Volunteers

Any volunteer in our school must obtain criminal record check clearance.

The Ministry of Justice has regulations requiring ANY volunteer who comes near or works around children to complete a criminal record check, regardless of the time spent working near or around them. This requirement involves a Criminal Record Search, valid for 5 years, which will include a Vulnerable Sector Search.  You must have criminal record check clearance in order to volunteer.

The reason for this is to ensure the safety of our students at all times regardless of a position or purpose. This means that all volunteers must obtain the same CRC clearance as employees.  If you are planning to volunteer on a field trip, in a classroom, in the library, handing out hot lunch, to read, or to help in any way you will require a criminal record check completed.  These will be valid for 5 years. If you have a CRC done already your organization can share it with the Abbotsford School District through the government process but you still must advise the school office before you go to the School Board office with your identification. 

How to Complete a Criminal Record Check:

First please complete the Volunteer Application, and Confidentiality Form, and submit to the school office. These must be returned to the school before you can obtain a Criminal Record Search.

Second please call the School Board office at 604 859-4891 and advise that you would like to volunteer with Prince Charles Elementary (any other schools) and require a criminal record check. You may or may not need to make an appointment. They will advise you to visit them at the Abbotsford School Board office at 2790 Tims Street and bring two pieces of ID (see below). They will request that you complete a form and will submit it to the CRRP for processing.

The School Board office will receive the results and will advise the individual school. Approval takes approximately 4 - 6 weeks.

Already have a criminal record check completed? The classroom teacher can check to see if you already have a CRC on file with the School District!  

If you already have a criminal record check through the CRRP (Criminal Records Review Program) which was completed within the past 5 years and has the same clearance to work with the same population, then you could request your organization share it with the school district.  

Following are steps to have your Criminal Record Search (CRS) shared with the School District:

  • - The CRS must have been done through the Ministry of Public Safety, specifically for Children and Vulnerable Adults (it cannot be not from the Police Department).
  •  - Call the School District Office at 604-859-4891 to make an appointment
  • - complete a ‘Sharing Consent Form’
  • - the district will ask the Ministry of Public Safety to share your CRS with the School District.
  • - it usually takes 10 business days to get these back

More information on sharing CRC’s can be found here : https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/crime-prevention/criminal-record-check/sharing-result