If you are choosing a support worker, one of the first questions you may ask is whether they need a police check.
In practice, a police check is one of the most important checks to look for before engaging a support worker. If someone is directly employing a support worker, the NDIA’s own guidance recommends checking that they have a current National Police Clearance, along with other screening and reference checks.
At Careseekers, workers complete a verification and compliance process before providing services through the platform, including police checks and NDIS Worker Screening.
Why police checks matter
A police check is an important part of assessing whether a worker is suitable to provide support in someone’s home or community.
For individuals and families, it can provide an added layer of reassurance when choosing someone to assist with day-to-day support, personal care, transport, routines or community access.
A police check is not the only thing that matters. You should also look at:
- NDIS Worker Screening
- references
- relevant experience
- qualifications or training where needed
- communication and fit
A worker can have a valid police check and still not be the right fit for the role. But it remains one of the core checks you should expect.
Is a police check the same as NDIS Worker Screening?
No. A police check and an NDIS Worker Screening Check are not the same thing.
An NDIS Worker Screening Check is conducted by a state or territory worker screening unit and assesses whether a worker poses a risk to people with disability. It can result in the worker being cleared or excluded, and it is nationally recognised for up to five years.
The NDIA’s own guidance for people directly engaging support workers recommends having a current National Police Clearance as well as an NDIS Worker Screening Check. That is a useful distinction because it shows these checks serve related but different purposes.
What should you look for?
If you are choosing a support worker, it is sensible to check that they have:
- a current police check
- NDIS Worker Screening
- identity verification
- relevant references
- any required qualifications or experience for the role
If children are involved, a Working With Children Check may also be required or strongly advised depending on the state or territory and the type of support being provided.
What this means on Careseekers
Careseekers workers are independent contractors, so screening and verification are especially important.
Workers on the platform complete a verification and compliance process before they can provide services through Careseekers. This includes police checks and NDIS Worker Screening, helping individuals, families, coordinators and providers choose workers with greater confidence.
Careseekers also provides insurance cover for workers delivering services through the platform.
Police checks are important, but they are not the whole picture
When choosing a support worker, it helps to think about police checks as one part of a broader decision.
You still need to ask:
- Has this person supported people with similar needs before?
- Are they comfortable with the type of support required?
- Do they communicate clearly?
- Do they feel reliable and professional?
- Are they the right fit for the person receiving support?
The right support worker is not just someone who has completed the right checks. It is someone who can provide the right support in a way that feels safe, respectful and consistent.
Frequently asked questions
Do all support workers need police checks?
A police check is one of the key checks families and participants should look for before engaging a support worker. On Careseekers, workers complete police checks as part of the platform’s verification process.
Is a police check enough on its own?
No. A police check is important, but it should be considered alongside NDIS Worker Screening, references, experience and fit.
Do support workers also need NDIS Worker Screening?
Yes. All workers on the Careseekers platform are required to complete NDIS Worker Screening. For NDIS settings more broadly, the NDIS Worker Screening Check is a separate process from a police check.
What if a worker supports children?
A Working With Children Check may also be needed depending on the worker’s role, the age of the participant and the state or territory requirements.
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