Safer recruitment

Our top tips for ensuring safer recruitment

Safer recruitment
Recruitment remains a constant feature for all schools and academies. It is a critical activity, so important to get it right from a legislative and safeguarding perspective.The costs of getting it wrong can be considerable, so here’s our advice.Make sure you forward plan

Having a vacancy can provide an opportunity to review what role(s) you need going forward. It’s not always a case of needing like for like replacements. Take an opportunity to review your structure, roles and responsibilities

Decide who is going to be involved in the recruitment and selection.

Make sure you are compliant with government guidance. For example, The Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) 2021 statutory guidance for schools and colleges in England was revised by the Department for Education (DFE) in September 2021.

Decide if you require any external subject matter expertise to support you.

Agree timing - when do you need someone in post? Map your deadlines for completing key activities.

It’s a competitive marketplace - do your best to attract candidates

How can you sell your organisation – candidates will consider what type of organisation you are/ values/ culture/ forward thinking/ CPD etc to determine whether you are the right fit for them.

What flexibility can you offer new staff - consider current guidance on flexible working (flexible working guidance for school).

Consider how you can ensure candidates have a positive recruitment experience, which may encourage them to accept a role they are offered. First impressions are important!

Choose your selection approach carefully

Refer back to the person specification and qualities, skills and attributes you are seeking and consider how candidates can evidence these e.g. assessment centre/ presentations/ teaching observations/competency based questions.

Follow your policy, ensuring a thorough and consistent approach that will mitigate claims of discrimination by the candidates. You want to ensure they feel they have been treated fairly and given every opportunity to demonstrate their skills, knowledge and abilities.

Ensure you follow safeguarding guidance, with appropriate pre employment checks in line with KCSIE, Government Legislation, DfE and Disclosure & Barring service (DBS) requirements, to safeguard your pupils, staff and school.

Ask for help and advice from our HR experts

Stay updated on changes to safer recruitment by attending our accredited Safer Recruitment and Safer Recruitment Refresher training, which we deliver throughout the year.

Consider booking a bespoke workshop to help you meet safer staffing requirements.

When recruiting to senior roles, let us run your assessment centre for you.

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