Even licensed professionals are accustomed to routinely going through background checks as standard practice. For a season, I volunteered on a we
Even licensed professionals are accustomed to routinely going through background checks as standard practice.
For a season, I volunteered on a well-known national online crisis hotline. By that time I had been working with victims of abuse and violence from toddlers to seniors in their golden years. I had local, regional, statewide, and national experience. One or two phone calls would have verified it. Nevertheless, I went through a background check partially because I communicated with children.
In talking with one of my dear friends who is a licensed clinical social worker who supervises other social workers, he shared that background checks are standard practice for him as well. He would not want any other way. People who genuinely care about children want to do whatever it takes to see to their safety.
When it comes to children’s safety, there is no such thing as being too careful.
If someone wants to work with children, teach children, mentor children, coach children, or even present to children, they must undergo a proper background check.
This is not about personal feelings, trust, or good intentions—this is standard practice.
Even licensed therapists, teachers, social workers, and advocates are required to go through background checks. No one should be insulted by this. In fact, the only people who argue against thorough vetting are often the ones with something to hide.
Essential Background Check Questions
1. Does this person have a criminal record involving violence, abuse, or exploitation?
- Any history of harm against children, domestic violence, or sexual offenses must be taken seriously. Even a single case is one too many.
2. Have they ever been investigated for child abuse or neglect?
- Even if there was no conviction, patterns of concern must not be ignored. People often avoid legal consequences for technical reasons, not because they are innocent.
3. Are they registered on any sex offender or child abuse registries?
- Many predators re-enter society looking for ways to regain access to children. Always check these lists.
4. Have they ever had a professional license revoked or been disciplined?
- Teachers, religious leaders, youth mentors, and childcare workers should have clean professional records.
5. Do they have a history of inappropriate relationships with minors?
- Some people target teens just below the legal age of consent. Just because it wasn’t a “crime” in the legal sense does not mean it was appropriate.
6. Have they ever been fired or removed from a position for misconduct?
- If someone has been dismissed for inappropriate behavior toward children, that is a red flag that cannot be ignored.
7. Are there consistent gaps or inconsistencies in their history?
- Be wary of people who change locations frequently, avoid questions about past employment, or cannot provide references from previous jobs working with children.
Why This Matters
Predators look for loopholes. They expect people to trust them just because they are friendly, charismatic, or well-spoken. They assume no one will dig deeper.
We owe it to children to be thorough, to ask hard questions, and to never let fear of “offending” an adult override the responsibility to protect young people.
No exceptions. No shortcuts. No excuses.
If someone refuses a background check, that is your answer.
Would you like me to add any specific details or expand on certain areas?
Protecting Our Children: Essential Questions for Background on Adults Working with Children
Mujey Dumbuya: When Schools Should Be Safe Havens, Not Danger Zones
Spotting the Red Flags: Early Warning Signs of Manipulative and Abusive …
Familiar Faces, Hidden Dangers: Teaching Kids to Trust Wisely (audio/podcast)
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