InPlace Care wish to ensure that the safety of our Supporters and their Clients is paramount in the provision of Home Care support.
We do this in part by making sure all our contracted carers are fit for service within the Aged Care Industry through having a current and acceptable Criminal Record Check. We are pleased to share with you the background to this Check and how InPlace Care handles the review and approval of all potential carers who apply to become a business partner with InPlace Care.
The Aged Care Act 1997 stipulates in Division 2 ‘Responsibilities of approved providers’;
Conditions for all new staff members and volunteers, an approved provider must not allow a person to become a staff member or volunteer unless the approved provider is satisfied that:
- subject to section 1.22, there is for the person a National Police Certificate that is dated not more than 1 year before the day on which the person first becomes a staff member or volunteer; and
- the police certificate does not record that the person has been:
- convicted of murder or sexual assault; or
- convicted of, and sentenced to imprisonment for, any other form of assault.
The candidate must have a current and original National Police Certificate, that is, no more than 12 Months old. InPlace Care will accept this as evidence of ability to work within the Aged Care Health sector. The certificate will be checked for currency and acceptable content for employment in the Health Care Sectors.
Carers are advised that it is their responsibility to advise InPlace Care of any convictions they may receive between check intervals. If all other elements of the recruitment process have been satisfactory, the carer can be placed on the InPlace Care Service database ready to be offered work as it becomes available.
Additional outstanding charges, warrants, court orders, offences, finding of guilt, with or without conviction, for the following also need to be taken into account when determining suitability to work within the Health Sector. Carers will be excluded from the InPlace Care Service if their disclosable court outcomes include a finding of guilt or conviction for:
- murder or sexual assault
- any other form of assault
- any offence involving harm or exploitation of vulnerable people
- Serious alcohol or drug related offences that indicate a pattern of dependence,
- Drug trafficking and
- Any offence involving dishonesty.
If the report is deemed to be negative then the carer will not be released into the service. Exceptional circumstances may exist and all decisions need to be;
- Made objectively, based on fact,
- Related directly to the inherent requirements of the work that may be undertaken by the candidate,
It should be noted that the carer is entitled to a fair process and has a right of independent review.
Should a prospective Carer not have a current National Police Certificate they will not be able to join InPlace Care and are advised to go online to any government approved provider, complete and print the form from the site and fulfill the requirements as requested on the form.
The National Police Certificate needs to be renewed at periodic intervals, as stipulated in the legislation, so carers must remember to have a current and up to date certificate available for viewing by any Supporter within the Health Care Sector.