The Worker Carer Exclusion Scheme (WCES), introduced in July 2024, replaced the previous Victorian Carer Register (VCR) and Suitability Panel. The WCES has the same purpose as the VCR, which is to screen carers prior to the commencement of caring for a child or young person.
The purpose of the check is to screen whether a carer has been excluded, even on an interim basis, or is currently under investigation by the Social Services Regulator (SSR), due to behaviours that place children or young people at risk of serious harm.
The types of conduct that exclude an individual include:
- Sexual offences
- Sexual misconduct
- Physical violence
- Any behaviour that causes significant emotional or psychological harm
- Significant neglect
Further information about the scheme can be found on the Social Services Regulator website.
Your WCES responsibilities as a VACCA carer
Carers who have been excluded, including on an interim basis, must not work, or apply for work in the out-of-home care sector or care services. It is an offence to do so and can incur a fine, and in some cases imprisonment of up to 2 years.
When to advise VACCA
Should you be advised that your conduct is under investigation, by an organisation, through schemes like the Client Incident Management Scheme (Department of Families Fairness and Housing) and/or Reportable Conduct Scheme (Commission for Children and Young People), the Social Services Regulator or under consideration by a WCES panel, you must advise VACCA as soon as possible and within 2 days of receiving notification.
To notify VACCA, please email our Human Resources team at humanresources@vacca.org and include the following details:
- Email subject line – WCES
- Full name, as described on your identification
- Current address and contact details
- Your role as a carer
- Contact details of your case worker
- Your closest VACCA office
The HR team will then advise your next steps.
If you have any questions about this process, or require further information, please contact Mika Akune, Executive Manager, Child Safeguarding and Quality on csq@vacca.org.