Safer recruitment training: statutory requirements

At least 1 member of a selection panel must have completed safer recruitment training. Understand what the training should cover and how often it should be refreshed. We also point you to our safer recruitment eLearning.

Last reviewed on 25 October 2022
See updates
School types: All · School phases: All
Ref: 4786
Contents
  1. Statutory requirements
  2. Take our online training 
  3. Refresher training is recommended

Statutory requirements

Maintained schools

Governing boards of maintained schools must make sure that at least 1 person on the panel conducting an interview has undertaken safer recruitment training. This is set out on page 51 of Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE 2022), the statutory safeguarding guidance.

This doesn't have to be a governor, but at least 1 governor should be trained in safer recruitment because:

  • It will be necessary if your board has to recruit a new headteacher
  • It's useful to have a governor who can step in if the trained person on a recruitment panel can't take part for any reason

One Education recommended this.

Academies

The requirement doesn't apply to academies, but you should make sure that those involved with recruiting and employing staff to work with children have received appropriate safer recruitment training.

This is covered on page 51 of KCSIE and page 13 of non-statutory guidance on staffing

At a minimum, training should cover part 3 of KCSIE (see page 51 of KCSIE).  It's up