Safer recruitment training became mandatory for the recruitment of school staff from 1 January 2010. This means a recruitment panel must have at least one member who has completed the training; or where an individual is in charge of recruitment, that individual must have completed the training. It is the responsibility of schools to comply.
The training package was originally developed by the National College for Leadership of Schools and Children's Services but since November 2009 the online training was a Children's Workforce Development Council (CWDC) programme. The training is readily accessible to LAs and all staff involved in recruitment at schools.
The training for the schools sector looks at best practice that should be adopted when recruiting and selecting adults to work with children in schools. It sets out procedures and strategies to help those involved in the recruitment process to deter, identify and reject applicants who are unsuitable to work with children. It also seeks to strengthen safeguards for children in schools by helping to deter and prevent abuse, with the aim of creating an environment where concerns can be raised on poor or unsafe practice.
The online training is supported by the guidance document, Safeguarding children and safer recruitment in education.
Similar training has been developed for the wider children's workforce.
