Frequency of Background Checks

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How often should background checks be done for existing staff and volunteers?

Mike McCarty responds in our Ask the Experts discussion.

Try also:

Background checks, Screen volunteer, Screen worker, Screening

Posted:

4/07/2010

Total Reader Responses:

1 [ Read responses | Add your own response ]

Question:
We have volunteers and staff that have been with us for more than five years. They work with children and youth. How often should we renew a criminal background check for them?

Answer:
How frequently to run background checks is a question that comes up frequently, however, there is no legal precedence that I am aware of on this issue. Most organizations have (or should have) policies that require an employee or volunteer to notify them of an arrest, but they do not always do this. Employers are slowly beginning to realize that a person hired today with a clear background report could commit a crime tomorrow. Therefore, a successful background screening program consists of ongoing background checks. It is certainly not practical or financially viable to do daily or weekly background checks. Organizations must define the frequency for themselves, taking into account the safety of children, members, visitors, staff and the ministry. Many law enforcement agencies conduct background checks every five years. The majority of churches I have worked with that conduct ongoing background checks require them to be renewed every two to five years. The downloadable resource on ChurchSafety.com, "Using Background Screening," will give you further insight into this topic.

Posted: April 09, 2010

Roy Fuller

(Guest)

It is my opinion that background checks should be run every 3 years. Circumstances change frequently within the life of an individuals. The church cannot afford to assume that everything is remaining status quo in the lives of their members and attendees.

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