Overview of the Worker and Carer Exclusion Scheme
The Worker and Carer Exclusion Scheme started on 1 July 2024.
The Scheme is designed to address risks posed by individual workers and carers that require additional interventions.
The database maintains the details of people who:
- have been excluded, including on an interim basis and
- are under investigation by the Social Services Regulator.
Workers and carers in scope
Workers and carers covered by the scheme include:
- foster carers
- workers or carers providing care and services to children in residential out-of-home care services
- workers or carers providing care and services to children in Secure Care services.
Out-of-home care service providers that engage the above workers or carers are also in scope of the scheme.
The scheme does not apply to:
- kinship carers
- permanent carers
- adoptive carers
- people engaged by providers on a voluntary basis other than foster carers, for example most lead tenants (a volunteer who lives in out-of-home care as a supervisor for young people).
Requesting a database check
Service providers are responsible for requesting database checks for all prospective workers and carers in scope of the scheme. This function cannot be delegated, for example to a temporary staffing agency.
If you are a service provider and require access to the database, please email WCESdatabase@ssr.vic.gov.au.
A database check request can be submitted any time, but will only be processed between 9am and 5pm on business days. Please see below for information about urgent checks.
The request must include the person's:
- full name, as registered under the Births, Deaths and Marriages Act 1996 (the Act) or an equivalent law of another jurisdiction
- any previous name for that person registered under the Act or another law
- shortened name or nickname, if they are known by a name different to their registered name
- current residential address
- date of birth.
Service providers are responsible for ensuring that information provided is correct. If incorrect or incomplete information has been submitted, the processing time may be extended, and the validity of the check may be compromised.
Urgent checks
If an unexpected or urgent database check is required outside of business hours, the service provider can call or text the Social Services Regulator on 0400 841 242. A verbal or text message response will be provided. The service provider must then complete a formal database check the following business day.
Reporting obligations
Workers and carers
Workers and carers must tell all service providers where they are employed or engaged if:
- they are under investigation or
- they have been excluded – including on an interim basis.
Workers and carers must do this:
- as soon as reasonably practicable, and
- within 2 days of receiving notification from the Social Services Regulator or a panel.
Failure to disclose this information to an employer is an offence.
Conduct that can lead to exclusion
A worker or carer may be excluded from providing care for conduct towards:
- a child accessing WCES (out-of-home-care) services or
- any other person with the characteristics of a WCES service user
Carers can be excluded from providing care if they:
- engage in conduct that causes serious harm
- engage in conduct that is reasonably likely to cause serious harm
- engage in persistent or repeated conduct that results in harm
- engage in prescribed conduct.
Serious harm means harm, whether a single instance of harm or repeated or persistent instances of harm, that results in one or more of the following:
- death
- loss of a foetus
- permanent or long-term serious impairment
- permanent or long-term serious disfigurement
- permanent or long-term severe psychological injury or developmental delay.
Prescribed conduct includes:
- a sexual offence
- sexual misconduct
- physical violence
- any behaviour that causes significant emotional or psychological harm
- significant neglect.
Reporting by service providers and any other person
Service providers must notify the Social Services Regulator as soon as reasonably practicable, of any:
- incident that results in serious harm to a child accessing services
- incident that is reasonably likely to cause serious harm to a child accessing services
Any other person, including service providers, can report the alleged conduct of a worker or carer in scope of the scheme using the Worker and Carer Exclusion Scheme – notification form.
Completed forms and any relevant attachments must be encrypted and password-protected before being emailed to WCESdatabase@ssr.vic.gov.au.
Investigations and exclusions
A worker or carer can be excluded from providing a Worker and Carer Exclusion Scheme service if they:
- have engaged in conduct that can lead to exclusion, and
- are found by an exclusion panel to pose an unjustifiable risk of harm to children.
An interim exclusion may be issued to a worker or carer while an investigation or panel process is underway.
Workers and carers who have been excluded, including on an interim basis, must not work, or apply for work, in the out-of-home-care sector. It is an offence to do so.
Carers under investigation as of 30 June 2024, will continue to have their matters investigated and considered under the Children, Youth and Families Act 2005. Their details will be included in the Worker and Carer Exclusion Scheme database.
Any carer disqualified from the Victorian Carer Register prior to 1 July 2024, is excluded from working in the out-of-home care sector under the Worker and Carer Exclusion Scheme.
More information
Contact us
More information on the Worker and Carer Exclusion Scheme is available by calling 1300 310 778 or emailing WCESdatabase@ssr.vic.gov.au.
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