Reference requests for staff: guidance and template

Check your procedures for getting reliable references meet the expectations set out in the statutory safeguarding guidance, KCSIE. Download our template reference request form and get advice on how long to keep copies of references for.

Last reviewed on 20 June 2022
School types: All · School phases: All
Ref: 2905
Contents
  1. Check your referencing procedures meet 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 those of external candidates

Check your referencing procedures meet KCSIE expectations 

Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) sets out expectations for your reference request process. The points below are based on the guidance outlined in paragraphs 221 to 223 (pages 53 to 54).

2. Contact referees  Do:  Get a reference from the candidate’s current employer (or, if they're not currently employed, from 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

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