New Starter Pack Welcome Letter

Welcome, and thank you for joining us at The Platform Project.

Please send all required information to info@PlatformProject.co.uk.

We aim to keep paperwork to a minimum, but for governance and compliance purposes we require the following before you can start:

INITIAL DOCUMENTS WE NEED:

⃝             Personal Details: Complete a New Starter Details form so we can add you to our systems, allocate an MS licence/Platform Project email account, and set you up on our HR and student systems.

⃝             Tax & Payments: We require a completed HMRC New Starter Checklist to set up your payroll and process payments. Please also provide a copy of your P45, if you have one.

⃝             ID: Please show us in person 2 pieces of ID (Passport, Driving Licence, or Birth Certificate) & 1 document for proof of address (eg utility bill) that we can keep a copy of. These pieces of ID need to be the same items you use when you complete your DBS check online (see below).

⃝             Right to Work: We are required to verify your right to work in the UK. A British passport will satisfy this requirement. If you do not have a British passport, additional checks will be required before you can start.

⃝             ID Card Photo: Please send a digital, approximately square headshot for your ID badge.

⃝             Qualifications: If relevant, provide copies of any therapeutic qualifications or evidence of qualifications currently in progress.

⃝             Car/Driving licence: As this role involves transporting young people, we require your driving licence details, MOT, tax, and proof of business-use insurance. If available, please also provide your V5C and current service record.

THE CHECKS WE UNDERTAKE:

⃝             DBS: If you are registered with the DBS Update Service, please bring your original certificate for verification and complete the consent form to allow us to carry out the check.

If you are not with the DBS Update Service, you will receive an email with instructions for completing your DBS check. You will need to enter your address and ID details online using the same ID documents provided to us. Once completed, we will validate your ID and the DBS certificate is usually issued within two weeks. As the certificate is sent directly to you, please arrange a time to bring it into the office so we can take a copy. You cannot start work until your DBS check has been returned, so please prioritise this. If you have a DBS certificate issued within the last three years, we can use this to support your start date while our own DBS check is completed.

⃝             References: As part of our safer recruitment process, you must provide details of two suitable referees who can comment on your work in a professional capacity. One should be from your current or most recent employer, and one should be able to comment on any work with children and young people (where applicable). Friends and family are not acceptable referees. If you cannot meet these requirements, please let us know by email so alternative references can be discussed.

THE TRAINING / READING WE NEED YOU TO DO:

⃝             Contract: Once all checks have been completed, we will send your contract or agreement. We require two signed copies, one of which will be returned to you for your records.

⃝             General Policies: All company policies are available on our website: https://www.platformproject.co.uk/our-policies  Please take some time to familiarise yourself with them.

⃝             Safeguarding Policy: It is essential that everyone working with us reads the Safeguarding Policy before starting. This can be accessed via the link above.

⃝             Safeguarding Training: All delivery staff must hold a Level 2 Safeguarding Children certificate, renewed every three years. If you hold a valid certificate issued within the last three years, please provide a copy. If not, this training must be completed before you can start. We recommend the Level 2 course available here: https://hsqe.co.uk/courses/safeguarding-children-advanced/  The cost of the training can be claimed back once you start through the expenses process.

⃝             Prevent Training: You must complete the free Government Prevent training course before you can start. This ensures staff and freelancers understand their role in preventing extremism and terrorism. The course is available here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/prevent-duty-training  (Part 1 only).

⃝             Paediatric First Aid Training: You must hold a current Paediatric First Aid qualification. If you already have one, please send us a copy of your certificate. If not, let us know and we will provide details of upcoming training dates.

Once all checks, training and paperwork have been completed, we will issue your contract and IT logins ready for your first day and induction.