Safer Recruitment Process
At Activ Camps, we are committed to a thorough and consistent safer recruitment process, recognising how fundamental it is to ensure the safety of the children within our care.
Our aim is simple, to help deter, reject and identify people who might abuse children or are otherwise unsuited to working with them by having the necessary procedures for appointing staff.
From the very beginning of our recruitment process our Work For Us page on our website, Job Descriptions and Application Forms include a clear statement outlining our commitment to safeguarding children and explain the duties and responsibilities required for the role.
Although many staff members that join us are only looking for summer jobs, or part-time work during university studies, it’s critical to Activ Camps that all who join us complete this process.
Whilst completing our application form, we ask potential applicants about their motivations, experience working in childcare, any relevant qualifications they may have and their suitability for the role.
Our application form can be viewed on our website here
Background checks
Enhanced DBS
Background checks are vital to our safer recruitment process and something we take very seriously, we will not let an individual work with us until they have passed all of our checks.
The first component of our checks is an Enhanced DBS check. Every single employee at Activ Camps must undergo one as this is our first point of call to check the suitability of a candidate.
For more information about an Enhanced DBS check click here.
Referees
We then ask our candidates to provide us with two references to confirm the individual is who they say they are and give us some more details about the individual in question. Each referee we reach out to is asked to complete a standardised reference form specific to working at Activ Camps.
Where appropriate, at least one reference should be related to previous experience in childcare.
Interview
If an applicant passes our initial screening process they are then invited to a group zoom interview where their CVs are screened further. They are also asked several scenario-based questions where we match their answers against our desired attributes.
At this stage, they are once again reminded of Activ Camps’ commitment to safeguarding before being asked to discuss how they would handle a fictional safeguarding issue that may occur at one of our camps.
Training & Recruitment Day
If successful at Interview, the next step in our process is attending a training & recruitment day run by our Head Office Team. These training days are the best chance candidates get to see our policies and procedures in action and complete a specific enhanced safeguarding module.
Safeguarding training
In this safeguarding module we equip those in attendance with the knowledge on: physical, emotional, neglect & sexual abuse, child criminal exploitation and how to respond to a disclosure. We also give them a crash course on the Activ Camps ethos, what it means to work at camps, how to run effective sessions, running high risk activities and understanding what makes an effective Activity Instructor.
Once they have completed their training & recruitment day, they are asked to complete further training modules again to drive home their awareness of safeguarding and the importance it carries at our camps. The LSCB Level 1 Safeguarding Training: Awareness eLearning explores a background to safeguarding children, what to do if you have a concern and how to respond to a disclosure and an introduction to child abuse. All staff must complete this before their first day on site.
Ofsted’s view on our Safer Recruitment Process
Ofsted have been very complimentary about our safer recruitment process stating as a company we have a strong hold on making sure the right staff are working for us and children are kept safe: “The managers and staff have a good understanding of how to keep children safe. They can identify when a child is at risk of harm and know what to do if this”
Commentating further they added: “Safer recruitment procedures mean that staff’s suitability is thoroughly vetted. The premises are safe and secure. Staff risk assess the environment well and managers do site safety checks to ensure procedures are followed. Organisation of the setting is good.”
Ongoing monitoring & training
Once an employee starts their first day at Camps, we keep a high level of contact ensuring they feel supported and confident in carrying out their role.
From Day one, they are paired with an existing Activity Instructor who will show them the ropes on their first day and answer any questions about the Activ Camps Policies & Procedures.
As well as this, we make sure that the senior teams and their peers promote a commitment to the highest standards of openness, honesty and accountability. All new members of the team feel their voice is valued and can come forward when necessary.
Looking for a job in childcare? Join our team!
Want to be a part of a dynamic and exciting team? Looking for flexible seasonal and part time work that fits around your commitments? Then now’s your chance!
We are recruiting for seasonal staff to join us this Easter, Summer & beyond. Have a look at our 2023 camp dates and venues here.
Absolutely no experience is necessary as full training is provided, we do however seek for engaging, motivated and dynamic individuals as characteristics for our employees. If you want to make amazing memories this year in a fun environment then look no further as being an Activity Instructor at Activ Camps is the role for you.
If this sounds like you and you want to get paid to have fun, complete our application form and a member of a staffing team will be in touch.