---

Who Should Take This Online Training Course?

This course is suitable for anyone who has responsibility for hiring and/or supervising new staff members to work with children and young people. This applies whether you’re hiring full-time, part-time or voluntary workers.

All professionals have a duty to keep children safe from harm and this begins with following correct safer recruitment procedures. Examples of people who may wish to take this course include:

• Teachers and head teachers.
• Heads of departments.
• School governors.
• HR staff members.

---

Certification

---

Screenshots (click to view)

---

Content

The course is divided into six accessible, interactive modules and includes an assessment at the end:

• Introduction to Safer Recruitment – why safer recruitment is important, children most at risk, case examples of Nigel Leat, Jeremy Forrest and Ian Huntley, raising awareness and key guidance.
• Step 1: Create the Job Description and Application Pack – preparing to recruit, common recruitment mistakes, applicant information packs: job description, person specification, safeguarding statement, self-disclosure forms, selection process outline, application forms and references, creating a successful job advert.
• Step 2: Shortlist Candidates, Contact Referees and Review Disclosures – considering applications, contacting referees, reviewing self-disclosure forms and preparing for the interview process.
• Step 3: Interview Shortlisted Candidates – before the interviews, asking questions, question styles, listening well, causes for concern and closing the interview.
• Step 4: Pre-Appointment and DBS Checks – pre-appointment checks: eligibility to work in the UK, DBS checks, prohibition orders, qualifications, professional status and overseas checks, hiring through third parties and making a conditional offer.
• Step 5: The Induction Process and Maintaining a Safe Workplace – the induction process, code of conduct, monitoring and supervision, maintaining a safe workplace, dealing with allegations and the case example of Vanessa George.

Download Course Overview (PDF) »

---

Aims of the Course

By the end of this course you will:

• Understand why having strict safer recruitment practices in place is so important in regards to safeguarding children.
• Know how to put together an effective applicant information pack, including a job description and safeguarding statement.
• Know what to look for when shortlisting candidates.
• Understand how to contact referees and know what is needed from a reference.
• Know how to successfully interview candidates.
• Understand what is involved in the pre-appointment checks, including DBS checks, before a candidate can start work.
• Understand the importance of a thorough staff induction process and safeguarding children training.

---

Assessment

The online assessment is taken on completion of the training material. You will be asked 20 multiple choice questions with a pass mark of 80%. The answers are marked automatically so you will instantly know whether you have passed. If you don't pass don't worry! You can take the test as many times as you need with no extra charge.