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Guide for Sitters Performing a Background Check |
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In the same way that it is important for parents to check out the people charged with caring for their children, it is equally important for sitters to do the same checks on the parents. Sitters must take steps to avoid working for people who "seemed nice" but turned out to have criminal records or other sources of serious concern. Conducting a thorough background check on a potential parent (employer) can be cumbersome, but a wealth of good advice on the topic is readily available, as well as experts who can help.
Keep in mind that no matter how you locate babysitting jobs, you as the sitter bare sole responsibility for evaluating any prospective job before accepting the job with a family.
Checking References
Whether or not you enlist the help of an agency in investigating an employer's background, checking with others that have provided childcare for the family is something you can and should do yourself. The purpose of checking references is to verify any information you've received about a potential employer and to confirm the initial impression you formed based on your interview. The following are questions you might consider asking references:
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How long did you care for the parent's children and what were the kids' ages? |
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How did you find the family? |
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What were your specific duties? Did you consider any of the responsibilities expected of you unreasonable? |
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How would you describe your overall impression of the family? |
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Did the parent pay as agreed? |
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Did the parent arrive home on time or call if running late? |
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Why did you stop working for the parent? |
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Would you work for this family again? |
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Is there anything else you think I should know? |
Since parents usually provide their own references, they're likely to choose those who will portray them in the best possible light. Therefore, you should pay close attention to what the references don't say, as well as what they do say. If a reference you talk with appears to be cautious or unenthusiastic in describing the family, you might want to reconsider your choice. Assure references you speak with that the conversation is confidential and encourage them to be completely candid in their remarks. Ask for specific examples whenever possible.
Be sure to take into consideration the credibility of each reference. For example, the comments of a friend or family member are less valuable than those of someone who has actually cared for the family's children. When you speak with references, you can ask if they know of any other sitters that cared for the family's children, and then contact those people. These are known as "developed references" and can sometimes yield important information.
It is a good idea to take careful notes, rather than relying on your memory. Conversations may tend to blur together after talking to several people, and putting your thoughts and impressions on paper will give you something to refer to later when making your decision.
Additional Background Checks
While interviewing and checking references are essential, some people want to get even more information, especially if they are looking to care for a parent's child on a regular basis. Criminal record and other background checks are becoming increasingly popular as a way to verify information and to uncover anything critical that might have been left out.
Keep in mind that you will need to obtain written permission for a background check. If the parent is reluctant to cooperate, that may be a sign that he or she has something to hide.
Background checks can provide a variety of data, from criminal records and marriage records to lawsuits and bankruptcies. You can find out where someone has lived and other names that have been used. What information you search for will depend on your needs.
Criminal Record
A thorough investigation into whether an employer might have a criminal record can be a complex and arduous process and may be difficult to complete on your own. For example, a search for criminal records in your local area wouldn't reveal an employer's record in another state. As a result, a variety of areas often must be searched individually, and the process can be complicated.
Contrary to what many disreputable background search firms claim, there is no way to do a national criminal records check. Only the FBI maintains a national database, called the National Crime Information Center (NCIC), which is not public record and is only available to law enforcement and other criminal justice agencies. While some firms advertise national commercial database searches, these investigations often rely on data that is sorely incomplete or inaccurate. In a recent interview with MSNBC.com, Rhonda Taylor echoed this concern. Taylor, who heads a small background checking firm in Washington State, explains, "We've done tests, and the national databases have a 41 percent error rate." She points out that relying on such inadequate checks can produce a false sense of security.
Even state-wide criminal record checks are impossible in many areas. Those states that do maintain state-wide repositories may have a backlog of records, meaning that available data could be outdated; in addition, response times to inquiries are often notoriously slow. Therefore, any search for criminal records should be carried out on a county by county basis in the counties where an individual lived, worked, and went to school, as well as the surrounding counties.
While criminal records are available as part of the public record, the catch is that you have to visit the appropriate courthouse or state repository in person to obtain the records. This can make it difficult for you to complete a criminal background check without help, especially if you need to perform an out of state search. As a result, most people hire private background checking firms or use a number of online services (more information below). These companies have investigators all over the country who go to the courthouses on a daily basis to perform record searches.
Social Security Number (SSN)
A Social Security Number trace is often a recommended first step in a thorough background investigation, since it will reveal an individual's current and past addresses for the last 7 to 10 years, as well as any other names that have been used. This information tells you what jurisdictions should be checked for criminal records. A SSN trace can be used to verify what a babysitter has told you and will make it very difficult for a candidate to hide important information about possible criminal history.
DMV Records
Driving records can be a useful element in a comprehensive background check. Driving records can reveal a substance abuse problem if there are any DUI convictions on the record.
Credit Reports
The primary reason for performing a credit check would be to obtain address information and ensure that all the appropriate locations are being searched for criminal records. Credit reports may also contain information regarding former employment and any other names that have been used.
Background Checking Services
Given the complexities of obtaining a thorough background check, it can be very helpful to enlist a background checking firm. Usually run by private investigators, these organizations can obtain relevant information much more quickly and easily than an individual. Prices vary, depending on the type and volume of information required, but a thorough background investigation may cost $125 to $250. Make sure you use a reputable firm, one that is properly licensed or accredited and is compliant with all federal and state regulations.
A more convenient and cost-effective way to obtain these searches is to visit one of the many websites available online (see below). These sites typically charge anywhere from $25 to $120 for a comprehensive background check, but buyer beware: "cheaper" usually isn't better. Although there are dozens of sites that advertise criminal record searches and other background checks for "bargain" prices, these companies are usually selling an "instant" check of existing databases in which information is notably incomplete or out-of-date. These searches may produce no results, even if an individual has a criminal record. Some of these checks can be useful when used in conjunction with other more reliable searches.
You can also ask a parent to provide his or her own background check. A website called MyBackgroundCheck.com provides verification of an applicant's background at his or her request. For a fee, users receive certification.
Tips for Choosing a Reliable Background Check Website
There is no shortage of websites offering background checking services. However, there are a few important tips to keep in mind:
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Don't base your choice solely on price. The most inexpensive searches are based on databases that usually don't contain up-to-date and comprehensive information. |
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Look for a website that uses "freshly-retrieved" rather than "stored" data. Vendors who use databases of criminal records and other data must purchase this information periodically from the various jurisdictions, and the cost to them is increasing. As a result, stored data is usually anywhere from 3 to 24 months old. A parent could have been convicted of a serious crime during this time gap, and this information wouldn't turn up in the search. |
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Beware of companies that promise results "instantly" or within a matter of hours. A thorough criminal record check that includes hand-searches of courthouse records typically takes 3-7 days. Companies who produce results within hours are probably not using freshly retrieved data. |
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Don't rely on any website that fails to require a signed release from your prospective employer. |
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Make sure the company you choose states that they are "FCRA compliant." The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is the federal regulation that requires authorization in writing and the use of freshly retrieved data, as mentioned above. Most reputable background search firms and websites will provide you with the necessary releases and forms to assist you with this process. |
Tips for Choosing a Reliable Background Check Website
There are a host of websites available that offer a variety of services. The following is a short list of some you might want to explore, all of which are FCRA compliant:
Background Network, Inc.
http://www.crimcheck.com
The Integrity Center, Inc.
http://www.integctr.com
Intellichoice, Inc.
http://findoutnow.net
It is important that sitters use their best judgment in determining what type of background check is necessary. Obviously, if you're considering working for a neighbor that you or your parents have known for years, you most likely will not be doing an extensive criminal record search like some of those described above. In that case, a careful interview and check of references may be sufficient. On the other hand, if you are looking to work for someone you do not know, particularly for childcare on a regular basis, this may warrant a more extensive search. Only you can be the judge of what is necessary.
Experts are quick to point out that all background checks have some limitations, but any background check is better than none. Regardless of what type of inquiry you choose, your best resource in evaluating job is often your gut instinct. If for any reason you have a feeling that a parent is not trustworthy, it's better to err on the safe side. Get all the information you can, and trust your instincts.
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Next Up: Checklist for Working with a New Family |
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