By now most agencies know that starting a year ago changes were made to the BC Criminal Records Review Act. The Ministry of Public Safety & Solicitor General’s Criminal Records Review Program (CRRP) has expanded their existing program that protects children from physical and sexual abuse to also help protect “vulnerable adults” from physical, sexual and financial abuse.
This is part one of a two part blog entry that will hopefully help to clarify the changes that have been made. We are dealing with policies from different areas of government. Some of this information is not in unison and quite challenging to navigate through. The answers to the following ‘frequently asked questions” will hopefully be helpful.
I am not sure if my volunteers are affected.
Agencies that are affected are those who are regulated by either BC’s Community Care and Assisted Living Act or Hospital Act. Examples of organizations that are affected (but not limited to): Community Care Facilities, Residential Care Facilities, Assisted Living Residences, private hospitals, home support agencies and adult day programs.
Our facility is regulated by the Hospital Act but I cannot find much information pertaining to volunteers-perhaps my volunteers are exempt?
The language of both of the Acts considers a volunteer to be the same as an employee. This is really important.
In the past, volunteers have always had their criminal record checks done for free-has that changed?
The new Criminal Record Check costs $20.00 for everyone. The organization has to decide who will pay-the volunteer or the agency. Naturally this has been a devastating blow to organizations that are already stretched beyond their means financially and now have to consider paying for their volunteers to have this review process.
I have volunteers that have been with this organization for years- they have been properly screened and have never been a problem-I don’t think that it’s necessary.
This new process is legally required, even for volunteers who have been “grandfathered in.” The new process (CRRP) will have to be renewed every five years.
As agencies we have always practiced due diligence when screening volunteers. In the past, we have used a RCMP or local police check as part of our screening process-do we need to use both now?
No you don’t need to use both. Only volunteers who are legally required are allowed to be screened through this process. Some volunteer roles are not covered under the CRRP-for example, coaches of sports teams. These volunteers can still be screened by the RCMP or local police.
It’s all the same information anyway- a criminal record is a criminal record.
Well- it’s complicated. The new Criminal Record Check looks for convictions or outstanding charges on a series of relative offenses specific to whether the volunteer will be engaged with children or adults. Police record checks list convictions, charges and any negative contact with police-whether or not charges were laid.
When does this have to be done by?
The 12 month phase in program started in January 2011 with long term care and extended care facilities. The deadline for practicum students is January 1, 2012. January 30, 2012 is the final date for employees (remember in the Act’s language, this term includes volunteers) of mental health and substance abuse facilities.
Part 2 of this topic (to be posted early next week) will look at the screening process and it’s implications.