General Information if you are Considering a Program in Health Studies
Many of the programs within the School of Community and Health Studies include field or clinical placements or "practicums" with outside organizations such as schools, hospitals and long term care facilities. These placements involve direct contact with children under the 18 years old, the elderly, the disabled and other vulnerable persons receiving service from these organizations. It is common practice for organizations providing field placements to require students to present a satisfactory Police Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening (PRCVSS) before beginning their placement. Although it is not a requirement for admission to any program, students for whom this may be a concern are advised to verify whether the program they are interested is likely to involve such a check.
Because field and clinical placement components are unique to each program in the number of placements, timing within the program and nature of agencies involved, students need to be alert to this requirement once admitted to a program. Each program undertakes to provide students with the information they need with respect to when a PRCVSS will be needed for placement purposes. However, it is the responsibility of each student to arrange for their own PRCVSS on a timely basis as required by the program they are enrolled in.
Specific Instructions for Arranging a Police Records Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening
Note: The following information is provided for students who are actually registered in a program and who have been instructed to arrange for a Police Records Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening (PRCVSS) as required by their program.
In compliance with requests from our clinical placement partners, all Health Studies students who have a clinical placement component in their program are required to have their PRCVSS completed on a yearly basis. All PRCVSS must be done within the region where you live at local police departments. View the most Frequently Visited Police Stations and information specific to each police department. International students and new immigrants will go through the same application procedure at local police departments. Students who are unable to provide a clear PRCVSS may be unable to complete their field placement and, therefore, be unable to complete the program.
Note: Police check application forms for Metro Toronto police services (postal code starts typically with an "M"): The vulnerable sector police check can take up to 3-4 weeks or longer to process depending on findings and volume of applications. Please go to the link Toronto VSS Police Check and complete the online application process. Email Placement Requirements (placementrequirements@centennialcollege.ca) for the requested additional information that is required (e.g. Unique code, Clientele duties, etc.)
Students are responsible to arrange and pay for their PRCVSS. When you go to the police department in your region to apply, please make sure to specifically request a Police Records Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening and bring 2 pieces of ID (at least 1 photo ID). If you have any questions, please contact Kiruththiga Sures at 416-289-5000 ext. 1920