We believe that a team should be diverse, and have a mixture of experience and abilities. Having a background in Care is not necessary, an ability and willingness to learn, and a Caring understanding and compassionate nature will be at the forefront of our selection process.

All recruited employees will be required to provide a National Insurance number, with evidence that it is valid (P45, NI Card) in order to comply with the Asylum and Immigration Act 1998.

All applicants will be required to establish their identity, using photographic evidence (photographic drivers’ licence, passport, etc.) to establish their identity for criminal record checks, and all candidates will be required to produce documentation of any change of name (e.g., marriage licence), or sign a declaration stating the reason for the name change.

In line with the government guidelines all employees and stakeholder will be subjected to the necessary DBS enhanced checks. This will be supported by references and full employment history.

Candidates will be informed that, because the job requires them to have access to vulnerable people, if offered the post they will be subject, on recruitment, to a request for their Disclosure and Barring Services to be checked and that their employment will be conditional on that information being satisfactory. They will also be informed that the employer will make repeat checks at any time during their employment and disciplinary action taken if the information received indicates that the employee is no longer suitable, by reason of relevant conviction or listing on the register of unsuitable persons.

As well as Identity details, applicants will need to be aged at least 18, provide a complete Employment history, prove Capacity to work in the UK, provide Referees, (the last employer must be one referee), and be willing to complete Specific health questionnaires (non-specific health questionnaires have been held to be discriminatory)

Staff Training

All newly appointed Support Workers who do not already hold a relevant qualification will be registered to undertake the relevant NVQ whether it be in CYPD, Advice and Guidance Award (NVQ Level 2 or 3) within six months of commencement of employment and complete the full award within the first year of employment.

In addition, we aim to promote Continuing Professional Development by providing access to further training for all staff. It is mandatory for all staff to complete a minimum of 20 hours of learning as part of their Personal Development Plans.

Our Support staff complete all of the mandatory training and Mental Health/Learning Disabilities Awareness training. In addition to this the teams undertake ‘bolt-on’ training specific to the individual clients they work with, as well as welcoming Team Facilitation training by the professionals involved with the clients.