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Business Administrator Apprentice Level 3

 

Our Commitment to Safeguarding

Longbenton High School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all staff, volunteers, governors, contractors and visitors to share this commitment and to uphold the highest standards of professional conduct.

Safeguarding and child protection are at the heart of everything we do. Our recruitment processes are designed to deter unsuitable applicants, identify and respond to any concerns, and appoint the safest and most suitable candidates to work with our pupils.

Safer Recruitment Practices

Longbenton High School follows safer recruitment procedures in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education, statutory guidance from the Department for Education, and all relevant legislation and guidance.

All recruitment panels include staff who have completed appropriate safer recruitment training. Our selection process is thorough, fair and transparent, while always placing the safety and welfare of children first.

All appointments are subject to rigorous checks before employment begins. These will include:

• A satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service certificate, including a check of the Children’s Barred List where the role involves regulated activity
• Verification of identity
• Verification of right to work in the UK
• Verification of qualifications, where these are required for the role
• A full employment history, with explanations sought for any gaps or inconsistencies
• Professional references, obtained before interview wherever possible and carefully scrutinised for safeguarding concerns
• A prohibition from teaching check, where applicable
• A Section 128 direction check for relevant leadership and management roles, where applicable
• Overseas criminal record checks or other relevant checks where an applicant has lived or worked outside the UK
• Any other checks required for the role in line with statutory guidance

All required checks are recorded on the school’s Single Central Record in accordance with statutory requirements.

Applications

Applicants are required to complete the school’s application form in full. A curriculum vitae may be submitted alongside an application form, but it will not be accepted on its own.

Where a role involves regulated activity with children, it is an offence for an individual who is barred from working with children to apply for the role.

Applicants are encouraged to read our Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy, Staff Code of Conduct, and policy on the recruitment of people with criminal records before applying.

Shortlisting and Online Searches

Shortlisting is carried out by at least 2 members of staff. Applications are checked carefully to identify any gaps in employment, inconsistencies, repeated changes of employment, unexplained information or other matters that may need to be explored further.

As part of our safer recruitment process, Longbenton High School may carry out online searches on shortlisted candidates as part of our due diligence. These searches are used to help identify any publicly available information that may need to be explored with the candidate at interview. Shortlisted candidates will be informed that online searches may be undertaken.

Self Declaration

Shortlisted candidates will be asked to complete a self declaration form before interview. This gives candidates the opportunity to declare any relevant criminal record information, child protection concerns, disciplinary matters, or any other information that may affect their suitability to work with children.

Any information declared will be considered sensitively, fairly and in line with relevant guidance. Where appropriate, this information will be discussed with the candidate at interview before any final appointment decision is made.

References

References are an important part of our safer recruitment process. Wherever possible, references are requested before interview so that any concerns can be explored with the candidate during the selection process.

Longbenton High School does not accept open references or references provided directly by the applicant. References are checked against the application form, and any gaps, discrepancies, vague information or safeguarding concerns are followed up with the referee and the candidate.

Where a candidate has previously worked with children, we will seek a reference from the most recent relevant employer. Where a referee is school based, references should be completed by a senior person with appropriate authority.

Any safeguarding concerns must be resolved satisfactorily before an appointment is confirmed.

Selection and Interview Process

The interview process is designed to assess the candidate’s suitability for the role, including their suitability to work with children and young people.

The process includes:

• Questions about safeguarding and child protection
• Exploration of the candidate’s motivation for working with children
• Discussion of relevant experience, skills and professional conduct
• Exploration of any gaps in employment or changes in employment history
• Discussion of any discrepancies or concerns arising from the application form, references, self declaration or online searches
• Assessment of the candidate’s ability to maintain professional boundaries and uphold the school’s values

Equal Opportunities

Longbenton High School is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates.

We are committed to ensuring that recruitment decisions are fair, transparent and based on merit, suitability for the role and the school’s safeguarding responsibilities. We welcome applications regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

Ongoing Safeguarding Responsibilities

Successful applicants will be required to:

• Read and follow the school’s Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy
• Read and follow the school’s Staff Code of Conduct
• Complete safeguarding training as part of induction
• Complete regular safeguarding training and updates
• Maintain professional boundaries at all times
• Report concerns in line with school procedures
• Promote the welfare, safety and wellbeing of all pupils

Safeguarding is not limited to the recruitment process. All staff are expected to maintain the highest standards of professional conduct throughout their employment.

Supply Staff, Volunteers, Contractors and Governors

Appropriate safeguarding checks are completed or confirmed for supply staff, agency staff, volunteers, contractors, governors and other adults working in or visiting the school, depending on their role, level of supervision and contact with children.

Where staff are provided by an agency or third party organisation, Longbenton High School seeks written confirmation that all required checks have been completed.

Safeguarding Statement

Longbenton High School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all staff, volunteers, governors and contractors to share this commitment.

Any offer of employment will be conditional on the completion of satisfactory safer recruitment checks, including a satisfactory enhanced DBS certificate where required, satisfactory references, identity checks, right to work checks, qualification checks where applicable, and any other checks required for the role.