Working with Young and Vulnerable People
This page is for the information of those members of BPC who wish to work with children in ministries at BPC such as kids programmes, youth group, Summer Mission, and so on. This information is also relevant for members who are in leadership positions including bible study leaders, preachers, congregational ministers and elders.
If you are teaching SRE there are extra requirements. You can work your way through these steps, but please talk to a pastor about what else is needed.
There is a four step process before you can work with any young and/or vulnerable people at Bathurst Presbyterian Church. Please read through these instructions carefully before beginning and work through them in order.
1. Apply for a New South Wales government Working With Children number (WWC)
If you already have a WWC number from a previous church or employment you do not need to reapply. You can use the same number in multiple places.
If you do not have a number, click here to go to the NSW government WWCC application page.
- Under Purpose for check enter “Volunteer”
- Under Sector select “Religious Services”
After you fill in the online form you will be emailed a receipt. You need to take identification (e.g. licence) and the ‘New application receipt’ to a Motor Registry Office in person, and then your WWC number will be emailed to you.
Once you have your WWC email with your number and expiry date, this needs to be forwarded to the BPC Child Protection Coordinator (contact details below).
2. Undergo our basic child protection training
Our Breaking the Silence Basic Training is offered face to face every year but is also available online.
This involves working your way through 7 online training modules regarding safe ministry alongside a workbook with readings and thought-provoking questions. Once you have worked through the 7 modules you will need to complete the online multiple choice quiz to ensure you have understood the material.
To download the handbook, read the modules and complete the quiz click here.
3. Read and understand your job description
It is important to know what is expected of you as a volunteer, so please ask the leader of the ministry activity you are joining to go through a job description with you. This outlines the roles and responsibilities you will undertake as a volunteer and ensures you know what you’re signing up for. This job description will need to be signed and returned to the ministry leader before moving on to step 4.
4. Fill in the Presbyterian Working with Children Check Registration form
The form is short and can be found here. This form will ask you for:
- Your WWC number
- Your date of birth
- Your Position or Role (select the most appropriate for what you will be doing)
- Your Church/Ministry (select Bathurst)
- Your Breaking the Silence training date (this is the date you completed the quiz in step 2).
Once you submit the form your answers will be forwarded to Jericho Road who will verify your details and send both yourself and the BPC Child Protection Coordinator a confirmation email.
Only once you have received this confirmation email at the end of the 4 steps can you be added to BPC’s compliance list and start serving.
BPC’s Child Protection Coordinator is Jess Sowden (jessica.sowden@hotmail.com). Please do not hesitate to contact her if you have any questions about the above process.