Issued: 2006 03

Social Justice and Peace Studies: Records Check and Vulnerable Sector Screening
The Social Justice and Peace Studies program at King’s University College at The University of Western Ontario does not require a Criminal Records Check or other screening procedure (e.g., Vulnerable Sector Screening {VSS}) as a condition of admission into its programs. However, prospective students should be aware that a criminal record check or VSS may be required by other facilities used for practicum placements, or experiences related to an academic course assignment. It is the student’s responsibility to have the necessary procedure completed. In some programs, students will not be permitted access to such courses without having completed this requirement.

Students will share VSS or other record check information directly with the facility or agency for which they have been assigned a placement and may, if they wish, disclose the results to their Program Coordinator. Students unable to complete a placement requirement because they are unable to meet a facility’s requirement for such a screening, or because a facility refuses to accept them on the basis of the information contained in the record check or other screening procedure, will not be eligible for progression or graduation. Those students registered in an internship placement, clinical practice placement or co-op as a course requirement may not be able to pass the course if they have not met an agency’s requirement, or if the agency refuses to accept them on the basis of the information contained in the record check or other screening procedure. Students should check with their Program Coordinator for details as to the policy on course access and to the time frame within which a screening must be completed.

Social Work Practicum
Assignments to Practica will be determined by the Coordinator of Field Instruction following consultation with students. Students should be aware that there may be financial costs (such as parking, transportation, manual and insurance) and special agency requirements (such as police checks and health requirements) associated with the Practicum. A car may be needed for some community-based placements.

Neither The University of Western Ontario nor King’s University College requires a Criminal Records Check or other screening procedure (e.g., Vulnerable Sector Screen [VSS]) as a condition of admission into the Bachelor of Social Work (Honors) program. However, prospective students should be aware that a criminal records check or VSS may be required by other facilities used for field placements or experiences related to an academic course assignment. In such cases, it is the student’s responsibility to have the necessary procedure completed. Students will not be permitted access to such courses without having completed this requirement.

Students will share VSS or other record check information directly with the facility or agency to which they have been assigned a placement and may, if they wish, disclose results to the School of Social Work. Students unable to complete a Practicum because they are unable to meet a facility’s requirement for such a screening, or because a facility refuses to accept them on the basis of the information contained in the record check or other screening procedure, will not be eligible for progression or graduation. Students enrolled in a Practicum may not be able to pass the course if they have not met an agency’s requirement, or if the agency refuses to accept them on the basis of the information contained in the record check or other screening procedure. Students should check with the School of Social Work for details regarding course access and the time frame within which a screening must be completed.

Thanatology: Records Check and Vulnerable Sector Screening
The Thanatology program at King’s University College at The University of Western Ontario does not require a Criminal Records Check or other screening procedure (e.g., Vulnerable Sector Screening {VSS}) as a condition of admission into its program. However, prospective students should be aware that a criminal record check or VSS may be required by other facilities used for clinical or practicum placements, or experiences related to an academic course assignment. It is the student’s responsibility to have the necessary procedure completed. In some programs, students will not be permitted access to such courses without having completed this requirement.

Students will share VSS or other record check information directly with the facility or agency for which they have been assigned a placement and may, if they wish, disclose the results to their Program Coordinator/King’s University College. Students unable to complete a placement requirement because they are unable to meet a facility’s requirement for such a screening, or because a facility refuses to accept them on the basis of the information contained in the record check or other screening procedure, will not be eligible for progression or graduation. Those students registered in a placement as a course requirement may not be able to pass the course if they have not met an agency’s requirement, or if the agency refuses to accept them on the basis of the information contained in the record check or other screening procedure. Students should check with their Program Coordinator for details as to the policy on course access and to the time frame within which a screening must be completed.