Safe Recruitment & Onboarding Statement
At Indiana Healthcare Services, safe recruitment and thorough onboarding are our first line of defence in protecting the health, safety and wellbeing of every person we support. Every step of our recruitment and onboarding process is designed to ensure we employ the most suitable, qualified and trustworthy people — and that all applicants are treated fairly, equally and with respect throughout.
Our Commitment
We follow all relevant employment legislation, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) Regulation 19: Fit and Proper Persons Employed, the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014, the Equality Act 2010, and UK GDPR data protection standards. Our procedures are regularly reviewed to reflect changes in law and best practice, ensuring we meet and exceed regulatory expectations.
We are committed to values-based recruitment, meaning we look beyond qualifications and experience — we seek people who share our core values of Compassion, Integrity, Respect, Collaboration, Excellence, Empowerment and Continuous Learning.
Our Recruitment Process
Fair & Transparent Advertising
We advertise vacancies across a wide range of channels — online job boards, our website, social media, local job centres and community networks — to reach a diverse pool of candidates. We encourage internal career progression and ensure all job descriptions and person specifications clearly outline duties, essential requirements and desirable skills.
Equal Opportunities
We recruit solely on ability, merit and suitability for the role. No applicant will receive less favourable treatment on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, race, disability, age, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, or pregnancy and maternity. We comply fully with the Accessible Information Standard and make reasonable adjustments to ensure our recruitment process is accessible to all, including people with disabilities or learning difficulties.
Rigorous Pre-Employment Checks
Before any offer is confirmed, we complete a full set of mandatory checks:
- Enhanced DBS disclosure (including adult workforce barred list check) for all roles involving service user contact
- Full employment history verification with references from recent and relevant previous employers — at least one professional reference confirming good character
- Qualification verification — original certificates checked and validated
- Identity verification — original photographic ID, National Insurance number and proof of address verified in person or via secure video verification
- Right to work in the UK check — carried out in line with Home Office guidance before employment begins
- Good character assessment — including gaps in employment explained and reviewed, and risk assessments completed where necessary
We do not accept photocopies or scanned documents for primary verification — only original documents are verified.
Interviews & Selection
Interviews are structured, fair and based on clear criteria. We welcome the involvement of service users, families and carers in shaping our questions and participating in panels, ensuring we recruit people who truly understand and reflect the needs of those we support. We ask health questions only to assess ability to perform essential, intrinsic duties of the role, in line with Government Equalities Office guidance.
Our Onboarding Process
Conditional Offers & Clearance
All employment offers are conditional upon satisfactory completion of every required check, including DBS clearance. Where a DBS certificate is delayed, a new starter may only begin work under direct, continuous supervision while a formal risk assessment is in place — and must complete full induction training before undertaking any unsupervised duties.
Comprehensive Induction & Training
Onboarding does not stop at checks. Every new team member receives a full induction covering:
- Safeguarding adults and whistleblowing
- Health and safety, infection prevention and control
- Our values, policies and procedures
- Role-specific training and ongoing professional development
- Supervision arrangements and regular review processes
We ensure every colleague understands their responsibilities, knows how to raise concerns, and receives the training and support they need to deliver safe, high-quality care.
Ongoing Monitoring
Our commitment to safe practice continues after appointment. All staff receive regular supervision, appraisal and training updates. We maintain accurate, secure records and ensure re-checks are carried out where required — including right-to-work reviews and DBS updates.
Our Promise
We will never compromise on safety. Every person joining Indiana Healthcare Services is vetted, trained and supported to the highest standards. Safe recruitment and onboarding are not just procedures — they are the foundation of the trust placed in us by the people we support, their families and our community.
If you have questions about our recruitment or onboarding process, please contact our recruitment team at jobs@indianahealthcare.co.uk.
This statement reflects our Recruitment and Selection Policy V8.0, published and reviewed July 2026. Indiana Healthcare Services, 2 Hyde Park Road, Plymouth, Devon PL3 4RJ.