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Safer Recruitment and People Management

The Church commits to safely recruiting and supporting all workers and volunteers who have any responsibility related to children, young people and vulnerable adults who attend Church activities. This is reflected in the Church of England’s safeguarding policy statement ‘Promoting a Safer Church’.

Obtaining a Disclosure and Barring (DBS) check is only one element of the safer recruitment process and consequently the National Safeguarding Team have reviewed its previous guidance, ‘Practice Guidance: Safer Recruitment’ which was first published in 2015 and in July 2021 published its new policy and associated guidance, ‘Safer Recruitment and People Management’ (SRPM).

Here is the current Safer Recruitment & People Management Guidance

Anyone involved in the recruitment, appointment and management/supervision of roles that have substantial contact with children, young people and/or vulnerable adults must complete online Safer Recruitment & People Management. To complete the training log on here

To use our online Disclosure & Barring Service application system, through Thirtyone:eight, a church must appoint a Lead Recruiter and complete the registration form. Once this form is completed please return to Sharon Welbourne: Sharon.welbourne@peterborough-diocese.org.uk

Safer Recruitment and People Management (SRPM)

Process Summary

See E-manual in toolkit for further information

	Summary	*
PREPARE See Item 1,2,3	Identify who is responsible for overseeing and managing recruitment process Prepare role description and person specifications for the role being advertised * Advertise the role*	This includes DBS eligibility required for the role Include or provide access to the Church Body’ safeguarding statement
APPLICATION, INTERVIEW RECRUIT See Item 4,5,6,7	Application form* Confidential self declaration form Shortlist applications Interview and assessment (check gaps in employment history)	Be clear, use plain language Include links to relevant documents and privacy notice
PRE-START CHECKS See Item 8,9,10	Proof of identity Two references DBS check – through thirtyone:eight *	When DBS check ‘contains information’ always refer to DSA From 01/01/2024 DBS checks renewed every 3 years
STARTING ROLE See Item 11,12, 13	1-2-1 induction * Subject to probationary period / settling in period Review at end of probation / settling in period	Volunteer agreement / paid worker contract Ensure relevant training for role is provided
*On-Going Support, Accountability, Oversight and Supervision* See Item 14
*Learning and Development, Record Keeping* See Item 15 and 16

Full details of the House of Bishops Safer Recruitment and People Management E-manual can be found here

Safer Recruitment and People Management

Safer Recruitment and People Management (SRPM)

Process Summary

Summary

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