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Potential client has asked for a police check for both my husband and myself- not a problem because we have them. I consider it good practice to have this. They also want all a CAS check. Seriously? Anyone have this done before? how do you go about it? I personally don't like jumping through hoops to get a client....
I had a CAS check when I was a registered member of a non-profit provider group who gave out referrals. It was just a report that said that our family was not known to CAS.
I remember I just called them and asked for the check and I think I paid a small fee. Try phoning your local CAS to see if they will do this for you. I find it was an advantage to tell prospective clients that I had the documentation to show we were "CAS free"
I never herd of that before. My question would be if the CAS would do a check does that mean compliants too? I had a compliant on me before (i had nothing to do with the compliant. My neighbours trying to make trouble and called the whole row of houses but because CAS was called ththey had to investigate and open a file. I was horrified by this and quite upset about this. They closed the file right away because the worker clearly said this is just stupud for me being here. So if i need a check ever would that show when they do a check.
Have never heard of a request like that either for home daycare. Not sure if it is something that a daycare centre requires of their employees or not. Personally whether I have anything to hide or not I consider the source and to me this just shows the parents are nervous nellies and/or over suspicious. I know they have their child's best interests at heart but there is more to providing good care that has nothing to do with basically meaningless pieces of paper and anyone that puts their faith in that is a concern. I would probably suggest that since they appear to be very nervous about putting their child into home care that maybe they would prefer to consider a placement in a daycare centre where there are more adults and as such more accountability to each other.
Often once you start talking to a family in this way they either back down or break down and tell you what is really going on and what prompted them for the request. That is where giving them additional references from past clients, etc sometimes puts them at ease or speaking to one of your best clients to let them know their concerns and asking them address it specifically when they call them. When it comes client to prospective client rather than me to a client it helps the new parents a lot.
Until some of these checks are mandatory by law, I am not sure I would be letting prospective clients start to dictate what I will and won't do.
What is CAS? Here in MB, we have criminal record checks and child abuse checks that are mandatory for most jobs that involve working with children and vulnerable people. I know they are mandatory for dc centres but not sure if they are for licensed hdc's. I am a private hdc so I don't have to have them but have had parents ask for them. I explain that I have had them at previous jobs (I have always worked with children and vulnerable people at my healthcare job) and that they cost money to do them often. This always satisfies them. I also briefly worked with CFS (child family services) so this usually appeases the families.
Childrens Aid SocietyQuote:
Originally Posted by 5 Little Monkeys
thanks!!! I assume that is the same as our CFS.
Can't the client call their local CAS and ask if anything has been reported on the daycare? As a parent, I would be more likely to do this (If I was that concerned) rather then ask the daycare provider to supply something.
I think I might be cautious with a client asking for something out of the norm like this. They already feel high maintenance and not very trusting.
You could probably ask about any reports being made on the daycare, but I would think you would want to know about the provider and any history of violence, neglect/abuse in the home in their personal life.
I don't think this is an unusual request. Parents want to know that the home part of the daycare is also a safe nonviolent place during the off hours. I think a parent who requests this information is being responsible.
I know apples and bananas... I'm on the fence right now. I am short 2 spots right now in my daycare, so I'm kinda feeling a pinch financially. I really liked the child when we met, but I just don't know if I want another "high maintenance" family..... Thing is she has a background working with CAS.... She herself claims "mama bear" syndrome....
in a way I kinda take it personally that someone wants me to do this....
Not that I have anything to hide but I would not want to take on a family that had that many requests. Seems like a very high maintenance family and would not be worth the stress to take them on, regardless of the financial strain at the moment.
I have my Criminal Reference Check which I get yearly (can claim the cost) and that IMO should cover all the parents concerns.
In the words of Judy... NEXT!!!
FunnyFarm what if you sort of played hardball with them and took a stand/line in the sand. Do you think in the end they would back down or did you get the feeling the family is looking for someone they can control anyways?
Good question Playfelt. :) I emailed them earlier and said my police clearance should be sufficient. I hope to talk on the phone with them later today... I think I'm going to keep my foot down on this client. unsure if I want the hassle and I don't want to be pushed around. :) If they don't like it, that's tough.
I worked for cas. They would not release any info over the phone. They usually do these checks for free, you fill out a form at the office. there would be no detail on it, they just check a box that says yes there are reports you caused harm to a child or were investigated, or no there is no history of any investigations.
Also, it wouldn't tell them if anyone has ever made a report on you just only if ever concerns have been investigated and confirmed.
I feel that if I were to say a flat out no to a request like that, that it would raise red flags for the family and word of mouth travels fast!!
I know for me, if I were the parent and the provider said no, it would concern me and wonder why they said no. So I guess if I were to say no, I would also offer an explanation of why I am not open to doing it.
Edited...I think about it this way. If something were to happen to my child in a hdc I wouldn't want to find out later that if I had investigated further I would have seen that this hdcp may have had a report of abuse. I'm not saying that any of you have reports of abuse but we all know that there are some hdcp's that shouldn't be providing care :( I don't find it as a parent being high maintenance but rather one who is protecting their child. Wouldn't you do the same?
I've always just provided these, they are usually free to have done and are required if you work with an agency. I'd have my dhp do one. Most of the time parents or caregivers who have been involved with cas have no criminal record.
I just reread the thread and noticed the post about how the mom works with cas. I can tell you from experience as a former child protection worker you think the worst of absolutely everyone until proven otherwise, and can get pretty jaded and thinking that everyone lies :-) there is a reason i don't work there now that i have my own kids. The constant negative surroundings start to warp your view on the world, unfortunately
I get it for new providers with no history but is this not where being able to give references back many years also proves no charges because once the investigation was done then for sure the daycare parents at the time would have found out, been told/warned, questioned by CAS as to the charges. Also how far back would a CAS check go? I know the police check doesn't go back very far which is one of the reasons they expect you to renew it often.
The cas check goes back as far as you have ever had children in your care, so if you are now a grandmother doing childcare go all the way back to when you were raising your own children. I agree it always isn't the best indicator of whether or not you've ever harmed a child, since it doesn't show if you've ever been reported on only if you been investigated and concerns have been confirmed. however I can totally understand where this mom is likely coming from, especially if this is her first child and the first time she leaving her child in the care of another isn't related. references are generally the better way to go since your parents see you everyday and really have a better idea of who you are and the care you actually provide to children. I would see it as just a personal preference for Mom based on her background working in the field, not necessarily a reflection on you as a person
Thank you for adding your perspective eoinsmom :) I appreciate it.
honestly I think I've gone a little bit crazy working there, I still have trouble leaving my son at a friends house and he's never had a sleepover anywhere other than with family, because I generally think the worst of people for that they may have someone over that I don't know that could be bad..... its a terrible place to work
Eoinsmom I just have to say that anyone who works or who has worked for CAS has my complete admiration and respect for doing such a difficult job. I cannot (or perhaps I don't bare to) imagine what horrible circumstances children have been found in. We hear about it on the news so much and that is why I completely understand this request from a parent. I wouldn't take it personal as they don't know you well enough to make it personal.