Background Checking Volunteers

Creating a safe environment is one of the key aspects of running and maintaining an awesome Dojo. Considering how to safeguard the young people in your Dojo is a crucial element of creating that safe environment. While legislation and expectations can vary from country to country, there are some best practice measures a Dojo can take such as safe recruitment of volunteers and setting a code of good practice for volunteers which will safeguard young people from harm.

As all Dojos are free of charge for attendees (in accordance with the CoderDojo Charter of Ethics) and all volunteers are unpaid it is understandable that there are limited resources available. If background checking is costly in your region we recommend reaching out to an organisation in your area who may be interested in supporting the cost of background checking for your Dojo's voluntee

Whether you can or cannot background check your mentors please ensure you take other steps to recruit volunteers safely such as by asking for and checking non-family referees.

If you have knowledge on Best Practice and/or Child Protection legislation in your region and have created documents which would be of use to other Dojos in your area which is not covered below, please let us know on info@coderdojo.com.

Background Checking in Ireland

Background Checking in the United Kingdom

Background Checking in the USA