Safer Recruitment in Employment
Background & Wider Context
Following the Soham murder case, the Home Secretary asked Sir Michael Bichard to lead an independent inquiry into child protection measures, record keeping, vetting and information sharing. Sir Michael published the final version of his inquiry report on 15 March 2005. He made 31 recommendations.
Safer recruitment is also one strand of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, a key part of the government’s strategy for children and young people that was set out in Every Child Matters (ECM). Staying safe is one of the five outcomes for children that underpin that strategy and safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is a key theme of the ECM programme and Children Act 2004.
Following the findings of the Bichard enquiry into the recruitment of Huntley in the Soham case, a number of changes have been made to the recruitment arrangements for all employees who will work with vulnerable clients.
Safer Recruitment Online Training For School Governors/Headteachers
Bichard highlighted the importance of robust selection and recruitment processes when appointing people to work with children. The report recommended that training be made available to School Governors / Headteachers to ensure that interviews to appoint staff reflect the importance of safeguarding children.
In response the Department of Children Schools & Families commissioned the National College for School Leadership (NCSL) to develop an online training course – Safer Recruitment. This online training tool provides valuable advice and guidance to strengthen safeguards against employing unsuitable people in schools. This training will help schools demonstrate that they have effective recruitment and selection processes in place that ensure that learners are both well taught and protected.
Visit : www.ncsl.org.uk
Multi-Agency Safer Recruitment Training
Safer Recruitment training provides valuable information on developing a safer culture, and advice and guidance to strengthen safeguards against employing unsuitable people. The training will help agencies/organisations demonstrate that they have effective recruitment and selection processes.
How To Access Safer Recruitment Training & Position of Trust Briefings?
Safer Recruitment & Position of Trust briefings provide valuable information on developing a safer culture, and advice and guidance to strengthen safeguards against employing unsuitable people. The briefings will help organisations demonstrate that they have effective recruitment and selection processes. Birmingham Safeguarding Children Board are hosting a number of briefings sessions for professionals on safer recruitment and allegations against staff.
Three briefings are being organised in September 2008 Please details to follow:
Safer Recruitment Flyer 25th September 2008Further Information, please contact:-
Birmingham Safeguarding Children Board
Tel: 0121-464-2612
Fax: 0121-303-8427
Email: contactus@lscbbirmingham.org.uk
(b) Headteachers can also access the safer recruitment training is an accredited course (National College for School Leadership) and is required to be undertaken by all Headteachers, HR and safeguarding professionals.
Contact:
National College For School Leadership
Triumph Road, Nottingham, NG8 1DH
Telephone : 0870 001 1155
Email : ncsl-office@ncsl.org.uk
Key Documents
Safeguarding Children & Safer Recruitment In Education
Guidance for Safer Working Practice for Adults Who Work With Children & Young People
Useful Links