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Organisations that provide services to children are required to incorporate into their recruitment and selection procedures measures that help deter, reject or identify people who might abuse children, or otherwise be unsuited to work with them. 

Making safeguarding and promotion of the welfare of children an integral part of human resources management in organisations that work with children is an essential part of creating safe environments.

Following the 2004 Bichard Inquiry Report there are legal duties on schools, FE colleges and a wide range of partner organisations to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.

For schools, Bichard specifically recommended that:

• Head teachers and school governors should receive training on how to ensure that interviews to appoint staff reflect the importance of safeguarding children
• No interview panel to appoint staff working in schools and colleges should be convened without at least one member being properly trained