Criminal record checks are often required by non-profits and schools for parent volunteers. Some school boards and organizations require all volunteers to get a record check, no matter how small their role. There are good reasons for record checks, but it is important they don’t go too far.
Why screen parent volunteers for criminal records?
Non-profit organizations, including sports teams and schools, are required to have risk management policies in place. Unfortunately, directors and school board members will often interpret this to mean blanket policies that don’t make sense in every situation. Directors and board members are worried about being held personally responsible if something goes wrong.
There are some instances where it makes sense for parent volunteers to present a clean criminal record check such as overnight trips or the ferrying of children in a personal vehicle.
However, most volunteering takes place in group settings. It’s more effective for organizations to take a targeted approach that combines things like:
- Record checks
- Reference checks
- Interviews
- Job descriptions
- Probationary periods
- Supervision
Why not screen everyone?
Parent volunteers have compelling reasons to want to be a part of their children’s school and extra-curricular activities.
- Getting to know the teachers, aides and other parents
- Being part of their child’s education
- Being able to reassure themselves that their child is happy and safe at school
In addition, blanket record check policies can have some negative impacts.
- Families on a fixed budget may not be able to afford it.
- Newcomers to Canada may feel intimidated by the process.
- Some record checks can take months to come back, either because the person has a record or their name or date of birth matches someone who does.
- They can reveal non-conviction information that is not relevant.
- People with criminal records can withdraw from the life of the school even if the record was irrelevant or long ago.
- Poorly trained volunteers can spread gossip if they find out.
When assessing a criminal record, organizations should look at whether it is relevant to the situation. If a school needs someone to sell cookies at a bake sale, a DUI shouldn’t matter. On the other hand, if a swim team needs someone to drive kids to a competition, the charge could be a matter of concern. A fraud conviction may be relevant to the selection of the team’s treasurer. However, it’s not very relevant to tagging along on a field trip.
Unfortunately, not all volunteer organizations are willing to take a chance on a person with a record. As well, many parents with records will withdraw their application instead of submitting to a record check due to embarrassment.
Instead of requesting record checks from all volunteers, organizations can adopt policies for specific roles. Volunteering at a special event could be treated differently than tutoring, for example. One is a short-term role where the parent will not develop close relationships and will not be alone with students. The other is a one-on-one relationship that could involve being alone with the student.
Policies might cover:
- Who can be alone with students or children?
- Who can drive children in a personal vehicle?
- What supervision is needed?
- What types of records are unacceptable?
- Where will the record check be stored and who should have knowledge of it?
With a written policy, organizations will avoid the potential for discrimination and will be able to welcome more eager volunteers.
If you have a criminal record, a Record Suspension (or pardon) can help you seal the past so that you can take a greater role in your child’s life. Contact us today for a free consultation at 1-866-972-7366.