Lions District 201 W2 fully supports the Working with Children (Criminal Record Checking) Act 2004 Working With Children Act (Criminal Record Checking) 2004 (as it will apply from January 1, 2006)The Working with Children (Criminal Record Checking) Act 2004 came into effect on 1 January 2006. This new legislation will require volunteers who are involved in child related work to have a Working With Children check. The current National Police Checks for Volunteers Program (NPCVP) program also applies to Lions club members in their capacity as community volunteers in certain situations. From January 1, 2006 there will be two “Police Checks”:1) Working with Children (WWC) checks will apply to all volunteers who work with children aged 0-7 years in any category of child-related work. From January 1, 2007 this will be extended to include all children aged from 8-12 and from January 1, 2008 to all children/young adults aged from 13-18. 2) National Police Checks for Volunteers Program (NPCVP), checks which Lions have been applying for and receiving (National Volunteer Police Checks).Even if Lions members have applied for and received a satisfactory NVPC prior to January 1, 2006 they will now require a WWC before they can continue working with children 0-7 years during 2006, 0-12 years during 2007 and 0-18 years thereafter. Those requiring WWC checks must apply for them in person at Australia Post. The cost for this check is $10. If a member applying for the WWC check also requires a National Volunteer Police Check, this will be provided at no additional charge. An assessment number will be issued for a WWC check and this must be provided to the National Police Checks for Volunteers program if the member requests a NVPC at a later time. A NVPC will continue to be required if Lions members are or wish to participate in Club projects that involve the aged or disabled. As before, they have a life of three years from the date they are applied for, after which they will need to be renewed with a further application. The Lions District Registrar (Police Checks) will continue to process applications as in the past, using the same Application Form. They will continue to cost $10 each. Further information is available on this website www.checkwwc.wa.gov.auPlease refer to “Working With Children Act and National Volunteer Police Checking” page on this website. District Registrar (Police Checks) Lions District 201W2 The District has adopted a policy whereby members of Clubs within the District may only participate in activities that involve people under the age of eighteen years after they have applied for and obtained a National Volunteer Police Check indicating they have no history of behaviour that may harm or place those young people at risk. The Immediate Past District Governor, for the purposes of administering the application of the Act within the District, shall perform the role of District Registrar (Police Checks). The IPDG shall forward to the Police applications from members requiring a National Volunteer Police Check, advise members of the outcome of their application and maintain a Register of members who have obtained one. Each Lions club is required to maintain a similar register of their own members to facilitate the management of the Act.
Any organisation or body working on a project involving young people jointly with members of Lions clubs from Lions District 201W2, is entitled to request to see evidence of a satisfactory Police Check obtained by those Lions members before participation by them on the project commences. This evidence may be obtained from the member, the Register of the member’s club or the Lions District Register managed by the Immediate Past District Governor. It is not obligatory for members of Lions Clubs to apply for and receive a National Volunteer Police Check but is if members wish to participate in activities the subject of the Act. Working with Children
(Criminal Record Checking)
Act 2004 The Working with Children (Criminal Record Checking) Act 2004 has passed through both houses of State Parliament and been proclaimed and gazetted. As a result of this Act it will be compulsory for all Lions members, partners and support personnel working on youth projects to have a Police Criminal Record Check by applying for a Volunteer National Police Check. The aim of this Act: · To provide for procedures for checking the criminal record of people who carry out child related work or who propose to carry out such work. · To prohibit certain people who have been convicted of or charged with certain offences from carrying out child related work, and · To provide for related matters. · For the purpose of this bill a child is a person under the age of 18 years A copy of this Act can be obtained from the Government of Western Australia web site or can be purchased from the Government Printer. Bill Robertson APM CBL Chairman (2006-2007) District 201W2 | 
