Volunteers
Volunteers make a difference!
We value the many roles that volunteers play in our school.
Parents, guardians, family members and community members who give of their time provide students with enriched learning experiences. As a volunteer, you will also discover the many rewards of helping students achieve their personal best.
Registered volunteers are responsible for:
● undergoing a screening process, at the request of the principal, that could include a:
– volunteer application form (optional);
– reference check (optional);
– Child Abuse Register Search (required); and,
– Vulnerable Sector Check or Criminal Records Check (required).
● costs, as requested, that are associated with providing the required background checks
● completing any other processes and forms as required by RCE or CSAP policies
● immediately disclosing any charge or conviction for a criminal offence to the school principal
● acting within the scope of their duties as a volunteer with the RCE/CSAP and carrying out only
those duties that have been assigned and approved by the principal and/or employee liaison to
maintain accident and liability coverage under the School Insurance Program (SIP)
5 Volunteer Background Check Policy
● adhering to any other regional or provincial policies related to their interactions with students
(School Transportation Policy, Extracurricular Activity Supervision Policy, Provincial School Code of
Conduct Policy, etc.)
● reporting any problems with student behaviour to the employee liaison of the RCE/CSAP or principal
● notifying the principal or employee liaison of the RCE/CSAP when an illness or other circumstance
prevents the volunteer from reporting to the school for volunteer duties
● respecting confidentiality of school matters
Provincial Volunteer Background Check Policy Sept 2022
Volunteers perform many different tasks in our school. Some of the more common experiences include:
Field trips
Fundraising
Special events
Classroom support
Library support
'Pizza Fridays'
Reading programs
Special Projects
Committees
Chaperoning
Student safety is paramount
We recognize our responsibility to ensure that all students attending our schools are protected by taking reasonable precautions to screen volunteers who may be working with students without direct supervision of staff. In accordance with HRCE’s Student Protection Policy, prior to volunteering with the Halifax Regional School Board, all volunteers will provide:
The Department of Community Services has advised that Child Abuse Register Searches can now be requested online, at the following link: https://beta.novascotia.ca/apply-child-abuse-register-search. They will continue to accept paper applications via mail as well. In either case (submitted online or by mail), the confirmation letter will continue to be mailed to the applicant via regular mail.
A certified and true copy of a Criminal Records Check with Vulnerable Sector Check available here, from your local Police or RCMP detachment or through online organizations endorsed by Nova Scotia law enforcement agencies. Criminal Records Checks can also be done through mybackcheck. Please contact the main office - cds@hrce.ca to request an invitation.
Please note: the Child Abuse Register Search and Criminal Records Check must be issued in the three months preceding volunteering and updated every three years.
