As part of our commitment to Working together with our communities, helping people live safer, happier lives we have developed the resources below to support in applying safeguarding to the employment journey.
They can be used by recruiting mangers, employers, community groups and voluntary organisations.
We want organisations to be curious about their own organisational culture and their approach to employment, in order to fulfil their responsibilities to keep everyone safe.
Many safeguarding enquiries and serious case reviews have indicated that a culture of compliance alone does not keep people safe.
Compliance is when an organisation meets the minimum standards and ticks all the right boxes but does not explore or consider anything that sits outside of the process.
Curiosity is when an organisation goes beyond compliance and is actively curious about the information they do and do not have.
Taking time to apply a safeguarding mindset when you plan your recruitment process and employment journey is important. It helps you to:
- Understand the responsibilities and safeguarding risks involved in the roles being recruited for
- Identify the skills, values, behaviours and attitudes you need someone to have to do the role safely and effectively
- Gather relevant information on the application form, in the interview process, in references and from vetting checks
- Provide staff with the skills, competencies and supervision required to undertake the safeguarding duties required of their role.
Useful resources