The National Catholic Education Commission has welcomed the commitment of Australia’s attorneys-general to move toward a national checking capability for the state-based working with children checks.
On Friday, after a meeting of state attorneys-general, Attorney-General Michelle Rowland confirmed there would not be a national Working With Children Check system to replace the patchwork of state systems, and instead ministers would work on a national “checking capability” that allowed the states to communicate with each other, ABC News reported.
NCEC executive director Jacinta Collins has committed to working across jurisdictions to help schools and early childhood providers in the Catholic sector assist the Government in developing a national approach to child safety checks and information sharing.
“A working with children check is not a ‘silver bullet’, it sits alongside education materials, student voice, sound policies, effective recruitment practices, training, professional development and constant vigilance which prioritises child safety,” Ms Collins said.
The Catholic sector includes 1755 primary and secondary schools and 700 early childhood and learning services nationally and is perfectly placed to action a pilot of a national checking system.
Catholic Education is reaching out to Education Minister Jason Clare and Ms Rowland to see how the Catholic sector can help progress a national approach.
“With schools and early childhood centres in each state and territory, Catholic education can help the Government stand up and test nationally consistent checking and information sharing mechanisms. We would welcome the chance to pilot this essential initiative.” Ms Collins said.
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