Safer Recruitment
All organisations and individuals who work with adults with care and support needs, or are involved in providing services for them have a legal duty, under the Care Act 2014, to safeguard and promote their welfare.
Safer Recruitment guidelines aims to prevent unsuitable persons from working with adults. This guidance applies to paid member of staff or volunteer whether they are permanent, temporary or agency staff or recruited from abroad. In addition it applies to staff / volunteers who are seen by adults with care and support needs as trustworthy and / or have access to confidential information. This may include administrative staff, caretakers, and maintenance workers for example.
Commissioners should ensure the principles of safer recruitment and employment are included in service level agreements or contracts drawn up between them and service providers.
In your organisations policy statement in relation to their commitment to the prevention of abuse and neglect and promoting the wellbeing of adults with care and support needs, it should include a statement that robust recruitment and selection procedures are in place to identify and deter people who might abuse or neglect adults with care and support needs or who are otherwise unsuitable for employment / volunteering.
Provider agencies should produce internal guidance for staff which relate clearly to the SAB policy and which set out the responsibilities of all staff to operate within it. They should also produce guidance outlining the rights of staff and how employers will respond where abuse is alleged against them within either a criminal or disciplinary context.
Please find attached Warrington Safeguarding Adults Board Safer Recruitment good practice guidance.
Safer Recruitment Guidance - July 2020
Modern Slavery
Modern slavery is a form of abuse and exploitation and should be considered within safer recruitment, employment and commissioning arrangements. The Modern Slavery Act 2015 includes offences relating to slavery, servitude, forced or compulsory labour and human trafficking, as well as provisions for victim protection, statutory guidance, the duty to notify and transparency in supply chains. Organisations should ensure that recruitment and employment practices help identify and reduce risks linked to exploitation, coercion, trafficking, labour abuse and unsafe working arrangements, including where agency, temporary, volunteer or overseas recruitment arrangements are used. The Modern Slavery: Statutory Guidance for England and Wales emphasises proactive prevention, multi-agency working, recognition of re-trafficking risk and trauma-informed practice based on dignity, compassion and respect.
Organisations must produce a statement setting out
“the steps the organisation has taken to ensure that slavery and human trafficking is not taking place in any of its supply chains, and in any part of its own business.”
The Clewer Initiative provides awareness-raising information and practical resources to help people recognise and report modern slavery, including posters, downloadable materials, films and course materials. These resources may be useful for organisations wishing to strengthen staff and volunteer awareness as part of safer recruitment, safeguarding adults practice and ongoing organisational vigilance.
Further Advice
For further advice and information you can access the following websites:
Further information can be found at the following websites:
www.acas.org.uk
Acas (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service): provides free and impartial information and advice to employers and employees on all aspects of workplace relations and employment law.
CIPD | The Professional Body for HR & People Development
Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development is a professional body for HR and people development
www.gov.uk/government/organisations/disclosure-and-barring-service
Disclosure and Barring Service