All organisations have a duty to ensure that children and young people are protected and kept safe from harm while they are with staff or volunteers. For this purpose, staff and volunteers must be carefully selected, screened, trained and supervised.

Selection process:

All applicants for paid and unpaid positions will complete a personal profile form and self-declaration form.

Short listed applicants will be asked to attend for interview/discussion.

Short listed applicants will be asked to provide references and these will always be taken up prior to confirmation of appointment. References will be followed up with a telephone call of personal contact during which the applicant’s suitability to work with children or young people will be discussed. A record of this discussion will be kept in the applicant’s file.

Disclosure Scotland Check:

The successful applicant will be asked to agree to an appropriate disclosure check relevant to the post. All applications for "child care positions" as defined in the Protection of Children (Scotland) Act 2003 will be required to complete a Disclosure Scotland check. Disclosure Scotland checks will be requested prior to the applicant taking up the post.

Training:

The successful applicant will receive induction training, which will give an overview of the organisation and ensure they know its purpose, values services and structure.

Training on specific areas such as Health and Safety procedures, identifying and reporting abuse, and confidentiality will be given as a priority to new staff/volunteers, and will be regularly reviewed.

Relevant training and support will be provided on an ongoing basis, and will cover information about their role and opportunities for practicing skills needed for the position.

Supervision:

All staff/volunteers will be subject to an agreed probationary period.

All staff/volunteers will have a designated supervisor who will provide regular feedback and support.

All staff/volunteers will attend an annual review, where their performance, skills, motivation, and expectations will be discussed. Annual reviews will be minuted and copies made available to the member of staff/volunteer.

All staff and volunteers involved in recruitment, training and supervision will be aware of this procedure and receive appropriate training and support to ensure its full implementation.