Hiring Staff and Screening Key Volunteers
Clubs are responsible for hiring and supervising their own coaches and staff and managing their own volunteers. Clubs must screen coaches according to the Screening Policy.
This includes:
- Appendix B of the Screening Policy: SafeSport Application Form
- Appendix C of the Screening Policy: Screening Disclosure Form
- An EPIC (Police Information Check)
- A Vulnerable Sector Check
- A Driver’s Abstract
- One character reference
- One reference from a sporting organization
Before agreeing to hire a coach, clubs should also complete the following:
- Social media and Google search
- Past employment reference checks, including all employers in the last five years
- Verification of the coach training claimed on the resume (your Division office can verify coach training for you)
The club should carefully evaluate the information gathered as part of making a final decision to hire a coach. The screening process should be completed before the employee is hired.
Employment agreements should make SafeSport policy compliance a condition of ongoing employment.
As an employer, you are responsible for developing your coach’s skills, including providing professional development opportunities and collecting and providing feedback to your coach. This helps make sure staff is aligned with the club’s values and best practices. Athlete feedback is an important component of coach evaluations.