Safer Recruitment

The Headteacher and Governors of Kendrick School are aware of their responsibility for appointing appropriate teaching and support staff, ensuring that all staff have the health and qualifications for the post and are proper and fit persons to be in charge of children and young people.

Kendrick School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. To assist in this, the school follows a formal recruitment procedure for the employment of all staff and adheres to the guidelines outlined in our our Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy and Keeping Children Safe in Education (September 2023).

Introduction

This statement sets out the minimum requirements of the recruitment process that aims to:

  • Attract the best possible applicants to vacancies
  • Deter prospective applicants who are unsuitable for work with children, young people, and vulnerable adults
  • Identify and reject applicants who are unsuitable for work with children, young people and vulnerable adults.

At least one interview panel member has completed the statutory Safer Recruitment Training.

Advertising Roles and Inviting Applications

  • All recruitment advertisements will include the statement: Kendrick School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Any successful applicant will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure check by the Disclosure & Barring Service. Kendrick School is an Equal Opportunity employer
  • Prospective applicants will be supplied, as a minimum, with the following on our website:
    • An application pack which includes:
      • A job description
      • A safer recruitment statement
      • Information on how to complete the application form and how to apply
    • Application Form - all prospective applicants must complete, in full, an application form accounting for any gaps in their education or employment history. We will not accept CVs as a method of application.

Shortlisting and References

  • Shortlisting of candidates will be against the Job Description and Person Specification for the post.
  • The application form will be scrutinised for any safeguarding concerns, and if these exist, will be raised with the applicant at interview.
  • Where requested and where possible, references will be taken up before the selection stage, so that any discrepancies can be probed during the selection stage.
  • References will be sought directly from the referee. References or testimonials provided by the candidate will never be accepted.
  • Where possible, referees will be contacted by telephone in order to clarify any anomalies or discrepancies and to verify the identity of the referee. A detailed written note will be kept of such exchanges.
  • Referees will always be asked specific questions regarding:
    • The candidate’s suitability for working with children, young people, and vulnerable adults;
    • Any disciplinary warnings, including time-expired warnings, that relate to the safeguarding of children, young people, and vulnerable adults;
    • The candidate’s suitability for this post.
  • Applicants who are invited to interview must provide a signed Declaration of Convictions form before attending the interview. They will be required to sign a hard copy on arrival at the school.
  • We reserve the right to carry out an online search as part of our due diligence obligations on shortlisted candidates and candidates will be provided the opportunity to address any issues of concerns that may come up during the search at interview.

The Selection Process

  • Selection techniques will be determined by the nature and duties of the vacant post, but all vacancies will require, as a minimum, an interview of short-listed candidates.
  • Interviews will always be face-to-face, either online or in person. 
  • The selection process will involve:
    • A formal interview with the Headteacher and Head of Department or line manager. A governor will be part of interviews for Head of Department roles and above 
    • An informal interview
    • A lesson observation or task
    • A student panel, supervised by a member of staff
    • A safeguarding interview with the Deputy Safeguarding Lead or a Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead where candidates will be required to: 
      • Demonstrate their capacity to safeguard and protect the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults.
      • Declare any information that is likely to appear on a DBS;
      • Explain satisfactorily any anomalies or discrepancies in the information available to the panel;
      • Explain satisfactorily any gaps in employment;
  • Kendrick School will always:
    • Confirm the outcome of the interview to the applicant within one week 
    • Give feedback on the interview if requested by the applicant

Employment Checks

All offers of appointment will be conditional until satisfactory completion of the mandatory pre-employment checks. As a minimum Kendrick School will undertake the following:

  • Verify a candidate’s identity. It is important to be sure that the person is who they claim to be; this includes being aware of the potential for individuals changing their name. 
  • Obtain (via the applicant) an enhanced DBS check (including children’s barred list information, for those who will be engaging in regulated activity with children).
  • Verify the candidate’s mental and physical fitness to carry out their work responsibilities
  • Verify the person’s right to work in the UK, including EU nationals. 
  • If the person has lived or worked outside the UK, make any further checks as appropriate
  • Verify professional qualifications, as appropriate. 

Induction

All staff joining Kendrick School will be required to:

  • Complete the online NSPCC Child Protection training within two weeks of joining the school
  • Receive specific Kendrick School safeguarding training with the DSL
  • Sign a declaration to confirm they have read and understood the following policies and documents:
    • Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE)
    • Kendrick School Safeguarding and Child Protection policy
    • Confidentiality policy
    • Whistleblowing policy
    • Code of Conduct policy
    • Health and Safety policy
    • Internet and Esafety policy