The South Gloucestershire Youth Forum have produced a checklist for involving young people in the Recruitment and Selection process. Its aim is to help adults ensure that they are engaging young people appropriately and meeting their needs.
The Forum identified several areas that need to be addressed, as follows:
- Making sure the process is appropriate for young people
- Ensuring communication systems are in place
- Equality of access for young people
- Ensuring young people are supported through the process
- Making sure the process is relevant
- Recognition of young peoples contribution
These areas are further broken down into actions as detailed:
Checklist for involving young people in the Recruitment and Selection Process
Be Appropriate
- Arrange transport and refreshments
- Suitable venue
- Suitable timing (preferably outside of school hours)
Communication
- Enough advance notice (at least three weeks)
- Brief young people about the job post and interview process
- Keep young people informed
- Make sure you debrief and feedback after the process
Equality
- Appropriate venue (consider access needs of young people)
- Equal voting rights in decisions
- Same young people to be involved throughout the process
Support
- Provide training where applicable
Relevancy
- Make it relevant for children and young people, e.g. include an activity or presentation young people can engage with
Recognition
- Accredit young peoples achievements
- Letter of appreciation
The Recruitment and Selection Process
- Young people to be part of the Interview panel as a minimum (where the post requires contact with children and young people). Where possible, young people could be involved in the process from start to finish.
- Involve young people in reviewing or designing job description/job summary/additional information
- Involve young people in shortlisting
- Young people are involved in designing their questions for interviews
- Ensure young people have equal voting rights when the decision is taken as to who is offered employment
- Ensure young people feel that their views are taken into account otherwise the process will feel tokenistic for them
- Ensure that the young person is debrief and feedback given after the process