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Reference requests for staff: guidance and template

Check that your procedures for getting references when hiring staff comply with statutory safeguarding guidance. Download our template reference request form and get advice on how long to keep copies of references for.

Last reviewed on 31 March 2025See updates
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Contents
  1. Check your referencing process meets KCSIE expectations 
  2. Use our template reference request form to contact employers
  3. Candidates can refuse to give references before an interview
  4. How long to keep references for
  5. Treat internal candidates' references the same as external candidates

Check your referencing process meets KCSIE expectations 

The points below are based on paragraphs 227 to 229 of Keeping Children Safe in Education 2024 (KCSIE).

2. Contact referees  Do:  Get a reference from the candidate’s current employer (if they're not currently employed, ask their most recent place of employment) Get a reference from the employer where the candidate last worked with children, if they're not currently working with children. If the candidate has never