Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC) 🛡️

All students are required to complete a Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC)  before attending Field Placement. This ensures the safety of community members, staff, and students, and meets agency and ministry safety requirements. This is a non-negotiable requirement.

Deadline: Must be completed and submitted to the agency before you begin Field Placement.

Why It’s Required

• To work with vulnerable populations (e.g., individuals experiencing mental health and/or substance use challenges).

• To meet agency and ministry safety standards.

• To protect students, staff, and community members in placement settings.

Important Timing & Cost Notes

• The second step in the matching process requires students’ VSC / Police Reference Check form to be submitted to the designated police department based on your geographic region.

• Due to police administrative processes, it can take up to 4 months to obtain results.

• VSC forms must be submitted 4 months before your placement start date to avoid delays.

• Cost: $20 in Toronto; costs vary outside Toronto. Students are responsible for the fee.

• Some students (randomly selected) may be required to undergo fingerprinting. This incurs additional fees and can take up to 120 days.

• If you know or suspect any factor that may affect your police clearance, notify your Field Placement Coordinator in confidence immediately.

• Note: A student who does not successfully receive police clearance cannot be guaranteed eligibility for Field Placement, but the Coordinator will attempt to find an appropriate match.

Step 1: Receive the VSC Package

• Your Field Placement Coordinator will email a detailed VSC Package with step-by-step instructions.

• Important: Read carefully. Failure to follow instructions can result in your VSC being returned, delaying processing and your placement start date.

Step 2: Gather Required Information

Addresses (Past 4 Years):

• Provide the full address of every place you have lived in the past 4 years, including outside Canada.

• Include move-in and move-out dates for each address.

• Do not wait until the last minute to retrieve this information—be proactive and gather it ahead of time.

• If you have lived in only one place, provide the full address:

  • Example: 123 Maple Street, Scarborough, ON, M1X 2Y3, Canada (Jan 2021 – Present)

• If you have lived in multiple places, list each one with full details, including move-in and move-out dates:

  • Example:

    • 123 Maple Street, Scarborough, ON, M1X 2Y3, Canada (Jan 2021 – Present)

    • 45 MG Road, Mumbai, 400001, India (May 2019 – Dec 2020)

• Ensure all information is accurate and complete, including postal codes, city/province, and country.

Valid Government-Issued ID:

• Passport

• Driver’s License

• Permanent Resident Card

• Note: Centennial Student ID and Health Cards do not count as valid ID.

Other Documents:

• Proof of current address (if not on ID)

• Completed agency request or letter (if required by your police service)

Step 3: Determine Your Local Police Service

• Toronto Residents: Toronto Police Service

• Peel Residents (Brampton, Mississauga, Caledon): Peel Regional Police

• Durham Residents (Ajax, Whitby, Oshawa, etc.): Durham Regional Police

• Each region may have slightly different procedures, so follow the instructions in the VSC Package carefully.

Step 4: Fingerprints (If Required)

• Some students may be asked for fingerprints, especially if they have lived outside Ontario or Canada in the past 5–10 years.

• Being asked for fingerprints does not necessarily mean you have something on your record; it can be a standard or random process.

• Fingerprints confirm identity and allow the police to check for past criminal records.

• This may take additional processing time—plan ahead to ensure completion before your placement start date.

• Do not panic if fingerprints are requested.

Step 5: Submit Your VSC

• Once you receive your completed VSC from the police, submit it directly to your Agency Field Supervisor.

• Do not submit it to Centennial College or your Field Placement Coordinator.

• Confirm the agency has received your VSC before your first day of placement.

Step 6: Fees

• Cost: $20 in Toronto; costs vary outside Toronto. Students are responsible for the fee.

• Fees vary by region

Step 7: If You Have Something on Your Record

• Do not panic.

• Contact your Field Placement Coordinator immediately.

• Guidance will be provided, and eligibility will be assessed with the agency.

Key Points to Remember

• Must be completed before the first day of Field Placement.

• Fingerprints may sometimes be required—allow extra processing time.

• Certain agencies require VSCs to be renewed if older than 6–12 months.

• Incomplete or missing VSCs may prevent attendance at your placement site.

• Plan ahead—start the process early to ensure clearance before your placement begins.

• Be proactive in gathering all previous addresses, move-in/move-out dates, and required documents—do not wait until the last minute.

Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC) – Student Checklist ✅

Step 0: Prepare Ahead
☐ Read the VSC Package email carefully once received.
☐ Gather all information and documents before starting the application.

Step 1: Addresses (Past 5 Years)
☐ List every place you have lived, including outside Canada.
☐ Include full address, move-in date, move-out date.

Examples:

• Single address: 123 Maple Street, Scarborough, ON, M1X 2Y3, Canada (Jan 2021 – Present)

• Multiple addresses:
  123 Maple Street, Scarborough, ON, M1X 2Y3, Canada (Jan 2021 – Present)
  45 MG Road, Mumbai, 400001, India (May 2019 – Dec 2020)

☐ Be proactive—do not wait until the last minute.

Step 2: Valid Government-Issued ID
☐ Passport
☐ Driver’s License
☐ Permanent Resident Card
Note: Centennial Student ID and Health Cards do not count.

Step 3: Proof of Current Address
☐ Utility bill, bank statement, or official mail showing current address.

Step 4: Agency Documents
☐ Completed agency request or letter (if required).
☐ Keep a copy for your records.

Step 5: Fingerprints (If Required)
☐ Some students may be asked for fingerprints (random/standard process).
☐ Plan for additional cost and processing time if required.

Step 6: Fees
☐Pay fees

☐ Plan for additional cost  if required.

Step 7: Follow-Up / Issues
☐ If something is on your record, contact the Field Placement Coordinator.
☐ Guidance and placement eligibility will be assessed.

Step 8: Double-Check Completion
☐ Ensure all information is accurate and complete.
☐ Review all sections before submission.
☐ Confirm all addresses, IDs, and required documents are ready.
☐ Keep a copy of everything submitted for your records.

Step 9: Submit Your VSC
☐ Once you receive your completed VSC from the police, submit it directly to your Agency Field Supervisor.