Induction and professional practice
Employees must receive the role-specific information, training and guidance needed to carry out their responsibilities safely, effectively and confidently.
Role specific responsibilities
Employees should be clear about:
- Their job role and key responsibilities
- Expected standards of performance and conduct
- Their probationary objectives and expectations
- How their performance will be monitored and reviewed
Safeguarding
Employees must understand:
- The setting's safeguarding and child protection procedures
- Their individual safeguarding responsibilities
- How to recognise signs and indicators of abuse or neglect
- How to record, report and escalate concerns
- Whistleblowing procedures
Health, safety and welfare
Employees should be familiar with:
- Health and safety procedures
- Fire safety and evacuation arrangements
- Emergency procedures
- Accident, incident and medication procedures
- Safe supervision of children and staff
- Risk assessment processes
Policies and procedures
Employees should be introduced to key policies and procedures, including:
- Safeguarding and child protection
- Behaviour management
- Equality, diversity and inclusion
- Confidentiality and information governance
- Data protection and UK GDPR
- Health and safety
- Mobile phone and wearable technology, including smartwatches
- Social media
- Staff code of conduct
Early years and childcare practice
Where applicable, employees should understand:
- The Early Years Foundation Stage requirements relevant to their role
- Observation, assessment and planning processes
- How to record children’s progress
- How to support children with additional needs
- Partnership working with parents and carers
- Partnership working with other professionals
Professional standards
Employees should understand expectations relating to:
- Dress code and appearance, including jewellery
- Professional boundaries
- Use of mobile phones and wearable technology
- Social media use
- Confidentiality requirements.
Training, supervision and professional development
Employees should be informed about:
- Mandatory training requirements
- Induction training timescale
- Supervision arrangements
- Appraisal processes
- Peer observations and reflective practice
- Continuing professional development opportunities
- Access to coaching, mentoring and other support
Outcome of the induction
By the end of the induction period, employees should:
- Feel welcomed and supported within the organisation
- Understand their role and responsibilities
- Be aware of key policies, procedures and expectations
- Know how to keep children safe and promote their welfare
- Know where to seek support and guidance
- Be equipped to carry out their role safely, effectively and confidently