Background Check Guide. What is a Background Check? How Do I Request One? by Keith Leong, Care.com contributing writer

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1 Background Check Guide What is a Background Check? How Do I Request One? by Keith Leong, Care.com contributing writer Child Care Senior Care Special Needs Care Tutoring Housekeeping Pet Care

2 What Is A Background Check? Not sure what s included in a background check? You ve come to the right place! The background on background checks Background checks at Care.com are searches through databases, registries and other sources. They re especially helpful when narrowing your list of potential candidates and when making a hiring decision because they can uncover potential warning signs about candidates. Whether you re looking for a babysitter, senior care provider or a dogwalker, a background check can help reveal things like criminal conduct or driving infractions. This guide will point out the differences between Preliminary background checks, Preferred Background Checks, Preferred+ Background Checks and Premier Background Checks. The importance of background checks Requesting background checks is a key step in finding the best care. In fact, almost 50% of Care.com Premium Members request a background check because it can reveal information that wouldn t come up during in-depth interviews or reference checking; however, it s important to understand that running a background check, while an important step, is only part of the process. When you re close to making a hiring decision or even before you invite someone to your home for an interview a background check can help you make a more informed decision about who to hire.

3 Care.com offers four types of background checks: Preliminary, Preferred, Preferred+ and Premier. What are the differences? Preliminary Background Checks Premium members can request unlimited free Preliminary Background Checks on Care.com. The Preliminary Background Checks should be used as an initial screening tool to help narrow your list of candidates. Once a caregiver accepts your Preliminary Background Check request, you get typically get results within 1 day. They can include the following: Social Security Number Verification National Criminal Database Search State Sex Offender Registries Search (all 50 states) Individual states and counties decide what information is included in the National Criminal Database. For instance, due to state regulations, Massachusetts only reports sex offense to the National Criminal Database. Click here to see what records are searched in your area. Because of the limited nature of this check, we recommend you order a Preferred, Preferred+, or Premier Background Check on your lead candidate before making your final hiring decision. Did you know? Premium Members get to request unlimited Preliminary Background Checks for free! Preferred Background Checks Preferred Background Checks are much more comprehensive. They involve verifying County and Federal Courthouse records, covering your prospective hire s last 7 years of address history, either in-person or via an online database (depending on local requirements). There is a fee to run these more thorough checks. Once a caregiver accepts your Preferred Background Check request, you typically get results within 1 to 3 days. Here s what you get with an Preferred Background Check: Everything included in a Preliminary background check In-person or online search of Federal Courthouse arrest and conviction records In-person or online search of County (or State) Courthouse arrest and conviction records Thanks to the additional investigating, Preferred Background Checks can uncover criminal records in jurisdictions that do not provide information to the National Criminal Records Database. Tip: You re only charged for an Preferred Background Check once you have access to the results. If a caregiver does not accept your request, you do not have to pay the fee.

4 Care.com offers four types of background checks: Preliminary, Preferred, Preferred+ and Premier. What are the differences? Preferred+ Background Checks Will your caregiver be driving your loved ones around? That might be the deciding factor when selecting how much background screening you need. The Preferred+ Background Check covers everything the Preliminary and Preferred checks do, with the addition of running a Motor Vehicle Records Search, which includes driver s license status and accident report. in the state the license was issued. This can let a family get a feel for the candidate s driving history, which can be especially important if the babysitter or nanny will be driving your children to school or playdates. There is a higher fee to run this very thorough check and it can take between 3 to 10 days after your candidate accepts your request. The results are available as soon as the caregiver gives permission to release them. Here s what you get with a Preferred+ Background Check: Everything included in a Preliminary Background Check Everything included in a Preferred Background Check Motor Vehicle Records Search Premier Background Checks The Premier Background Check is performed by PFC Information Services, Inc. and represents the Association of Professional Nanny Agencies (APNA) Recommended Practice for background checks. Unlike the Preliminary, Preferred, and Preferred+ checks, which are automated searches essentially untouched by human hands, the Premier Background Check is performed entirely offline, with PFC employees involved in each step of the process, from data entry, to analysis, to report preparation. PFC works with a network of research specialists who go directly to the source to pull the most up-to-date and complete information available. Here s what you get with a Premier Background Check: SSN Verification Sex Offender Search Driving Record Felony and Misdemeanor Checks* Bankruptcies, Liens, & Judgments US District Court Search *Felony and Misdemeanor Checks cover all names used by the Caregiver (i.e. aliases) and are performed in every jurisdiction the Caregiver has lived and worked in the last 7 years. The Premier Background Check is a more expensive check and can take between 3 to 5 days, after your candidate accepts your request. To complete to check, there are three forms that must be completed by the Family and Caregiver. Don t worry though, when you request a Premier Background Check a member of Care.com s Member Care team will give you a call and personally walk you through the process and answer any questions you have! Want simple step-by-step instructions on how to request a background check? Continue reading!

5 How Do I Request A Background Check? Background checks step-by-step We make requesting background checks as easy as they are important. Here s a quick walkthrough to help you in your caregiver search. 1. Pick a promising caregiver Post a job so qualified caregivers can come to you, or search caregivers for nearby help. Found some good candidates? It s time to run a Preliminary Background Check! 2. Go to the caregiver s profile page On the Safety & Verification Dashboard, click the Request link under Preliminary Check. Once the caregiver accepts your request, you ll receive a message with a link to the results. Caregivers typically respond promptly, though there can be occasional delays. Don t get a response within a week? Move on to another preferred candidate the unresponsive caregiver might not think you two are a good fit (it s not you, it s me). 3. Choose Preferred or Preliminary On the Safety & Verification Dashboard, click the orange Get Started button next to Ready to hire?, and determine which comprehensive check is right for you! For the Preferred and Preferred+, once the caregiver accepts your request, you ll receive a message with a link to the results. Caregivers typically respond promptly, though there can be occasional delays. Don t get a response within a week? Move on to another preferred candidate the unresponsive caregiver might not think you two are a good fit (it s not you, it s me). 4. Request existing background check (if available) If you ve requested a Premier Background Check a request is sent to the caregiver you have selected. Once the caregiver agrees to run the check, someone from our Member Care team will give you a call and walk you through the process and provide you with the three forms that must be completed and sent (mail or fax) to PFC. Once PFC completes the check (generally within 3-5 days) you will receive an with the results. Tip: Even if someone has a Preliminary background check on file, you can still request an Preferred one for a more thorough search. Now that you know how background checks work, why not have them work for you? Request one for a caregiver you re considering.