Ongoing Implementation of Your Policies and Procedures
Your Policies and Procedures must be adhered to by all staff and volunteers to maintain safety standards at your Youth-Serving Organization (YSO)….
Home / Screening & Hiring / Screening Toolbox: Internet, Social Media Search
Because the internet and social media are a rich source of information about prospective candidates, and social media is perceived as a forum in which individuals are likely to reveal a more complex picture of themselves, some organizations include a search of these sources as part of their background check. Since employers are obligated to disclose all information used in making a decision not to hire an individual, you should assess the benefits and risks of acquiring information through social media checks.
A potential benefit of social media/internet searches is the possibility that you could discover information regarding inappropriate behaviors that would not fit with your codes of conduct, including sexualized postings to or about minors, other forms of violence, and/or drug or alcohol abuse.
Potential Risks include:
* These items are protected from discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) of 1964, and other local laws. A candidate cannot be disqualified from a job based on this information alone, and when it is present, can make use of any other information legally challenging. For more information, see the USEEOC website: (p44, CTA) https://www.eeoc.gov/employers
Policies & Procedures
Your Policies and Procedures must be adhered to by all staff and volunteers to maintain safety standards at your Youth-Serving Organization (YSO)….
Safe Environments
Safe Environment Strategies: Visibility Whether or not you can control the design of your space, physical safety depends on your ability to…
Monitoring Behavior
Your Youth-Serving Organization (YSO) should develop a protocol to keep staff and volunteers accountable for their behaviors. Identify the…
Training
Staff and volunteers must be trained on child abuse prevention, including the signs and symptoms of child abuse. In order to identify and vet these…
Screening & Hiring
Finding and retaining a qualified and diverse workforce is one of the greatest challenges for youth-serving organizations like yours. Given the…
Training
Parents and other caregivers need to receive, at a minimum, the same level of prevention education as their child/youth. Parents can be strong…
Code of Conduct
Every YSO has certain risks associated with its activities, functions, and responsibilities—and thinking about those risks is an important part of…
Safe Environments
Your youth-serving organization may provide transportation to children and youth—either on a regular or occasional basis. If you’re a larger…
Reporting
You can help protect the children you serve by maintaining an environment that prioritizes both preventing child abuse before it occurs and—since…
Reporting
Effective reporting structures rely on staff and volunteers’ recognition of signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect. The Youth-Serving…
Customized child sexual abuse prevention guidelines to meet the unique needs of any organization that serves children.
Safe Kids Thrive is managed by the Children's Trust of Massachusetts
Learning Center Registration
Sign up for an account and start your learning experience.
Free Online Assessment
Let us help you find out where to start.