Working with Children Week is 22 - 28 June 2026.
The 2026 theme is Start Safe: smarter recruitment for child safety.
What is Working with Children Week?
This year, NSW will celebrate its sixth Working with Children Week in recognition of over 2 million people who contribute to the lives of the state’s children in education, sports, arts and community organisations.
This annual event highlights child safety requirements in NSW, including the Working with Children Check and the Child Safe Standards.
Start Safe: smarter recruitment for child safety
Child safety isn’t just shaped by policies or checks; it’s shaped by the people we bring into roles, the expectations we set for them, and the support we provide once they start. Recruitment is one of the most powerful, and often overlooked, moments where culture is set, and risks are either reduced or reinforced.
“Starting safe” means thinking beyond minimum requirements and looking at the full recruitment picture. It’s about asking better questions during recruitment, being clear about values and responsibilities, checking referees meaningfully, and making sure people are inducted, supervised and supported in ways that reinforce child-safe practice.
Smarter recruitment also acknowledges that child safety doesn’t end on day one. Ongoing training, clear expectations, and supportive workplaces help people stay accountable, confident, and capable in keeping children safe over time.
This theme is about recognising that many of the decisions that protect children are made quietly, behind the scenes, in job design, selection processes, leadership conversations and everyday workforce practices.
How we can help organisations
We’re here to work with organisations to develop their understanding of child safety requirements. Children are safer when organisations are equipped with the knowledge, skills and awareness to keep children safe through continual education and training.
Organisations can commit to ongoing child-safe professional development in a number of ways:
- Include staff training obligations in Child safe policies
- Seek out more advanced, specialised training for staff working in high-risk situations
- Connect with the Office of the Children’s Guardian to receive expert advice and free resources.
Work with us to develop and share your understanding of child-safe practices this Working with Children Week:
- Register for one of our sector-tailored eLearning courses.
- Give your WWCC records a health check and reach out if you need help with any part of the process. More information about WWCC compliance for organisations.
- Use our media kit to show your support for continual education and training in child-related organisations.
- Celebrate examples of child-safe learning in your organisation with the hashtag #WWCW2026.
