Pre - Employment Checks

References

The purpose of a reference is to gain factual information about a candidate to validate their employment record. Most good / major employers will insist on a reference from your most recent senior / line manager. If you are worried that you may not receive a good reference, do not try to mislead your potential new employer by not quoting your most recent manager for a reference - it is likely they will query it. We cannot accept references from relatives.

You should always let people know if you have quoted them as a referee. It is good manners, creates a good impression and therefore encourages a favourable opinion.  It will also give you an opportunity to ask what kind of reference you could expect, if you do have doubts.

References are usually requested prior to interview (providing permission has been given on the application form) but sometimes are requested after an interview only for the successful candidate(s).

Medical Clearance

All new entrants in the Council are required to complete a pre-employment medical questionnaire. This process is completely confidential and the information you put on the questionnaire will only be seen by the Occupational Health Section.  In some cases you may be requested to meet with the Council's Occupational Health Adviser to provide further information.

CRB Check

If the post you are applying for is subject to a disclosure check do not be tempted to skimp on the truth.  If you have any kind of police record, even minor, and some categories of 'spent' issues, must be declared. Where posts require disclosure checks they will always be pursued, therefore your police record will be discovered when the police return the details to us. If you have not declared any warnings or convictions already, you have given a very poor impression of the accuracy of your application, which will be difficult to justify.

If you have lived overseas in the past 5 years or were born overseas please be aware that you will need to undertake an overseas police check in the relevant country.

Qualification Checks

If the post you are applying for requires a qualification, you will be asked to produce evidence i.e. a certificate to say you are qualified for the job. Qualifications will normally be checked at interview so have any certificates ready to show the panel.

Some posts within Social Work require you to be registered with the General Social Care Council. Also, for Care posts (e.g. Care Worker, (Senior) Care Officer, Care Manager), an NVQ Level 2, 3 or 4 is required, depending on the level of post applied for. However, you can be offered the post subject to completing the relevant qualification within 18months (funded by NELC).