A new audit report assesses whether WA Health and the Departments of Education and Justice have complied with their Working with Children Check requirements.
The report, Working with Children Checks – Managing Compliance, found that none of the three entities fully complied with their obligations.
Auditor General, Caroline Spencer said that as a result, the entities could not be sure that everyone who needed a Working with Children Card had one.
“All three entities understood the need for cards, but control weaknesses have created a risk that unsuitable individuals could work with children,” Ms Spencer said.
“For example, all entities had procedures for managing Working with Children Checks, but they were not always followed.”
She said the entities did not consistently manage card records across operational areas, and information was often decentralised. As a result, management did not have a complete understanding of whether everyone required to, had a card.
“With new employees, the entities did not always check with the Department of Communities that their cards were valid or inform the Department of hiring them,” Ms Spencer said.
“We found gaps in processes, errors in record-keeping, and shortcomings in performance monitoring.
She said this meant that the entities might be unaware that a prospective employee’s card had been revoked, creating a risk that unsuitable employees could be working with children.
The Auditor General made a number of recommendations to ensure entities managed their working with children obligations.
“We have opted to de-identify the findings to allow us to progress the audit, while reducing pressure on Agencies at the frontline of the State’s COVID-19 response,” Ms Spencer said.
“All public sector entities who work with children, not just those audited, should consider the report findings and recommendations,” she said.
The Auditor-General’s 11-page report can be accessed at this PS News link and the audit team was Aloha Morrissey, Andrew Harris, Adam Dias, Justin Fairhead and Rachael Wilkins.
