Safer Recruitment Policy & Guidance April 2024 ( Updated September 2024)

In this section

Context

This Safer Recruitment Policy supports the over-arching Corporate Safeguarding Policy. This policy works alongside other Council policies and guidance including:

  • Recruitment and Selection policy 
  • Equality and Diversity policy 
  • Disclosure and Barring Service Checks and Self Disclosures – Guidance for Managers (REVISED) 
  • Employment References- Guidance (REVISED)  
  • Probationary policy 
  • Whistleblowing policy 
  • Shortlist Guidance 
  • Officers’ Code of Conduct 
  • Behavioural Standards in the Workplace guidance 
  • Close Personal Associations: Relationships at Work guidance 
  • Recruitment of Ex-Offenders Policy (NEW)  

This policy takes account of:  

  • Social Care Wales: Code of Practise for Social Care Workers, and Guidance for Registered Workers 
  • Education Workforce Council: Code of Professional Conduct and Practise 
  • Social Care Wales: All Wales Induction Framework 

The legislation and national guidance that support this policy statement are:

  • Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 
  • Working Together to Safeguard People statutory guidance 
  • Children Act 1989 and 2004 
  • Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and Rehabilitation of Offenders (Exceptions Order) Act 1975, as amended 2013 and 2020 
  • Police Act 1997, Part 5  
  • Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 
  • Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 
  • Education Act 2002 
  • Data Protection Act 2018 
  • Welsh Government guidance, Keeping Learners Safe, 2020 

This policy statement links to the Wales Safeguarding Procedures  for children and adults at risk of abuse and neglect.

Specifically, Section 5: Safeguarding allegations / concerns about Practitioners and those in Positions of Trust.

In particular, the Children Act 2004 requires local authorities to have in place arrangements that reflect the importance of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, including:

  • Safe recruitment practices and ongoing safe working practices for individuals whom the organisation or agency permit to work regularly with children, including policies on when to obtain a criminal record check 
  • Appropriate supervision and support for staff, including undertaking safeguarding training 
  • Creating a culture of safety, equality and protection within the services they provide 

In addition 

  • Ensuring that their staff are competent to carry out their responsibilities for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and creating an environment where staff feel able to raise concerns and feel supported in their safeguarding role; 
  • Staff should be given a mandatory induction, which includes familiarisation with child protection responsibilities and the procedures to be followed if anyone has any concerns about a child’s safety or welfare;
  • All practitioners should have regular reviews of their own practice to ensure they have knowledge, skills and expertise that improve over time.