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Safer Recruitment Policy

Organisation: P+S Care and Support Services Limited

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL): Cheryl Sharp, Founder & Director

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1. Policy Statement

P+S Care and Support Services is committed to safer recruitment practices to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people (CYP). We ensure all recruitment decisions are made with safeguarding as the highest priority. This policy applies to all staff, agency workers, contractors, and volunteers.

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2. Principles of Safer Recruitment

  • Embedding safeguarding into every stage of recruitment and employment.

  • Ensuring a robust selection process that deters unsuitable individuals.

  • Verifying identity, qualifications, and employment history.

  • Maintaining a culture of vigilance throughout employment.

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3. Recruitment Process​

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  1. Job Description & Advertising

    • Clearly reference safeguarding responsibilities.

    • State that enhanced DBS and reference checks are mandatory.

    • Include our commitment to safer recruitment.

  2. Application

    • Use a standard application form requiring full employment history and safeguarding declaration.

    • CVs not accepted alone.

  3. Shortlisting & Interview

    • Panel members trained in safer recruitment.

    • Questions assess candidate’s attitude to safeguarding and resilience.

  4. Pre-Employment Checks (completed before start date):

    • Enhanced DBS check with barred list.

    • A minimum of 5 years referencing  (including most recent employer).

    • Identity and right-to-work checks.

    • Verification of qualifications and professional registration (where applicable).

    • Health declaration.

    • Employment history with gaps explained.

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4. Induction and Training

  • All staff receive safeguarding induction and Code of Conduct.

  • Mandatory safeguarding training prior to start and within onboarding.

  • Refresher training annually.

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5. Ongoing Employment

  • Staff monitored via supervision and appraisal.

  • Any safeguarding concern addressed immediately in line with Safeguarding Policy.

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Safeguarding Policy

Organisation: P+S Care and Support Services
Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL): Cheryl Sharp, Founder & Director
Deputy DSLs: Mia Hurren, Tracey Hicks

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1. Policy Statement

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of CYP. We will protect CYP from harm, respond swiftly to concerns, and work in partnership with families and statutory agencies.

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2. Roles and Responsibilities

  • DSL (Cheryl Sharp): Leads safeguarding practice, ensures staff training, liaises with Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO), records and escalates concerns, oversees safer recruitment.

  • Deputy DSLs: Support the DSL and deputise in her absence.

  • All Staff: Duty to safeguard, remain vigilant, and report concerns immediately.

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3. Reporting Concerns

  • Staff must report concerns to the DSL or Deputy immediately (verbally and in writing).

  • DSL assesses risk and contacts MASH/social care as required.

  • Urgent safeguarding issues are referred to police/emergency services.

  • Records maintained securely in safeguarding system.

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4. Allegations Against Staff

  • All allegations are reported to DSL.

  • DSL refers immediately to LADO.

  • Staff may be suspended pending investigation to safeguard CYP.

  • Confidentiality maintained throughout.

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5. Whistleblowing and Complaints

  • Staff may raise safeguarding concerns outside line management if necessary, following whistleblowing procedure.

  • Families and CYP informed of complaints procedure, with concerns escalated promptly.

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6. Missing Children – Philomena Protocol

  • All missing episodes followed through the Philomena Protocol in partnership with police.

  • Staff complete missing risk assessments, contact parents/LA, and follow return interview processes.

 

7. Training

  • DSL & Deputies: Advanced safeguarding training every 2 years.

  • All Staff: Mandatory induction, annual refresher safeguarding, Prevent, FGM, and online safety training.

  • Specialist Training: Criminal Exploitation, CSE, de-escalation, trauma-informed practice.

 

8. Recognising Abuse

We train staff to recognise signs of:

  • Physical abuse

  • Emotional abuse

  • Sexual abuse

  • Neglect

 

Additional risks include:

  • Criminal Exploitation (CE) – gang involvement, drug running, unexplained money/items.

  • Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) – relationships with older peers, secrecy, absconding.

  • Honour Based Abuse – restrictions, threats, disappearance.

  • Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) – risk indicators, disclosure, immediate duty to report.

  • Child-on-Child Abuse – bullying, sexual harassment, coercion.

  • Prevent (Radicalisation) – changes in beliefs, online activity, extremist associations.

  • Online Safety & Social Media – grooming, cyberbullying, exposure to harmful content.

  • Modern Slavery & Trafficking – movement across areas, control by others, lack of freedom.

 

9. Culture of Safety

We promote a culture where:

  • Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.

  • Concerns are reported without delay.

  • Staff feel safe to challenge poor practice.

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