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Many organisations could tighten up their processes for recruiting and managing employees who work with vulnerable people, but according to a compliance expert, there's also a major opportunity to overhaul accreditation and background-checking at a national level.

As reported widely in mainstream news, this week a Victorian childcare worker has been accused of child sexual abuse. He did not have a criminal record, and held a working with children check (WWCC), which has since been cancelled.

While not commenting directly on this case, WorkPro CEO Tania Evans tells HR Daily the current system, where employers have full responsibility for conducting background checks and other screening, is not fit for purpose.

She has observed that across multiple industries (including childcare, aged care and disability services), some employers simply do not verify that prospective employees have the required qualifications and accreditations; often they don't conduct reference checks or other appropriate background checks or screening...