Policies

Safer Recruitment Policy

Introduction

The purpose of this policy is to set out the minimum requirements of a recruitment process for employees of DiNN Enterprise CIC that aims to:

  • attract the best possible applicants to vacancies

  • deter prospective applicants who are unsuitable for work with children, young people, vulnerable adults or the elderly

  • identify and reject applicants who are unsuitable for work with children, young people, vulnerable adults or the elderly


Statutory Requirements

Where there are some statutory requirements for the appointment of some staff or volunteers, they must always be met, recognising that those requirements will change from time to time.

Identification of Recruiters

Subject to the availability of training, DINN Enterprise CIC will move towards a position in which at least one recruiter has successfully received accredited training in safe recruitment procedures.

Inviting Applications

Advertisements for posts – whether in newspapers, journals or online – will include the statement:

“DINN Enterprise CIC is committed to safeguarding children, young people, vulnerable adults and the elderly. All postholders are subject to a satisfactory DBS check.”

Prospective applicants will, as a minimum, be supplied with or given access to the following:

  • job description and person specification

  • DINN Enterprise CIC’s safeguarding policies

  • DINN Enterprise CIC’s safe recruitment policy 

  • the selection procedure for the post

All applications must be in writing and submitted through an online form.

Short-listing and References

Short-listing of candidates will be against the person specification for the post.

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 necessary, referees will be contacted by telephone or e-mail in order to clarify any anomalies or discrepancies. A detailed written note will be kept of such exchanges.

Where necessary, previous employers who have not been named as referees will be contacted in order to clarify any anomalies or discrepancies. A detailed written note will be kept of such exchanges.

Referees will always be asked specific questions about:

  • the candidate’s suitability for working with children, young people, vulnerable adults or the elderly

  • any disciplinary warnings, including time-expired warnings, that relate to the safeguarding of children, young people, vulnerable adults or the elderly

  • the candidate’s suitability for this post.


​The Selection Process

Selection techniques will be determined by the nature and duties of the vacant post, but all vacancies will require an interview of short-listed candidates.

Interviews will always be face-to-face (by video if necessary). Telephone interviews may be used at the short-listing stage but will not be a substitute for a face-to-face interview. Candidates will always be required:

  • to explain satisfactorily any gaps in employment

  • to explain satisfactorily any anomalies or discrepancies in the information available to recruiters

  • to declare any information that is likely to appear on a Criminal Records Bureau disclosure

  • to demonstrate their capacity to safeguard and protect the welfare of children, young
    people, vulnerable adults and the elderly


Employment Checks

All successful applicants are required:

  • to provide proof of identity

  • to complete a Criminal Records Bureau disclosure application and receive satisfactory clearance

  • to provide actual certificates of qualifications

  • to complete a confidential health questionnaire

  • to provide proof of eligibility to live and work in the UK


Induction

All staff who are new to DINN Enterprise CIC will receive induction training that will include DINN Enterprise CIC’s safeguarding policies and guidance on safe working practices.

Regular meetings will be held during the first 6 months of employment between the new employee(s) and the appropriate manager(s).


Last review: 4 March 2024