The Screening Unit is responsible for screening all adoption applicants. A Department officer/assessor
must initiate screening applications for all applicants and adult household members using the online
Record Check Consent Application System (RCCAS). Children 10 years of age and above who live with the applicants should be listed in the applicant's RCCAS application as a household member.
| In exceptional circumstances, where applicants or household members can't use the RCCAS to lodge their screening application (e.g. due to not having an email address or access to a computer/mobile phone), they can use the Form 395 - Record Check Consent Form (in related resources).
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The following relates to the applicants and any identified adult household members.
Traffic Infringement History
If the applicant's traffic infringement history results identify two or more traffic infringements that include speeding, drink driving and/or suspension of their driver's licence, within the last five years, the applicant, as per the AAC's Road Safety Policy, are asked to provide the a record of their previous five years of traffic infringements. The assessor must explore and discuss these offences with the applicant (how and why the offences occurred and how these may impact on the safety of a child placed with them and other road users). Any relevant details must be added into the assessment report.
Please see the AAC's Road Safety Policy for further information (also in related resources).
Minor or non-adverse screening results
The Screening Unit will provide the authorised officer via email, a copy of the applicant's criminal history in a Check Result Report with a Submission Template attached.
If the authorised officer deems the results minor or non-adverse, the submission is not required and this information does not need to be added into the Assessment Report. The applicant must be given a copy of the Check Result Report.
The authorised officer then sends confirmation to the Screening Unit to finalise the process.
Adverse screening results
The Screening Unit will provide the authorised officer via email, a copy of the applicant's criminal history in a Check Result Report with a Submission Template attached.
If the authorised officer deems the results to be adverse, they will discuss the results with the applicant. The applicant will advise whether they consider that the results are correct and accurate and must be given a copy of the Check Result Report. The authorised officer completes the Submission Template provided with the Check Result Report with their recommendation and attaches the Assessment Report. The information contained in the Submission and Assessment Report will be provided to the assessor and the AAC for their consideration.
The authorised officer sends the final version of the Submission Template (containing their recommendation) to the Screening Unit to finalise the screening process.
Adverse Client and Child Protection Records are determined by the Screening Unit. A memorandum outlining the adverse records is sent to the Director Adoptions and relevant Executive Director by the Manager Screening Unit, with a request for approval that the adverse records are not an impediment to the continuation of the adoption assessment.
When all required screening assessments are completed the Screening Unit will forward a letter via email to the authorised officer confirming the screening check process is finalised and enter the Screening Unit outcome numbers into Assist.
Referees
The assessor contacts a range of referees to obtain further personal information about the applicant, particularly covering their child rearing years if applicable. At least two referees should be contacted for a single applicant and four referees for a couple. The number of referees contacted depends on the need to clarify specific issues and on the quality of the information provided. The assessor should make sure the applicant selects a range of people including family members, friends, colleagues, neighbours etc. At least one referee should be unrelated to the applicant.
The Form 708 Referee Report for Adoption Applicants (also in related resources) is posted to the nominated referees to complete and send back to the Department. The referees are asked to provide evidence to support the applicant's ability to meet the Suitability Requirements. Wherever possible this information is confidential, however this cannot be guaranteed due to Freedom of Information legislation.
The completed
Form 708 must be included in the Part File that goes to the assessor when allocated an adoption assessment.
The assessor will contact all adult children connected to the applicants. However, if there are numerous, then the assessor is required to use their judgement on how many need to be contacted if the reports from several are positive.
If the applicant is currently working in, or has previously worked in any child-related field, then an employer or colleague should be contacted.
