About the Working with Children Clearance

Keeping Our Children Safe

Screening volunteers and employees working in "child-related" employment is one of a range of Northern Territory Government initiatives designed to help keep our children safe. It is part of a comprehensive range of measures introduced under the Care and Protection of Children Act to ensure that children in the Northern Territory (NT) are safe and well cared for.

The Care and Protection of Children Act includes:

• Measures to prevent the harm and exploitation of children

• Provisions to support families to care for their children
• Continuing support for young people leaving the care of the Chief Executive from 18 years of age until they reach 25 years of age
• Establishment of a Children’s Commissioner
• Regulation of Children’s Services
• A Child Death Review and Prevention Committee
• Introduction of a screening system for "child-related" employment (Working with Children Clearance)

Employers, self-employed persons, employees and volunteers all have obligations under the Act.

The Working with Children Clearance

Every day children are taught, coached, cared for and entertained by workers and volunteers. From football coaches and piano teachers to childcare workers, high school teachers, and volunteers for cultural organisations and church groups - everyone plays a part in helping educate, nurture and inspire our children.

 

A Working with Children Clearance has been introduced under the Act as one way to prevent and deter people who pose a risk to the safety of children from working with them, in either a paid or volunteer capacity.

 

From 1 July 2011 anyone employed or volunteering in "child-related" work will be required by law to hold an Ochre Card, which is photo ID proof they have passed the Working with Children Clearance screening process and received a Clearance Notice. Screening for clearances commenced on 1 September 2010.