Screening & Hiring

What is Screening and Hiring?

Finding candidates you can trust includes additional steps beyond interviewing and checking references such as periodic criminal and sexual offense background checks.

At minimum, Screening and Hiring Includes:

Written application and signed Statement of Suitability.
Comprehensive personal interview and reference checks.
State criminal records check (CORI) and national criminal background checks at hire and periodically (recommended).

State sexual offender registry check (SORI) and national sexual offense background checks at hire and periodically (recommended).
Consider national and state child abuse registry checks.

Screening & Hiring
How-To in 3 Steps

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Step 1

Basic Requirements

Develop a standard protocol for gathering screening information, including a timeline, who is responsible for each step, and documentation procedures.
Identify individuals who are responsible for ensuring all candidates are screened according to your organization’s policies.
Conduct interviews for all staff and volunteers, including asking questions about the staff or volunteers’ suitability to work with children.
Verify all candidates provide at least two references from recent and relevant work and that telephone reference checks are conducted for all positions.
Require a written application and signed Statement of Suitability confirming no circumstances prevent all candidates from working safely with children.

Step 2

Assess Risk and Additional Screening Requirements

Consider the nature, duration, and frequency of contact between the staff, volunteers, and children and youth.
Identify the physical locations of activities where staff and volunteers interact with children and youth.
Assess which employee interactions with children and youth are supervised, monitored, or unsupervised.
Consider the ages and vulnerabilities of the children and youth being served.
Identify the potential for any staff or volunteer to be alone with any child or group of children.
Ensure additional requirements in Massachusetts and Federal laws are known and included in your screening policies and procedures.

Step 3

Implement Additional Screening Measures

Conduct state criminal records check (CORI) and national criminal background checks at hire and periodically.
Administer state sexual offender registry check (SORI) and national sexual offense background checks at hire and periodically.
Verify state and national child abuse registry checks.
Check professional credentials to ensure the suitability of candidates to work with children.
Review driving records and ensure adequate licensure if the position includes the responsibility to transport children and youth.
Conduct a home observation if work is conducted at a child’s or staff person’s home.