Vulnerable Sector Check

A Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC) is a police information check plus a check for record suspensions (pardons) for sexual offences.

It is requested when the position, not the person, is one of trust or authority over children under 18 or vulnerable persons. The local police service where the applicant lives runs it. In British Columbia, the British Columbia Criminal Records Review Program is the usual route. Police must not run a VSC if the position does not meet the Criminal Records Act test.

There is no single national “background check.” Prefer police record check for the broader category, and VSC where the role qualifies. The hiring organisation decides whether to request one and how often to repeat it. Ontario has no statutory duty on charities to run VSCs; the Police Records Check Reform Act governs how checks are done. VSCs remain industry standard and are often an insurer condition.

Zelos does not run police record checks and does not gate signups when a check lapses. The coordinator still decides who is cleared.

Also called: DBS check (UK), background check (US), Working with Children Check / Blue Card (Australia). Related: DBS check.