Links to other relevant policies:

Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy

Code of conduct

Equality and Diversity

​

Purpose 
 

Living in Full Bloom is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children, young people and vulnerable adults. 

Safer recruitment is an essential part of this commitment. The organisation aims to recruit, appoint and retain individuals who are suitable to work with children and who share Living in Full Bloom's commitment to safeguarding. 

This policy applies whenever Living in Full Bloom recruits employees, sessional workers, volunteers, students, apprentices, contractors or self-employed associates. 
 

Legislative Framework
 

This policy has been developed with reference to current safeguarding legislation and guidance including: 

• Keeping Children Safe in Education (current edition) 

• Working Together to Safeguard Children (current edition) 

• Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 

• Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 

• Police Act 1997 

• Data Protection Act 2018 

• UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) 

• Equality Act 2010 

• Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Code of Practice 
   

Living in Full Bloom will also work in accordance with the procedures and guidance issued by the Oxfordshire Safeguarding Children Partnership (OSCP). 
 

Commitment to Safeguarding 
 

Living in Full Bloom believes that safeguarding is everyone's responsibility. 

Safer recruitment forms one part of a wider safeguarding culture that includes: 

• Safe working practices 

• Clear professional boundaries 

• Appropriate supervision 

• Regular safeguarding training 

• Effective reporting procedures 

• Continuous vigilance 
   

Recruitment Principles 
 

At every stage of recruitment Living in Full Bloom will seek to: 

• Deter unsuitable applicants. 

• Identify unsuitable applicants. 

• Reject applicants who may pose a risk. 

• Recruit individuals who demonstrate appropriate values and behaviours. 

• Promote equality, diversity and inclusion throughout recruitment. 

Safeguarding responsibilities will be clearly stated within all relevant job descriptions and advertisements. 

Recruitment Process 
 

The recruitment process will normally include: 

• Application form or CV. 

• Review of employment history. 

• Verification of identity. 

• Verification of qualifications where relevant. 

• Verification of the right to work in the United Kingdom. 

• Professional interview. 

• Professional references. 

• Appropriate DBS checks. 

• Barred List check where the role is eligible. 

• Online search of publicly available information where appropriate as part of safeguarding due diligence. 

• Any additional checks considered necessary for the role. 
   

Application Forms 
 

Applicants will be required to provide: 

• Full employment history. 

• Details of relevant qualifications. 

• Explanation of employment gaps. 

• Professional experience. 

• Relevant safeguarding experience where applicable. 

Any discrepancies or unexplained gaps will be explored before an appointment is made. 

Interviews 
 

Applicants will be interviewed to assess: 

• Professional competence. 

• Experience. 

• Understanding of safeguarding. 

• Ability to maintain professional boundaries. 

• Suitability to work with children and young people. 

• Values and behaviours consistent with Living in Full Bloom. 

Safeguarding questions will form part of every interview. 
 

References 
 

A minimum of two professional references will normally be obtained before employment commences. 

References should: 

• Be obtained directly from the referee. 

• Be from recent employers where possible. 

• Confirm the applicant's suitability to work with children. 

• Be scrutinised for any safeguarding concerns or inconsistencies. 

Living in Full Bloom reserves the right to seek clarification where necessary. 

Identity Checks 
 

Before employment begins, original documentation will be checked to confirm: 

• Identity. 

• Date of birth. 

• Address. 

• Right to work in the UK. 

• Relevant qualifications where required. 

Copies will be retained securely in accordance with UK GDPR. 

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) 
 

Where a role involves regulated activity with children, Living in Full Bloom will obtain an Enhanced DBS Certificate including a Children's Barred List check before the individual begins unsupervised work. Where a  DBS certificate is pending, a written risk assessment will be completed before any supervised work is undertaken. No individual who is barred from working with children will be employed in regulated activity. 

Overseas Checks 

 

Where an applicant has lived or worked overseas, additional criminal record or certificate of good conduct checks may be requested where appropriate. 

Volunteers and Students
 

Volunteers, students and work placements will be subject to safeguarding checks appropriate to their role.The level of supervision and DBS requirements will be determined according to current legislation and guidance relating to regulated activity. 

Contractors and Self-employed Associates 
 

Living in Full Bloom may engage self-employed associates or contractors. Before commencing work involving children or young people, appropriate safeguarding checks will be completed, including: 

• Identity verification. 

• DBS status where appropriate. 

• References where appropriate. 

• Verification of qualifications where relevant. 

• Confirmation of safeguarding training where applicable. 
   

Conditional Offers 
 

All offers of employment or engagement are conditional upon satisfactory completion of all required pre-employment checks.Living in Full Bloom reserves the right to withdraw an offer where satisfactory checks cannot be completed. 
 

Induction 
 

All new employees, volunteers and associates will receive an induction appropriate to their role. 

This will include: 

• Safeguarding Policy. 

• Code of Conduct. 

• Whistleblowing Policy. 

• Lone Working Policy. 

• Health and Safety. 

• Confidentiality. 

• Data Protection. 

• Emergency Procedures. 

• Professional boundaries. 

• Reporting concerns. 
   

Ongoing Suitability 
 

Safeguarding responsibilities continue throughout employment. 

All individuals are expected to: 

• Report any safeguarding concerns immediately. 

• Declare any criminal investigations or convictions that may affect their suitability. 

• Maintain professional conduct. 

• Complete safeguarding training as required. 

• Follow all Living in Full Bloom policies. 
   

Record Keeping 
 

Living in Full Bloom will maintain confidential recruitment records, including: 

• Identity checks. 

• DBS information. 

• References. 

• Qualifications. 

• Right to work documentation. 

• Recruitment decisions. 
   

Records will be stored securely and retained in accordance with the Data Retention Policy. 

Equality and Fair Recruitment
 

Living in Full Bloom is committed to fair recruitment practices. Applicants will be treated fairly regardless of: 

• Age 

• Disability 

• Neurodivergence 

• Race 

• Religion or belief 

• Sex 

• Sexual orientation 

• Gender reassignment 

• Pregnancy or maternity 

• Marriage or civil partnership 
   

Concerns During Recruitment 
 

If safeguarding concerns arise during recruitment, Living in Full Bloom reserves the right to: 

• Seek additional information. 

• Delay recruitment. 

• Reject an application. 

• Refer concerns to the appropriate authorities where required. 
   

Review 
 

This policy will be reviewed annually or sooner if legislation, safeguarding guidance or organisational practice changes.