Agenda item

Report of the Corporate Director for Children and Adults and the Director of HR

Lynn Robinson, HR Business Partner Children & Adults, introduced the report on the Safer Recruitment and Working Practices Framework Report. She highlighted the following points:

(a)  The Safer Recruitment & Working Practice Framework will become part of the People Management Handbook. The Framework has been developed as a result of the workforce elements of the corporate Casey Action Plan and lessons learnt from a review of Social Care Employee Records Review (Historic Records Review – HRR, October 2014 – June 2016)commissioned by the Corporate Director of Children and Adults in 2014;

(b)  As a result of this review the lessons learned and the recommendations have been incorporated into this policy and framework;

(c)  The policy sets out expectations of managers and employees and acts as a reference point for information on safer recruitment and working practices. It provided clarity in terms of roles and responsibilities and is broken down into two sections. Section A refers to behaviours and section B refers processes to be adhered to and to points of referencing terms of other policies.

(d)  This is a draft version of the Framework, which requires some minor updating following consultation feedback.  There is also a proposal to add a third section;  Section C which will apply to those people who are not directly employed by the Council but who work with the Council, such as agency worker, volunteers, consultancy;

(e)  Full consultation with the trade unions and senior colleagues has taken place and the document being discussed is one that the trade unions and senior management have supported, following full consultation and are content with;

(f)  There is also work planned to draw up a Relationships at Work Policy that will stand alongside this policy and Safer Recruitment and Working Practices Framework;

Following discussion and questions from the Committee the following points were made:

(g)  The policy looks to be comprehensive and well written. Members of the committee suggested that the proposed further section, Section C, be made applicable to all Councillors as well as others who are not directly employed by the Council;

(h)  Although there is no specific mention of School staff within the policy part of the overall Safer Recruitment and Working Practices Programme included a workstream to engage with schools around relevant safer recruitment practices.  The policy and framework is in line with legislation relevant to schools, for which policy updates where proposed to schools in 2015. A full briefing note can be made available for Councillors about Schools involvement in the writing of the documents;

(i)  All staff will be made aware of the main points of the policy and SRWP Framework as part of their inductions. Managers will be expected to ensure that new staff and existing staff are made aware of the Framework and it will be made part of the induction check list.  Communications and workshops/learning sessions will be arranged to cascade the message;

(j)  For existing staff there will be briefing notes sent to managers to raise within team meetings. Some key elements will be summarised for ease of access and for sharing at team meetings. A communication plan will be put in place to ensure the policy and SRWP Framework reach all staff;

RESOLVED to

1)  note the implementation of the following which have been consulted on with both mangers and the trade unions:

a.  Part A of the Framework, Safer Recruitment & Working Practices, which will provide practical guidance for all managers and employees, with specific expectations for those in front line services;

b.  Part B, Processes and Checks, which includes advice for managers in relation to safer recruitment practices at applications, interview and appointment stages; and

2)  Note the intention to add further sections to the Framework in the future to include a Relationships at Work  Policy, referred to in the framework, which is currently subject to consultations. In addition a section applicable to other workers who are not employees of the Council, such as casuals,  agency workers and consultants.