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Specialist UK recruitment for residential childcare & supported accommodation
Connective Careers Pathways logoConnectiveCareers Pathways

Safeguarding

Our approach to safer recruitment

Our recruitment process is designed to support safer recruitment practices appropriate to residential childcare. Exact checks and requirements are confirmed for each appointment.

Connective Careers Pathways is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and expects every candidate and client organisation to share that commitment. All appointments are subject to safer recruitment checks.

  1. 01

    Role definition

    Every vacancy starts with a clear job description and person specification that states the safeguarding responsibilities and the regulated-activity status of the role.

  2. 02

    Advertising

    All adverts carry an explicit safeguarding statement and confirm that appointments are subject to an enhanced DBS check with barred list information.

  3. 03

    Application screening

    We ask candidates for a full chronological employment history and discuss any gaps as part of our conversation with them.

  4. 04

    Values-based interviewing

    Our conversations with candidates use scenario questions covering boundaries, attachment, de-escalation and reporting concerns.

  5. 05

    Identity and right to work

    Identity and right-to-work documentation is requested as part of the process. The evidence required is agreed with the employer for each appointment.

  6. 06

    References

    Reference requirements are agreed with the employer for each role. Where we take references, they are sought from the organisation rather than personal contacts.

  7. 07

    DBS and registers

    Enhanced DBS checks with children's barred list information apply to regulated activity. The checks required for a specific role are confirmed with the employer.

  8. 08

    Handover and induction

    We share the recruitment information we hold with the employer, who remains responsible for their statutory recruitment records and pre-employment checks.

Raising a concern

If you have a safeguarding concern about a placement, a candidate or our own practice, contact us immediately and ask for the safeguarding lead. Concerns about a child's immediate safety should always go to the local authority children's services team or the police first.

Contact our team