Safer Recruitment

Section 175 of the Education Act 2002 requires Local Authorities and Governing Bodies of maintained schools to have arrangements in place to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.

Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council has a duty of care and is committed to safeguarding the welfare of the people of Merthyr Tydfil, particularly those groups or individuals in its care who are considered to be especially vulnerable or at risk, such as children, older people, and those with disabilities.

The Council has a number of robust policies and procedures set out in order to ensure that these individuals are protected by minimising the risk of employing individuals who do not share this commitment.

We ensure that rigorous pre-employment checks are undertaken for all appointments as part of our recruitment and selection process. Safer recruitment practice means thinking about and including issues of child protection, safeguarding and the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults throughout the process.

Safer recruitment practices can lengthen the time it takes before applicants can take up a new post in the organisation, however these steps are critical to ensure that people who may pose a threat to service users are not given positions of trust where they could exploit children, young people or adults entrusted to their care.

Schools have a legal duty of care for the health, safety, security and wellbeing of their pupils and staff at all times.  This duty of care incorporates the duty to safeguard all pupils from subjection to any form of harm, abuse or nuisance.  It is the responsibility of the Governing Body and Senior Leaders to ensure that this duty is uncompromised at all times.

Safeguarding is about protecting children and adults from abuse or neglect and educating those around them to recognise the signs and dangers.  Safeguarding is everybody’s responsibility.