20 Feb 2017
With the start of the new school year, school principals will be building strong partnerships with new parents in providing services and activities for students.
All school Principals and parent volunteers in schools are reminded there are some legislative obligations attached to these roles, including for parent volunteers.
As with other state and territory models, the NSW Working With Children Check allows parents to volunteer in school and other activities that involve their own children without needing a Check.
The two exemptions from the Working With Children Check for parent volunteers are:
- volunteering by a parent or close relative of a child in activities for the child's school, early education service or other educational institution
- volunteering by a parent or close relative, with a team, program or other activity in which the child usually participates or is a team member.
If the volunteering work fits either of these descriptions, the parent does not need to get a Working With Children Check.
However, this is not a blanket exemption for all parent volunteers. If the work is part of a formal mentoring program or involves intimate personal care of children with a disability, the parent volunteer must get a Check.
Applicants should allow four weeks to receive their Working With Children Check results.
As there is so much controversy around mentoring programs in schools, the Office of the Children's Guardian has advised schools for all volunteers to have a working with children's check. This check is free of charge. Brochures are available from the front office.