Recruitment and Selection

PILLAR 02

Recruitment & Selection

In Ireland, organisations are required to have policies and procedures for recruitment of workers. Recruiting the right people to work with participants is a critical safeguard to have in place. The individuals who identify and select the youth workers, host families, teachers and support personnel play a vital role in the safeguarding process. All staff and volunteers who work on these projects are gatekeepers, as they all have a responsibility to report to a superior if they observe someone acting inappropriately with a young person.

From an equality and rights basis, organisations need to ensure that all participants have an equal opportunity to participate in a project. They also need to ensure that the project is suitable for the participants. Good processes must be in place to ensure that the selection process for participants is appropriate to the age and understanding of the participant. The table below provides some advice that can support the selection process and to safeguard potential participants.

Invest time

in the selection process

Clearly explain

what the project is Use an application process that is easy to follow

Consider whether the project is connected to other aspects of their lives

Inform them of some of the risks before they sign up Support them to identify any fears/ anxieties they have Connect them with someone they trust

Give them

responsibilities

during the selection process Inform them of the work that is involved

Have an open and honest selection process Mind the ones who are not selected

Involve parents

in the process