AMBIT Youth/AMBIT Youngerz – Safer Recruitment Policy

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AMBIT Youth is committed to the highest standards of safeguarding and child protection. Our safe recruitment policy ensures that all staff and volunteers working with children and young people in our programs—whether AMBIT Youth or AMBIT Youngerz Holiday Club—are suitably qualified, thoroughly vetted, fully insured, and appropriately trained.

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Our Commitment to Child Safety

We are committed to:

• Preventing the employment or engagement of anyone who poses a risk to children

• Upholding Bermuda’s Children Act 1998, Ministry of Education Guidelines, and international best practices in safeguarding

• Ensuring all staff are SCARS certified, CPD trained, and covered by comprehensive liability insurance

 

General Recruitment Standards

AMBIT Youth Ltd applies safe hiring practices to all individuals—paid or voluntary—who have regular or unsupervised access to children and teens. These include:

• Thorough identity and background checks

• Verification of qualifications and references

• Interviews with structured safeguarding questions

• Assessment of attitudes toward working with youth

 

All staff and volunteers must:

• Hold a valid SCARS (Saving Children and Revealing Secrets) certificate before beginning work

• Complete CPD-certified safeguarding training as part of their onboarding

• Be listed on our internal Single Central Record (SCR), including verification of all checks

 

Required Checks

Before assuming any role, all personnel must undergo the following mandatory checks:

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Identity - Verified using passport or photo ID and proof of address

Eligibility to Work - Confirmed through valid Bermuda work permit, PRC, or status card

Police Vetting - Police criminal record check (local and, if applicable, overseas)

References - Two verified professional references, including one from the most recent employer

Medical Fitness - Statement of good physical and mental health capacity to perform duties

Training - Valid SCARS certification and participation in CPD safeguarding induction

Insurance - All staff and volunteers are covered under AMBIT’s liability insurance policies

 

If any candidate is awaiting results (e.g., from a police check), they may not begin regulated activity until clearance is confirmed or interim supervision is in place.

 

Volunteers

All volunteers undergo proportionate screening based on the level of access to children:

• Regulated Activity: Enhanced background checks and SCARS training required

• Supervised Support Roles: Risk assessments determine the level of checks needed

Volunteers never operate unsupervised unless full clearance is confirmed. All are trained in AMBIT's safeguarding protocols.

 

Single Central Record (SCR)

AMBIT Youth maintains a confidential Single Central Record, overseen by the Service Director, containing:

• Identity verification

• Police vetting clearance dates

• SCARS certification number and issue date

• CPD training completion

• Role-based risk assessments (for volunteers)

• Employment references

This record is regularly updated and audited for compliance.

 

Supervision and Monitoring

• All staff in regulated activity are routinely supervised by senior staff

• Observations and performance reviews are conducted to ensure alignment with safeguarding responsibilities

• Any behavioral concerns trigger a review of continued suitability and may require re-screening

 

Barred Individuals

It is a criminal offense under Bermuda law to knowingly allow a barred individual to work with children. If AMBIT Youth becomes aware of such a situation, we will:

• Immediately suspend the individual

• Report the matter to the Department of Child & Family Services and relevant legal authorities

• Cooperate fully with any investigations

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Policy Enforcement

• No individual may begin working with children until all required checks are completed and documented

• Roles and job postings will clearly state that safeguarding checks are required

• The Service Director is responsible for full policy implementation and compliance across all programs

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Last Review: 7 June 2025