It’s Working with Children Week – how will you say thank you?

In 2023, New South Wales is celebrating Working with Children Week from 19-25 June, saying thank you to the thousands of people who contribute to the lives of the state’s children in education, sports, arts and community organisations.

More than 1.8 million people hold a NSW Working with Children Check clearance for volunteer or paid work. In 2023, the theme of Working with Children Week is Suitable and Supported Staff. 

Working with Children Week aims to highlight how organisations should do their part to ensure that adults working with children are suitable and supported, by: 

• Prioritising child safety in recruitment, including advertising and screening
• Verifying volunteers and paid workers online using the Working with Children Check 
• Providing an appropriate induction so that all staff understand their child safety responsibilities
• Supervising and supporting staff to encourage child-safe practices.

This annual event also raises awareness of key child protection requirements in NSW, including the Working with Children Check and the Child Safe Standards. From 1 February 2023, the Children’s Guardian can issue penalties where organisations do not comply with the Child Safe Standards.

The Office of the Children’s Guardian also offers a free Child Safe Self-Assessment where organisations can find out how well they are implementing the standards.

To support organisations to get involved with Working with Children Week, a website with resources, information and training has been created to help support and celebrate quality leadership and all those who help children thrive.