Feedback on updated Working with Children Clearance Policy: deadline approaching
We appreciate the feedback that has been received from many members on the updated Working with Children Clearance Policy. Your input is very important and helps inform the changes proposed under the policy.
Consultation is open to all members until 4 August 2023. If you have not done so yet, we encourage you to review the policy and share your views. We want to hear from as many people as possible.
How can you provide feedback?
- Access the draft policy via CFA’s Policy Library on Members Online. Instructions on how to submit feedback are available at the top of the page.
- You can review what this means for you and your role.
- We welcome your comments on the timing, the four stages and the roles listed in each schedule.
- Feedback can also be given directly to Child Safety’s WWCC inbox: wwcc@cfa.vic.gov.au
- more roles at CFA will require a WWC Clearance over the next few years and this will depend on what role you hold
- we are working towards all CFA members having a WWCC by 30 June 2026
- the changes would be introduced in four stages (called ‘schedules’) with more roles requiring a WWCC in each stage.
The current Working with Children Check (WWCC) Policy, released in April 2021 and updated in March 2022, requires all new and transferring members to have and maintain a current WWC Clearance.
Current members who perform a role that involves regular direct contact with children are already required to hold a WWC Clearance under the Worker Screening Act 2020.
This includes roles such as Junior Leaders, Fire Safe Kids Presenters, and members responsible for delivering training to 16 to 17-year-olds.
How did CFA decide which roles will require a WWCC in each stage?
This draft WWC Clearance Policy has been developed using a risk-based approach. A role analysis was conducted to identify the risk levels for each role at CFA.
The analysis looked at whether the role:
- has any contact with children including direct, regular indirect, or occasional indirect contact
- is a leadership position with access to systems that interact with children or hold personal information about children
- may be involved in the management, review, or support of child safety cases.