4. Safer Recruitment

4.1 Safe Recruitment Policy Statement

Jesus Youth UK is committed to creating and maintaining a safe, nurturing, and positive environment for all children, young people, and vulnerable adults. As part of our safeguarding responsibilities, we ensure that all recruitment and selection of staff and volunteers are conducted fairly, safely, and in line with UK legislation, statutory guidance, and the policies of the Catholic Church in England and Wales.

This policy applies to all staff and volunteers who work within Jesus Youth UK.

4.2 Principles of Safe Recruitment

• Safeguarding first — protecting children and vulnerable adults is paramount in every recruitment decision.
• Safer recruitment practice — no individual will work unsupervised with children or vulnerable adults until all required checks are completed.
• Equal opportunities — recruitment will be fair, transparent, and in line with equality legislation.
• Accountability — every stage of recruitment will be recorded and auditable.

4.3 Staff Recruitment Procedures

4.3.1 Role Description and Person Specification

Each staff role must have a clear written description outlining responsibilities, expectations, and safeguarding duties.

4.3.2 Application and Self-Declaration

All applicants must complete an application form and safeguarding self-declaration, providing a full employment/ministry history with explanations for any gaps.

4.3.3 References

A minimum of two written references will be obtained, including at least one from a recent employer, parish priest, or organisation leader. References must specifically comment on the applicant’s suitability to work with children and vulnerable adults.

4.3.4 Interviews/Selection

Interviews will explore motivation, experience, safeguarding awareness, and attitudes towards children and vulnerable adults. At least one member of the panel must be trained in safer recruitment.

4.4 Pre-Appointment Checks

4.4.1 DBS Checks

All staff must undergo an Enhanced DBS check with barred list check. DBS checks will be renewed every three years, or sooner if required. See §5 for full DBS detail.

4.4.2 Right to Work and Identity Verification

All applicants must provide proof of identity and right to work/ministry in the UK.

4.4.3 Qualifications and Training

Where required, qualifications and professional registrations will be verified. All successful applicants must complete mandatory safeguarding training within their first three months.

4.5 Induction and Training

Induction will include safeguarding policies, reporting procedures, and codes of conduct. Ongoing training in safeguarding children and vulnerable adults will be provided regularly.

4.6 Supervision and Monitoring

All new staff will be subject to a probationary or trial period. Regular supervision and annual reviews will assess safeguarding awareness and performance. Concerns about conduct or safeguarding will be acted upon immediately in line with the Jesus Youth UK Safeguarding Policy.

4.7 Recruitment Record Keeping

Recruitment records, including application forms, references, DBS outcomes, and interview notes, will be securely retained in line with data protection legislation. Only authorised safeguarding personnel may access these records.

4.8 Safeguarding Culture

All staff must sign and abide by the Jesus Youth UK Code of Conduct. Concerns about a colleague’s behaviour or practice must be reported immediately to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL). Failure to comply with this policy may result in disciplinary action or termination of role.

4.9 Safe Recruitment of Volunteers

Every volunteer with access to children, young people, or vulnerable adults must complete the full process before being deployed. No exceptions, including for trusted long-standing members.

All those volunteers working directly (providing regulated activities) with children and vulnerable adults in a Jesus Youth location should have undertaken an enhanced DBS check. They must also have two character references. Even if a volunteer holds an existing DBS with another organisation, this cannot be transferred over, but they will be required to complete a check through Jesus Youth UK.

The recruitment process of volunteers will be fair, transparent, and robust, and appointments of all volunteers will only be confirmed once all safer recruitment checks have been fully completed. Volunteers will have a clearly defined volunteer job profile outlining the responsibilities, expectations, and required competencies for the position. Volunteers will be expected to demonstrate their ability to meet the requirements of the role, including adherence to safeguarding policies and procedures.

If a volunteer does not have a valid DBS check carried out by Jesus Youth, they should not provide regulated activities. They must only work under the supervision of another volunteer with Enhanced DBS carried out by Jesus Youth.

A volunteer role is classed as regulated activity if it involves unsupervised activities such as teaching, training, instructing, caring for, or supervising children, occurring frequently (once a week or more), or intensively (on 4 or more days in 30 days), or overnight (between 9 pm–6am).

As part of the induction, all volunteers working in Jesus Youth locations will be provided safeguarding and child protection training in keeping children safe including managing and reporting processes.

All volunteers are to sign to confirm they will follow the organisation’s safeguarding code of conduct and reporting procedures.

Volunteer Recruitment Steps

4.10 Under-18 Volunteers

• No volunteer under 18 years is to be in a Jesus Youth Location without suitable adult supervision. Where an under-18 volunteer is leading a Jesus Youth group or activity, another Jesus Youth adult volunteer should be present.
• Volunteers under the age of 18 are to be counted as children in ratios. Refer to §6.4 for further details.
• Volunteers under the age of 18 are required to complete parental consent forms and adhere to the code of conduct expected of all volunteers.