The education sector has been facing recruitment challenges for the past few years. A combination of budget constraints and the lack of resources required for the rigorous policies and procedures required for recruiting new staff mean that for a school to hire a new person they need to ensure that the result of hiring is successful. The ideal candidate must meet a certain standard and its crucial for them to be the right fit after starting.
In this article we will discuss the key procedures schools need to be aware of when it comes to hiring new support staff and how LMP Education and apprenticeships can help make the recruitment process simpler.
Interview and selection
When recruiting in any sector but especially in the education sector it’s crucial that the right questions are asked, and that the candidate gets the opportunity to showcase their relevant skills. The interview stage will typically centre around reviewing pedagogy skills and may involve an observation in the classroom.
It is vital that the application and selection stage is done in line with the Equality Act 2010 and is in line with the appropriate safeguarding policies to ensure the safety of the interviewee, pupils and staff.
Background checks
As part of the school’s safeguarding policies, an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check must be performed. This is to assess the suitability of the candidate for working with children.
Trail periods
Once a candidate is selected, it is recommended to hold a trail period for their employment to ensure their suitability. This time can be used for teaching observations and allowing the new staff member to demonstrate their teaching abilities.
New employer incentives for hiring apprentices
As part of the most recent apprenticeship reform, hiring incentives were introduced to encourage employers to hire apprentices using the Growth and Skills Levy. Employers in England are now offered up to £3,000 for hiring young talent aged 16-24 (if on Universal Credit) and £2,000 for SMEs taking on apprentices.
These incentives are added to the existing National Insurance Contribution (NIC) exemption that has been available since 2024. This exemption states that employers do not need to pay NIC for apprentices under the age of 25.
LMP Education funded recruitment services
LMP Education is an award-winning apprenticeship provider that offers a range of Growth and Skills levy support for organisations across a variety of sectors. Alongside our levy utilisation strategy support that we offer, we can also support your organisation through recruitment services helping you find the right candidate for your position. All our services are fully funded and at no cost to your organisation.
To learn more about how we can support your organisation, book a free consultation with the LMP team today!
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