Children's Act 2014 requirements

If you are applying or have been admitted into a programme which consists of a practicum or service placement component, you may be subject to safety checks under the Children's Act 2014.

A safety check includes (but is not limited to) a New Zealand Police vet and an assessment of the risk, if any, that the student would pose to the safety of children if employed or engaged as a children’s worker.

The University conducts these safety checks on behalf of the organisations in which students perform practical work over the course of their studies, and student safety check information (including the NZ Police vet) may be disclosed to these organisations.

Students enrolled in an Initial Teacher Education, Counselling or Social Work programme found to have been convicted of a specified offence (as listed in Schedule 2 of the Children's Act 2014) or otherwise assessed to pose an undue risk to the safety of children, you may not be permitted to perform the required practical work and so be unable to complete the programme. For more information, see the legislation Children's Act 2014.  

The Criminal Records (Clean Slate) Act 2004 does not apply to Police vets conducted to perform safety checks of core children’s workers under the Children's Act 2014, even if it would normally permit that person to conceal their criminal convictions.