Action you can take if you are a WWC Connect user:
- Understand the changes. Review your processes. Prepare your team.
- Check that your team member’s (where relevant) WWC Clearance information is accurate and up to date.
- Be aware that any new workers or volunteers engaged in child related work from 19 October 2026 will need to be connected to your organisation using WWC Connect.
- Details required include:
- the worker or volunteer’s correct name
- WWC Check card or application number
- address
- phone number.
- Be aware that notifications will need to be made to the Social Services Regulator via WWC Connect. This will need to happen when the details of a worker or carer engaged in child-related work change, or when your organisation ceases to engage them in a role performing child-related work.
- Make relevant recruitment compliance and HR staff aware of the changes.
- Inform workers and volunteers about the mandatory training requirement where relevant.
Once the changes come into effect, nominated WWC Connect users should:
1. Check – use the WWC status checker to check a person’s WWC Clearance before engaging them in child-related work.
2. Connect – when ready to formally engage a worker in child related work, connect them to the organisation using WWC Connect
3. Record – keep appropriate records to show you have completed the required checks and connection
4. Maintain – keep your WWC Connect records up to date as workers start or stop doing child-related work for you and if their contact details change.
You are also strongly encouraged to connect your existing workers and volunteers. This will provide a more complete view of your child-related workforce. It will help ensure you receive notifications if someone’s WWC Clearance status changes.
Action you need to take as a WWC Check applicant/WWC Clearance holder:
• Visit the Mandatory Child Safety Training page for more information.
• Complete the training if you are a:
- new WWC Check applicant
- person renewing their WWC Clearance
- person changing from a volunteer WWC Clearance to employee WWC Clearance.
- You must complete the training before your WWC Check application can be finalised.
- If you hold a current WWC Clearance, you don’t need to take any action until your Clearance is due for renewal or if you are changing from a volunteer WWC Clearance to an employee WWC Clearance.
More information and frequently asked questions:
Please visit Changes to the Working with Children Check on the SSR website for further information, including a new informational video, frequently asked questions and fact sheet. Please note, the frequently asked questions will continue to be updated to include further guidance on how to use WWC Connect and what to expect from the mandatory child safety training. I encourage you to revisit the webpage regularly and to encourage your networks to do the same, so they have access to the latest information and guidance.