Student Protection Policy and Procedures

Student Protection Policy and Procedures

In 2019, the Government passed amendments to the Education Act to strengthen measures related to student safety and protection. To support this legislation, the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development made amendments to the Ministerial Education Act Regulations and released the new Provincial Student Protection Policy and supporting Procedures documents.

Together with the legislation, these documents:
 

  • require a Vulnerable Sector Check (which includes a Criminal Record Check) and Child Abuse Registry Check as a precondition of employment for persons working with students;
     
  • require Regional Centres for Education (RCEs)/CSAP to collect Criminal Records Checks from employees every five years;
     
  • require RCEs/CSAP to collect annual declarations from their employees reporting any new convictions on their criminal record; and
     
  • formalize the duty for an employee to immediately report to their employer if they have been charged with a criminal offence.

In 2021-22, all staff of the HRCE were required to submit an annual offence declaration. Since it was the first time a declaration had been completed, staff were required to report any convictions on their criminal record. In this third year of implementation, all staff are required to again submit an annual offence declaration. Those staff who submitted one last year are required to only declare any new convictions on their criminal record since their last annual declaration was submitted. Staff who are new to the HRCE who did not complete a declaration last year are required to complete a declaration reporting any convictions on their criminal record. 

You will complete your annual declaration through SAP Employee Self-Service (ESS) using the same log in information as your pay advices and other ESS functions. Below you will find detailed instructions on the completion of your employee declaration. You are required to complete the declaration by December 29, 2023.

Pursuant to the Provincial Student Protection Policy and Procedures, employees are required to update their Criminal Record Check (CRC) every five years. HRCE has contracted Mintz Global Screening to complete Criminal Records Checks through a third-party online process. You can find more information in the links below. If you are required to complete Criminal Record Checks this year, you will be contacted by Human Resources with further instructions.

The HRCE recognizes the importance of maintaining employee confidentiality and privacy. Only Human Resource Services staff or the Regional Executive Director or designate will have access to the information submitted. All records collected will be retained and stored in a confidential and secured location. If you have any issues logging into ESS, or if you have questions or concerns about any of these processes, please contact studentprotection@hrce.ca or call 902-464-2000 ext. 2230.

Employee Self Service (ESS) Login Instructions