3. Job Description and Person Specification

The job description and person specification are both very important in the recruitment process. Consistent templates for both the job description and the person specification should be used throughout the process.

The job description sets out what you are seeking in terms of professional standards and the main details of the role:

Title of post
Location
Who the person reports to
Purpose of the post
Main responsibilities
Salary
Probationary period
Responsibility towards safeguarding

The person specification lists the essential and desirable criteria for the post and also has an additional function in supporting the short-listing process. It sets out the personal qualities, behaviours and attitudes towards safeguarding that an applicant will need to demonstrate to carry out the role.

Please see the following examples:

Please note: This guidance has been developed to highlight the importance of safeguarding issues; it is likely that there will be other areas relating to your setting that would need to be included. The sample job descriptions and person specifications are EXAMPLES and have not been developed to reflect your setting - PLEASE DO NOT COPY THE EXAMPLES.