background checks for volunteers and chaperones

In south australia, everyone works with children has to have a Police check. In addition, there are some jobs, such as with the education Department, where one not only needs a police check, but must have a Families SA check as well. Plus, the Education Department require all employees to do a course called "child safe environments". My daughter had to do all the above at age 17, as she is a swimming instructor for schools. I know that nowadays, all volunteers must have apolice check. All teachers would already have had all these checks to get employment.

Not background checks, but they do have to be fingerprinted. This started 4 or 5 years ago.

Hi Snuggles, I think you have a very good point here! I hadn't thought about it, as far as I know our school doesn't require this. My daughter is a girl scout leader and had to have it. You can always take your concerns to the school board. There is certainly enough in the news about teachers violating children that they might go ahead and require it! GO FOR IT!!! You do have the RIGHT!!

I had applied at school districts before and they all have to go through those kinds of checks before they are hired...even the janitor. I don't know that the district office would pass that information on to others as it is considered confidential, but I'm sure that it is on file somewhere. I don't know why someone would get snippy about that kind of question unless they are totally insecure in their ability or something. I know that even volunteer agencies that might deal with kids require a background check so it is nothing new. I guess it is better than finding out that the new volunteer was actually a pedophile many years ago or something after they had abused a child because they weren't checked out before being allowed to work with the kids.

Our school does not require background checks for volunteers or chaperones.. but then again we're a really small community and everyone pretty much knows everyone else anyway, unless you're new to the area. And usually when we go to a meet the teacher day or something, the teacher will tell us how long they've been teaching, what grades they've taught.. that sort of thing.

Around here all staff and teachers must undergo background checks prior to being hired. I believe they must do this each time they sign a new school year contract also. It stemmed a few years ago because of the man bus drivers who had a lot of felony's that they will no longer allow the staff without it. As for the parents and chaperones, I have not heard this around here but then my children are older. So maybe I am just not aware.

Where I volunteer they require a background check every five years. It's free and I get to have fun interacting with the girls. It doesn't take very long for me to get the paperwork filled out and checked at the police station. I just need certain pieces of ID. The background check helps to keep the girls safe.

It's a scary world we live in and not always fair. I know that I would feel better with every adult coming in contact with me child was checked out, but that is not possible at this time. We have a great many pedifiles in our area and everyonce in a while they find one who has been a very well liked and respected man who no one suspected of this fault. It's best to just prepare your children as best you can for an encounter.