Working with children checks are conducted by the SA Department of Human Services Screening Unit. Once the Screening Unit receives an application, it will look at the assessable information relating to the applicant against the prescribed risk assessment criteria to determine whether or not the applicant poses an unacceptable risk to children [Child Safety (Prohibited Persons) Act 2016 (SA) s 26(1)].

A working with children check does not just involve a police check [s 25(2)]. The Screening Unit must determine whether or not the applicant is prohibited from working with children [s 26(5)]. The Unit is not bound by the rules of evidence and may inform itself as it thinks fit [s 26(3)]. It must, however, conduct working with children checks in accordance with guidelines published in the Gazette [ss 4 and 26(4)]. The current Working with Children Check Guidelines (July 2024) can be downloaded from the Department's website or by clicking here (PDF, 461KB). The Guidelines include a consideration of how the Screening Unit determines whether someone poses an unacceptable risk to children (see pages 16 - 18).

A working with children check may be used in relation to any child-related work even if it was applied for in relation to a particular position, service, activity or employer [s 26(6)].