A Vulnerable Sector Screening (VSS) is a background check for individuals seeking employment, volunteer or placement opportunities working with vulnerable people. The majority of placements in the FSCS require students to have police clearance via completion of a VSS. While the VSS is valid for one year, the majority of placement employers require that the application of the screening is done no more than 6 (six) months before the start of placement.
Every student is required to provide the College with their proof of application for a VSS before the deadline for that semester as listed on Blackboard and in the program specific Field Experience Guide. Students who do not provide proof of application for a VSS may not be able to enter the field until the application requirements have been satisfied. The Placement Employer reserves the right to request the results of the VSS application from the student and may end or rescind the placement should the information not be available or have changed.
In cases where the RCMP requests fingerprinting, it is the students’ responsibility to complete these steps so as not to delay VSS results.
Students with no police record will receive a “clearance letter” from the police that is to be presented to the Placement Employer. Students with activity recorded by the police will receive information on charges, convictions and warrants associated with them. It is up to the discretion of the Placement Employer whether or not to host students with a police record.
The Ministry of Labour’s online Health and Safety Certification is an awareness training program intended to increase students’ knowledge of basic rights and responsibilities under the Ontario Health and Safety Act and heighten awareness of basic workplace health and safety issues. Placement Employers and students share in the responsibility for occupational health and safety. All students must provide proof of this completed training to the College by the date set out in the program specific Field Experience Guide. Placement Employers may request to have the printed certification before the start of placement.
For the health and safety of students and vulnerable clients in the field, it is important that students are up to date with vaccinations and medical screening. The Immunization Clearance Card is assigned by the Humber Health Centre once the student has provided documentation that they have been tested and immunized for variety of common childhood and adult illnesses, viruses and bacteria. Many FSCS Placement Employers require that students present their Immunization Clearance Card in order to proceed with placement. Students should obtain and maintain a valid Immunization Clearance Card throughout their entire program. Students who do not take steps to receive the card will be required to sign the Immunization Clearance Card Waiver in order to proceed with placement. It is up to the discretion of the Placement Employer whether or not to host students without an Immunization Clearance Card.
In some cases, a Placement Employer may require that students have certain vaccinations, training or certifications beyond what the FSCS prepares students for; these requirements may have additional costs for the student. It is the responsibility of the student to insure that they inquire with the agency and meet those standards in order to continue with placement. When possible, the FSCS will notify the student of any additional requirements. The agency reserves the right to rescind an offer of placement if the student does meet the requirements; this may result in delaying placement and/or graduation.