendation to — · work with WA Police to improve the matching of applicants between the two information systems A WA Police algorithm matches data as far as is feasible. Police advised that changing this algorithm is likely to result in false matches. There was a recommendation to — · prioritise and target audits of employers based on risk This continues to be in place. There was a recommendation to — · ensure all foster carers have a valid working with children check card or application in process. The department is continuing to tighten its guidelines and compliance actions in relation to foster and relative care.
(2) When a person with a working with children card is charged with a criminal offence and those offences relate to their ability to work with children, there are robust legislative mechanisms, electronic information systems and mature processes in place between the police and the department to prioritise these situations. Notification under section 17 depends on when police determine the person charged with an offence of concern may be in child-related work or hold a card; also, when police have the details they require to input the charge into their information system. When there is a very serious charge, such as a person being charged with a sexual offence and that person is clearly in child-related work, police notify the unit directly and promptly. Police also often take other action such as making sure that if the person is not in custody, bail conditions include not working with children. When these notifications are received, the working with children screening unit assesses them as they must under section 12 of the working with children act. Those cases in which a child has been offended against are actioned as an urgent immediate priority. The average time frame for issuing of interim negative notices is within four calendar days. Cases such as pending charges for sexual offences involving a child are issued with an interim negative notice so that child-related work is prohibited while the reassessment is underway. (3) All the recommendations have been progressed and I provide the following as an update in relation to the 2014 Auditor General’s report, “Working with Children Checks”. There was a recommendation to — · ensure the new application management system provides accurate information to support the allocating and prioritising of applications. This information should include how many and how long applications are waiting to be screened and assessed That is in place. There was a recommendation to — · prioritise applications for assessment based on risk and how long they have been waiting to be screened and assessed That continues to be in place. There was a recommendation to — · review staffing levels and capacity to more efficiently manage application processing and compliance monitoring An additional senior compliance officer is temporarily in place bringing the number of compliance staff to six, including management and support. Further resourcing is to be requested in line with amendments to the working with children act that have been approved for drafting. There was a recommendation to — · finalise assessment and decision-making guidelines, including setting timeframes for screening and assessing applications and issuing interim negative notices The guidelines are in place. The department, however, cannot set artificial time frames for decisions. The robust working with children check requires consideration of all information relevant to risk and sourcing of this nationally is not in the control of the working with children screening unit. The focus is on the best and not the quickest decision. Cases are regularly triaged so that applications are processed as expediently as possible. Where an immediate risk is identified, either when the initial criminal record is received or when other information such as disciplinary information is sourced during assessment, an interim negative notice is issued. For example, when police notify of a new offence of concern about a current working with children cardholder, the average time to assess the case and issue an interim negative notice is four calendar days—inclusive of weekends and public holidays. There was a recommendation to — · take a risk-based approach to reviewing criminal record notifications received about working with children check card holders from July 2011 to mid-November 2013 to ensure they were appropriately actioned That has been achieved. The working with children screening unit confirmed with WA Police that they had no record of informal advice to the unit about a person with a possible new charge of concern that had not been followed up with a formal notification under section 17 of the Working with Children (Criminal Record Checking) Act 2004. There was a recommendation to — · work with WA Police to improve the matching of applicants between the two information systems A WA Police algorithm matches data as far as is feasible. Police advised that changing this algorithm is likely to result in false matches. There was a recommendation to — · prioritise and target audits of employers based on risk This continues to be in place. There was a recommendation to — · ensure all foster carers have a valid working with children check card or application in process. The department is continuing to tighten its guidelines and compliance actions in relation to foster and relative care.
(3) All the recommendations have been progressed and I provide the following as an update in relation to the 2014 Auditor General’s report, “Working with Children Checks”. There was a recommendation to — · ensure the new application management system provides accurate information to support the allocating and prioritising of applications. This information should include how many and how long applications are waiting to be screened and assessed That is in place. There was a recommendation to — · prioritise applications for assessment based on risk and how long they have been waiting to be screened and assessed That continues to be in place. There was a recommendation to — · review staffing levels and capacity to more efficiently manage application processing and compliance monitoring An additional senior compliance officer is temporarily in place bringing the number of compliance staff to six, including management and support. Further resourcing is to be requested in line with amendments to the working with children act that have been approved for drafting. There was a recommendation to — · finalise assessment and decision-making guidelines, including setting timeframes for screening and assessing applications and issuing interim negative notices The guidelines are in place. The department, however, cannot set artificial time frames for decisions. The robust working with children check requires consideration of all information relevant to risk and sourcing of this nationally is not in the control of the working with children screening unit. The focus is on the best and not the quickest decision. Cases are regularly triaged so that applications are processed as expediently as possible. Where an immediate risk is identified, either when the initial criminal record is received or when other information such as disciplinary information is sourced during assessment, an interim negative notice is issued. For example, when police notify of a new offence of concern about a current working with children cardholder, the average time to assess the case and issue an interim negative notice is four calendar days—inclusive of weekends and public holidays. There was a recommendation to — · take a risk-based approach to reviewing criminal record notifications received about working with children check card holders from July 2011 to mid-November 2013 to ensure they were appropriately actioned That has been achieved. The working with children screening unit confirmed with WA Police that they had no record of informal advice to the unit about a person with a possible new charge of concern that had not been followed up with a formal notification under section 17 of the Working with Children (Criminal Record Checking) Act 2004. There was a recommendation to — · work with WA Police to improve the matching of applicants between the two information systems A WA Police algorithm matches data as far as is feasible. Police advised that changing this algorithm is likely to result in false matches. There was a recommendation to — · prioritise and target audits of employers based on risk This continues to be in place. There was a recommendation to — · ensure all foster carers have a valid working with children check card or application in process. The department is continuing to tighten its guidelines and compliance actions in relation to foster and relative care.
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