Working with Vulnerable People (WWVP) Policy Template

Mandates pre-employment and ongoing screening checks for all staff, contractors, and volunteers including police checks and state-based WWVP/WWCC clearances, ensuring the facility meets child and vulnerable person protection obligations.

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Working with Vulnerable People (WWVP) Policy Template

Protect residents from harm before employment begins — a comprehensive WWVP screening policy covering all staff, volunteers, contractors, and students in your facility.

Overview

All people working with aged care residents must be screened for suitability through a combination of national police checks and jurisdiction-specific Working with Vulnerable People (WWVP) or Working with Children Checks (WWCC). While these checks are often managed under the Recruitment Policy, the complexity of ongoing check renewal, contractor screening, and multi-state obligations warrants a dedicated standalone policy. This template establishes a comprehensive screening governance framework for all workforce categories.

What This Policy Covers

Scope: employees, contractors, volunteers, students, and visiting practitioners
National Police Check requirements and acceptable timeframes
State/territory WWVP/WWCC check requirements by jurisdiction
Aged Care Worker Screening (national framework obligations)
Pre-commencement check completion requirements
Ongoing renewal obligations and reminder systems
Management of adverse check results
Restrictions on unsupervised access pending check completion
Record-keeping and confidentiality obligations for check results
Reporting obligations for disqualified workers

Compliance Alignment

Aged Care Act 1997 – Key Personnel suitability requirements
Aged Care Quality Standard 7 – Human Resources
Working with Vulnerable People (Background Checking) Act (jurisdiction-specific)
Aged Care Worker Screening database obligations
Privacy Act 1988 (handling criminal check records)

Why This Policy Matters

Permitting a staff member or contractor to work unsupervised with residents without a current WWVP check is a serious breach of the provider's duty of care and a direct ACQSC non-compliance trigger. Renewal lapses — particularly for long-term employees — are a common and avoidable finding. A dedicated WWVP policy with a systematic renewal reminder process eliminates this risk.

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Performance Management Policy

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Pets and Companion Animals Policy

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Family and Carer Engagement Policy

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Sexuality and Intimacy Policy

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Sensory Aids and Communication Support Policy

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Sleep and Rest Policy

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Business Continuity Policy

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Wound Care Pressure Injury Prevention Policy

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