Course Dates 2010

date	location	contact
February 2010	Wheatbelt North	Ray Long 9191 2055
March 2010	Denmark	Kendra Green 9892 1145

The WALGA RoadWise program runs 6 Type 1 Child Car Restraint courses across Western Australia a year to enable people in the region to become Type 1 Child Car Restraints Fitters. Lead Trainers throughout WA also run the course at different times and locations, their details are below. The aim of this training program is to provide you with the knowledge and skills to competently check and fit child restraints in vehicles and to be part of a state-wide network of qualified and approved Type 1 Fitters.

The course covers theory and practical so participants can run their own checking and fitting stations for their clients and community. This is a nationally accredited course funded by the road trauma trust fund and supported by the road safety council.
The course runs for a full day from 9.00 – 5.00pm with morning tea and lunch included. There is also an option to attend a checking and fitting station provided for the community to get practical experience on what you learnt the previous day.

Type 1 Child Car Restraint Fitters are then provided with ongoing advice and support available via the Child Car Restraint Coordinator and other appropriately experienced and skilled practitioners, access to website information, news bulletins and networking opportunities.

As a Type 1 Child Car Restraint Fitter you will be able to correctly fit child car restraints to an approved standard and give advice and consumer information regarding different types of child car restraints and their suitability for use according to a child’s size and weight.

In view of the proposed draft the 7th Australian Road Rules Amendment Package into local law, the demand for child car restraint checking will indefinitely increase. The amendment package proposes that all children aged 7 and under be restrained in an Australian standard child car restraint. This can be a great opportunity for your organisation to get involved.

You can offer your services to those in need of a Type 1 fitter to your clients or people in your community. You can volunteer your time or charge your clients a fee for your services. There is also an opportunity to apply for Community Road Safety Grants to establish regular child car restraint fitting stations with your organisation or a combination of organisations in your community.

To get more information or to register contact you regional road safety officer, contact details below, or call the Child Car Restraint Co-ordinator, Heidi Stewart on 9213 2089 or email. 

Child Restraint Course Achieves National Accreditation

Western Australia is leading the way in child car safety, having achieved national accreditation for a course designed to ensure the correct installation of child car restraints. Forming part of the Type I Child Care Restraints Fitting Service funded by the Road Safety Council and created by WALGA RoadWise program, the course is expected to increase the number of qualified fitters throughout Western Australia.

The Office of Road Safety has worked closely with various stakeholders including Kidsafe, WALGA Roadwise program and Red Cross to develop two units of competency covering installation and advice on correct child restraint use to achieve the national accreditation and ensure longevity for the course. Office of Road Safety Project Officer Teresa Rechichi said work with these stakeholders continues in a bid to increase the training opportunities available.

“Ideally we would like to see registered training organisations and TAFEs deliver the course to ensure we spread the word about the importance of fitting child restraints correctly.”

“Ultimately we want to reduce the number of deaths and injuries for children aged zero to seven years caused as a result of being unrestrained or inappropriately restrained in a motor vehicle,” Ms Rechichi said.

As the agency with ownership of the course, the Office of Road Safety is currently working with various registered training organisations and interested parties, such as VicRoads and Hyundai, to enable delivery of the course to relevant individuals, including those undertaking Children’s Services training.

Registered training organisations interested in delivering the course can contact Teresa Rechichi at the Office of Road Safety on 9323 4595.

Lead Trainers

name	location	number
Sue Wicks	Subiaco	9340 8509
Melita Leeds	Subiaco	9340 8509
Julia Poole	Busselton	9725 4033
Heidi Stewart	West Perth	9213 2089
Peta Stokes	Geraldton	9965 0155
Nicole Dawson	Narrogin	9881 0385