Criminal History Screening and Professional Placement or Any Other Professional Experience Activity
The Department of Education and Children’s Services (DECS) (which includes TAFE and its Adult Migrant Education Program), Catholic Education South Australia (CESA) and the Association of Independent Schools of South Australia (AISSA) have advised the University that all students participating in professional experience placement or any other professional experience activity must obtain clearance to work with minors in South Australian educational or child care settings prior to being accepted on placement. A Reference Group, consisting of representatives from the above organisations, operates to assist in this process.
The University has no power over the decision of the Reference Group in this matter. If you fail to obtain clearance for any reason, the University cannot accept responsibility for obtaining a professional experience placement or any other professional experience activity that you may require to complete your course of study.
All students undertaking professional experience placement or any other professional experience activity in any South Australian education or early childhood sites are required to use the Department of Families and Communities (DFC) Criminal History Screening process.
The strictest confidentiality will be maintained by the DFC with the information provided during their clearance process.
The University does not require you to obtain a Criminal History Screening clearance as a condition of enrolment. However, the University will require students to undertake a Criminal History Screening clearance as a condition of eligibility for professional experience placement or any other professional experience activity. Ultimately, if you cannot undertake a professional experience placement or any other professional experience activity which is a compulsory part of your program, you cannot graduate with a Education Degree from UniSA.
