Released 25/07/2017
As the winter sporting season commences, ACT sporting clubs are reminded to check that their coaches and volunteers hold current Working with Vulnerable People (WWVP) cards.
The WWVP scheme was introduced to provide another important measure to protect children and vulnerable members of our community.
Minister for Regulatory Services, Gordon Ramsay, said that sporting clubs and volunteers are a pivotal part of our community and it was important that they also played a key role in keeping our kids safe.
“We greatly appreciate our coaches and volunteers who often give up their weekends and evenings to support kids in sport. This is one of the ways we show we value our young people. So is the WWVP scheme,” Mr Ramsay said.
“WWVP registration reduces the risk of harm to vulnerable people. It’s one of the ways we can give parents and the community confidence that their kids are safe.
“The scheme is working well with approximately 92,000 current WWVP registrations across a range of regulated activities in the ACT. We continue to work hard to make getting registered an easy process with no cost for volunteers.
“ACT sporting clubs and associations can help keep children and other vulnerable people safe by checking their employees and volunteers hold a current WWVP registration card.
“Access Canberra staff will be taking an educative and informative approach at training and game days at selected sporting events throughout the year.
“Just like on the field, keeping the vulnerable and our kids safe is a team effort and I ask clubs and coaches to work with us to make this happen,” Mr Ramsay said.
Local sporting organisations have a high turnover of paid and volunteer staff so at the beginning of each season it is good practice to:
- Identify roles in your organisation that need a WWVP registration card;
- Sight the card;
- Copy the front and back of the card to keep on file;
- Note any conditions the card may have;
- Conduct regular visual check of cards; and
- Review expiry dates.
Employees and volunteers can apply for WWVP registration at www.act.gov.au/accesscbr
To check if you are required to be registered take the online survey at www.act.gov.au/wwvptakethetest
“I would like to take this opportunity to encourage all Canberrans to take the online survey to verify whether the activity they work or volunteer in requires WWVP registration,” Mr Ramsay said.
If you are not registered and should be, you need to register now. For more information call Access Canberra on 13 22 81 or visit www.accesscanberra.act.gov.au
- Statement ends -
Gordon Ramsay, MLA | Media Releases