Children and young people taking part in the recruitment and selection process allows them to have an input into who will be working with them. For strategic or roles within services that do not have direct contact with children and young people, their attitudes and approach to children and young people can be assessed. It is also a clear way of demonstrating to candidates the importance and value the organisation places on participation.
The involvement of children and young people can include preparation of job descriptions and person specifications and contributing to the short listing before interview. It is commonplace for children and young people to take part on interview panels either alongside adults or separately.
How to involve children and young people in recruitment and selection
The participation agenda aims to involve all children and young people in all areas of their lives. This includes the recruitment and selection of the staff who support them. This How To guide provides introductory information and ideas on how to do this.
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The Recruitment Pack
Involving children and young people in the recruitment of staff
The Right Choice - Involving chidren and young people in recruitment and selection
This guide from Action for Children aims to provide an overview of the recruitment and selection process, consider why it is important to involve children and young people, and provide the basic information and techniques to do this in an inclusive and empowering way.
Training young people to take part in the recruitment process
Toolkit of how to involve children and young people in recruitment including writing adverts, job descriptions & job specifications, interview & question techniques, listening skills, how confidentiality works, equal opportunities and making decisions.
YouthCAN Recruitment & Selection Checklist
Checklist for involving children & young people in recruitment
YouthCAN Training pack for involving Children & Young People in Recruitment & Selection
Gloucestershire Interview Training Programme for Children and Young People
Involving children and young people within the interview process. NCB DVD available to view online.
Involving children and young people in recruitment and selection. This section of the Taking Part in Making Decisions: Training for 8 to 12-year-olds resource includes a series of activities for involving children and young people.
Involving young people in the recruitment of staff, volunteers and mentors. Information on developing procedures and training support needs.
A new package to develop local staff to support and train young people to conduct objective assessments of local services and support recommendations for service improvements.
