Working with Children (Criminal Record Keeping) ACT 2004
Overview/About
An Act to provide for procedures for checking the criminal record of those who carry out, or propose to carry out child related work. It is to prohibit people who have been charged with or convicted of certain offences from working in child related work. The working with children check needs to be updated every three years unless there is a criminal conviction (in which case it has to be updated earlier and may or may not be re-issued depending on the type of conviction). It is different to a national police clearance in this way. A national police clearance is only valid on the day of issue. All criminal charges are assessed including juvenile convictions.
Needs For This Law
All teachers, teachers aids/assistants and anyone who works with children requires one. This prevents convicted pedophiles, sex offenders and other dangerous criminals from coming into close contact with children. The working with children act aims to protect children in the following ways:
- Providing child protection policies and procedures
- Screening and reference checking all applicants equally
- Communicating with parents
- Empowering children to know their rights and who they can raise concerns with
Main Principles/Pros
- Protects children
- Gives parents peace of mind when deciding on childcare, schooling and other child based services.
- Allows employers to employ safe staff into a child-related work environment
Negatives/Cons
- Does not remove all criminals from coming into contact with children
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