Screen Employees and Volunteers

אֵיזֶהוּ חָכָם? הָרוֹאֶה אֶת הַנּוֹלָד

Who is wise? One who foresees the future consequences of one’s acts. (Babylonian Talmud Tamid 32a)

Anchored in the Talmudic maxim describing a wise person as one who foresees the future consequences of their actions, this Best Practice will help your organization develop a level of proactive vision as a central component to welcoming new adults into your organization. Although your organization may already screen potential employees and volunteers, this Best Practice will help you incorporate the lens of youth safeguarding into the steps of your screening and hiring processes.

Please Note: This Best Practice provides information on how to maximize the effectiveness of screening for safeguarding youth. However, local and state laws related to the collection of screening information, its use for hiring decisions, and the storage and disposal of such information may impact when and how specific screening measures can be applied. We recommend that you also work closely with an attorney to ensure that your protocols are legally compliant.

Learn about the importance of screening and more commonly used screening methods.

Guide: Screening Overview

Understand screening through the lens of this critical question: “can we rely on this applicant to champion youth safeguarding?”

Identify the roles that require screening within your organization, and select your screening methods.

Guide: Screening Principles

Understand the minimum screening required for all individuals in your organization, and determine when to require additional screening.

Worksheet: Whom Should We Screen?

Brainstorm the categories of individuals who interact with your organization who may need screening.

Sample Screening Requirements

This sample spreadsheet offers recommendations to help your organization develop your screening plan. (more…)

Put your screening plan into action.

Guide: Written Materials

Recommended protocols for reviewing written materials, such as resumes and cover letters.

Guide: Interviews and References

Protocols, tips, and sample questions for conducting and standardizing interviews and reference checks.

Guide: Observations

Consider whether in-person applicant observations will yield valuable information for specific positions, and develop a list of questions to guide observers in their applicant observations.

Guide: Background Checks

Overview of background check types and considerations for implementing in your organization.

Training Videos: Simulated Interviews

Watch these 3 mock interviews with your hiring committee to practice identifying youth safeguarding concerns that may arise during interviews. (more…)

Companion Resources

Worksheet: Simulated Interviews

Use this handout to support your hiring committee in building their screening for safeguarding skills as you watch and discuss the simulated interviews.

1. Form a Youth Safeguarding Committee

2. Create Opportunities for Community Dialogue

3. Screen Employees & Volunteers

4. Assess Your Space

5. Implement Guidelines for Interacting with Youth

6. Train Adults in Safeguarding Practices

7. Support Victim Survivors

8. Protocols for Responding to Youth Maltreatment

9. Engage Youth in Safeguarding Efforts

10. Maintain & Evaluate your Youth Safeguarding Program

1. Form a Youth
Safety Committee

2. Create
Opportunities for Community Dialogue

3. Screen Employees
and Volunteers

4. Assess Your Space

5. Implement Guidelines for Interacting with Youth

6. Train Adults

7. Support
Victim-Survivors

8. Develop Protocols
for Responding

9. Empower Youth

10. Maintain &
Evaluate your Child
Safety Program