Karen Thompson

Head of Recruitment and Safeguarding @Academic Appointments Ltd

Leeds, GB

I currently lead the \'Candidate & Compliance Team\'. Together we search for potential candidates, meet with them face to face and ensure all compliance checks are carried out on all our staff. My responsibilities include searching for, then meeting with, support staff (including administrators, cover supervisors, teaching assistants and behaviour support workers), teachers (Early Years, Primary and Secondary qualified) and educational leaders. I spend time getting to know teachers and support staff so we can find them the role that meets their needs and utilise their skills. On a daily basis I meet teachers and support staff from all sectors. I work closely with them, getting to know exactly what it is they are looking for, using the Teachers\' Standards and meeting with them face to face helps build a picture of them as a professional and an individual. I liaise with our consultants to ensure teachers and support staff are placed in the school/setting that is right for them. I ensure all compliance checks are carried out so that I know that every member of staff we place in a school or educational setting is safe to do so. Giving peace of mind for all. I organise and run a range of CPD for candidates and deal with all safeguarding issues.