VOLUNTEERING
Children like to see their parents at school - whether
attending a working bee, helping in the classroom, library or talking to a
teacher. Such visits are encouraged. Please speak to the class teacher
regarding classroom assistance to organise an appropriate time.
Volunteers are required to hold a current and valid Blue
Card prior to commencing activities in/arranged by a school (e.g. camps, sports
or excursions) and will need to apply for their own Blue Card. They must not
commence providing child-related activities until they hold a current and valid
Blue Card. The frequency of contact a volunteer has with children and young
people is irrelevant.
Parents that volunteer their services or conduct activities
at their child’s school do not require a Blue Card. Parents who are also paid
employees are required to hold a Blue Card, as being a parent of a child at the
school does not exempt them from that requirement (the paid employee (parent)
can commence employment while the Blue Card application is being processed).
Non-custodial grandparents are required to hold a current
and valid Blue Card prior to commencing their volunteer assistance in school
activities or paid employment.
Student teachers undertaking practical teaching sessions (as
part of compulsory academic course requirements) must hold a current and valid
Blue Card prior to commencing their practicum at a school. The student
teacher’s university must apply for the Blue Card.
Businesses engaging with schools need to hold a current and
valid Blue Card prior to commencing work if undertaking the following
functions:
·
counselling and support services;
·
private teaching, coaching or tutoring, unless
paid employees carry out this work in their capacity as an employee of a
provider;
·
childcare;
·
education programs conducted outside of schools;
·
religious representatives;
·
child accommodation services, including
homestays (Blue Cards are not required by individuals taking billets organised
by state schools for less than 10 days on no more than two occasions per year);
·
providers of recreational activities such as
sporting camps and programs (excluding amusement parks);
·
operators of hostels for children other than
residential facilities.