DS has a job interview what might he need to know about safeguarding?

[secretscwirrels]

It will involve contact with children and I presume they might expect some basic knowledge of child protection issues? I've googled but can't come up with something straightforward for him to read up on.
He is 17 and there will be a range of age groups involved. he would have to be CRB checked or whatever they call it now.
Any tips or links most appreciated .

Have you tried your local LEA website for info?

This is from the Hertfordshire one and seems to have some user friendly stuff www.hertssafeguarding.org.uk/

Disclosure and Barring - DBS checks.

The DBS now has an update service. If your DS pays an annual subscription, it means that employers can access his DBS check online instead of him having to have a new check for each job or different role. If his job is likely to be short term, or have several roles, this may make him more attractive to employers? It would also show he is aware of safeguarding process.

Google the school or college - he might be able tp access policies.

Basically - any info disclosed by a child or ldd student up to 24 (i think) which may be a child protection matter MUST be passed on to a designated person within 2 hours. Staff must not ask questions but should calm the child and explain that the info must be passed on.

Look up Every Learner Matters / every child matters policies too.

Safeguarding has to be at the top of priorities of all organisations working with chidren. There are five types of abuse, and your DS should have an idea of what they are and what the signs and symptoms are (physical abuse, sexual abuse, psychological abuse, bullying and neglect). Also he could say in the interview that he will follow to the letter the guidelines from the organisation (policies) and always report any situation to the person nominated in the organisation. And that he will seek advice if he is in any doubt whatsoever. One of the important thing is to be able to recall and note down any information given by a child (during a discussion for example) and not prompt the child. I hope that makes sense.

If he is under 17 he should not be in any situation where he is given responsibility for young people's care or sole responsibility without an adult in constant attendance IME. He would be covered as a potential safeguardee by the safeguarding policy at my workplace at that age! Would be a bit if they are expecting him to go beyond assisting an adult at his age... really the key thing to know is who the safeguarding officer in the organisation is, to report anything he sees, hears or experiences - and who the next person after that is, in case the complaint is about the safeguarding officer themselves. Also that any complaint should be taken and dealt with very seriously.

Would have thought there will also be safeguards and guidelines in place around socialising or contacting young people (think social media, giving out mobile numbers etc) outside of the workplace situation/role. For more check out NSPCC or google safeguarding policy?

Thanks all.
Catmint Will look that up. I understood you couldn't DBS yourself, only an employer could do it.

omaoma He is not under 17 he is 17. He won't be alone / unsupervised with children but he may be asked whether he knows anything about it at the interview. (For example he was asked similar when he applied for lifeguarding job and was unprepared).

sorry just to confirm: in my workplace anybody under 18 is deemed a young person and covered by safeguarding.

Its good in the first place if he's aware of child protections issue. Any good place will do a CRB check on him. He is only 17 and personally I don't think they'd expect him to know all about child protection, what they will be looking for is someone who has common sense and if they have any concerns, they will raise it with the Child Protection Officer or designated member of staff. If it's something like a school, they will have talks and training on child protection.

Things like not being friends with any of the people from the job (children that is) on Facebook, twitter etc

Raising any issues with the nominated person and being clear to the child he will be discrete but cannot keep secrets for them

I volunteer with children and our rule is to never be alone with a child, there should always be another child or a suitable adult present.

To be aware the workplace will have rules to protect the children and employees and that he will follow these

The application is made by an individual, but usually in connection with a particular role. This was changed recently, and applications now cover a ' workforce' which means whether the person will be working with adults or children.

This change means that a DBS check can be portable between eligible roles within the same workforce. (Workforce a very odd choice of word IMO).

DBS certificates are now sent to the individual and the employer asks to see it, obviously having done all the identification verification stuff previously.