Protection of Minors Policy
The BU Protection of Minors policy, “POM,” is a university-wide mandate to ensure the safety and well-being of all minors in BU-sponsored programs and activities.
- POM applies to all BU students who may have unsupervised contact with minors* in BU-sponsored programs and activities.
- All BUSSW students are required to complete the POM Online Training regardless of placement populations.
- Read this webpage to familiarize yourself with POM requirements and frequently asked questions.
*BU defines “minor” as any person under the age of 18, not a BU or BU Academy student, and unaccompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Note that a person under the age of 18 who is participating in BU Institutional Review Board-approved research is not a minor under this policy.
Requirements
POM has two requirements:
- POM Online Training: One-time trainings on signs of child neglect and abuse. You will receive a training certificate upon completion.
- POM Verification Form: Proof that you are in compliance with the site’s background check policy and are eligible for fieldwork.
Important Notes
- The POM Verification Form needs to be signed by the site AFTER you complete all required site checks and are cleared to begin practicum.
- Only this form (signed by the site) will be accepted.
- Incorrect forms will be marked Incomplete.
- Blank forms will be marked Incomplete.
- This form needs to be completed for each new placement site.
- If no minors or background check at your site, you still need to have site administration check the box “no check required/no work with minors” and sign the form (see 9 and 10 below for more detail).
- The signed verification form needs to be completed by the site agency within the Sonia Field Database (see numbers 4 and 5 below).
- The POM Online Training Certificate needs to be uploaded to the Sonia Field Database.
FAQs
1) What is the deadline to complete POM requirements?
You must be in compliance before practicum placement begins. As soon as you receive your practicum placement, you should begin to address these requirements.
2) I am mostly observing at my site. Does POM still apply to me?
Yes. It applies to all students who are in placement regardless of population served.
3) How often do I need to complete POM requirements?
- POM Online Training: Only once during your time at BU
- POM Verification Form: Needs to be completed for each new placement site
4) Who should I have sign the POM Verification Form?
The form will be available within the Sonia Field Database. It will be forwarded to the primary placement contact for completion.
The BU POM Verification Form is a fillable form that can be signed electronically.
Students working with adults only: See numbers 9 and 10 below.
5) What should I do after the Online Training is completed?
Upload the training certificate for review by the Practicum Education Department and complete the Protection of Minors Online Training Certification Completion Verification Form in SONIA.
6) Why do I need to upload the training certificate and signed verification form to Sonia?
The uploaded documents provide BU School of Social Work an official record of your compliance, required under POM policy.
7) Does POM apply to job-related placements?
Yes. BU requires a record of compliance from all students, even those in job-related placements.
8) Does POM apply to out-of-state placements?
Yes. As a welcome guest in the field, you are always obligated to abide by all out-of-state site requirements in a timely manner before your placement begins.
Have site administration complete the POM Verification Form. The signed form is proof of your compliance with the site’s state-specific background check.
9) Does the POM Verification Form apply if I am only working with adults?
Yes, you still need to have site administration check the box “no minors” on the POM Verification Form and sign it.
10) I cannot complete the POM Verification Form because my site has no background check. What should I do?
Have site administration check the box “no check was required” on the POM Verification Form and sign it.
11) What is the consequence for students who do not comply?
Notification will be sent to the student, advisor, and site supervisor. Students will not be permitted to attend their site until they are in compliance and have written clearance from the Practicum Education Department.
12) What is the consequence if I am in a job-related placement and not in compliance?
You cannot count hours toward your BU practicum until you are in full compliance.
13) The site has not yet signed my POM Verification Form. Will my placement be delayed because of this?
Address the BU POM policy and field site background checks when you accept your practicum placement (or as soon as the site will allow) and regularly keep the Practicum Education Department informed and updated about any delay that is beyond your control.
14) Who do I contact if I have questions about the POM?
Please contact either Academic Affairs or the Practicum Education department below:
- Academic Affairs: acadssw@bu.edu
- Practicum Education Department: sswfed@bu.edu