WORKING WITH CHILDREN
As a sport every Athletics West Centre, delegate Athletics Club and Senior Athletics Club in the state of WA (with the exception of Masters Athletics WA) has registered members under the age of 18.
In addition to this, all Athletics West sanctioned events (including the Go for 2&5 Track and Field Season program and out of stadia events) involve participants under the age of 18.
It is a legislative requirement of the State Government of WA for Athletics West to comply with the requirements of the Working With Children (Criminal Record Checking) Act 2004. This means Athletics West must ensure all those who require a working with children check has one. Those roles in sports likely to be considered to be in child-related work include paid and unpaid volunteers, coaches, officials and club administrators who have contact with a child. Everyone in these roles must check whether they require WWC card or if they qualifiy for an exemption.
Child related work includes coaching, volunteering and supporting sport related events and clubs, coaching and education tuition where U18’s are present. This includes all club office bearers.
The following categories of roles in athletics likely to require a WWC Card, unless exempt, include:
- A paid coach who coaches anyone under the age of 18
- State level Officials whom have contact with U18’s (and their own child is not involved or if involved, is over 18 years old)
- Paid administrators such as Athletics Club Executive Officers where the club has registered members U18.
Exemptions
The following exemptions apply to the Act where the person is not in scope and does not require a WWC card:
- Parent Volunteer Exemption – Where the parent of a registered member who is under 18 years of age is engaged in child related work as a coach or administrator or committee member. Where the parent's child is no longer but the parent continues to volunteer, the exemption no longer applies and they must apply for a WWC card.
The WWC Card is a process to support both minors and the coach/official/administrator. In the unlikely event of a child safeguarding matter arising, a valid Working With Children Card ensures that all process have been put in place to support all members of the athletics community.
All Athletics West affiliated Clubs and Centres must ensure that their club members who require a valid WWC have one.
For coaching and officiating at any Athletics West sanctioned event or program you will be required to hold a valid card, not doing so may result in being unable to carry out your chosen role.
5 day Threshold and Defence
Most important to note the 5-day Threshold and Defence is NOT an exemption. The Threshold and Defence applies to individuals and organisations differently, fines apply and Members and Clubs should be aware of the administration requirements if choosing to rely on this. Simply, the 5-day threshold is for unforseen circumstances and emergenices only, where someone who normally performs a duties or task is unable to and a stand in is required. This allows an individual to stand in as a volunteer or paid person in child-related work where they do not have to apply for a WWC. The 5 days per year applies to the individual across any one-off volunteering they may undertake for any organisation. Clubs must keep records, and have them available for audit purposes, any circumstances where an individual in scope for a WWC has volunteered without a WWC card.
Applying for a WWC Check
Applying for a WWC Check is straight forwards and can be done at your local post office. The links below highlight how to apply for a Card in simple straight forwards steps. For those that are involved in the sport at a voluntary level, be sure to select the volunteer card as this is at a heavily reduced cost $11. If you are applying for the first time to list Athletics West as the organisation you are volunteering though, as this will ensure that the card is liked to the appropriate organisation.
Information on how to apply for a Working With Children Check and obtain your photo ID Card:
How to apply: https://workingwithchildren.wa.gov.au/applicants-card-holders/applying-for-a-wwc-check/how-to-apply
FAQ’s: https://workingwithchildren.wa.gov.au/resources/publications/faqs
Checking if your current card has expired: https://workingwithchildren.wa.gov.au/card-validation