Adult social care

Reference evidence that stands up at inspection

In adult social care a reference is not paperwork — it is the evidence of conduct you are relying on. PreHire verifies the referee behind it and produces a record you can file.

What the regulation asks for

Regulation 19 requires that people employed are of good character and that the information specified in Schedule 3 is available. Schedule 3 includes satisfactory evidence of conduct in previous employment concerned with health or social care, or with children or vulnerable adults.

A recurring inspection finding is not that documents are missing, but that files do not clearly show concerns were considered and resolved before employment began. That is a record-keeping problem as much as a checking one.

Where a returned form falls short

The address is personal, not the employer’s

A reply from a free webmail account is not, by itself, evidence of anything — but you should know it, and it should be on the file.

The employer cannot be found

A company that is dissolved, or cannot be traced at Companies House, is worth knowing before appointment rather than after.

The dates do not agree

When a candidate and a referee give different dates, the discrepancy itself is the finding. We show both values.

What you get on file

Questions from registered managers

What does CQC require for references?
Regulation 19 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014 requires that people employed are of good character and that the information in Schedule 3 is available. Schedule 3 includes satisfactory evidence of conduct in previous employment concerned with the provision of services relating to health or social care, or with children or vulnerable adults.
What if a previous employer only confirms dates?
CQC recognises that some organisations will only confirm dates of employment. Where that happens a provider is expected to make every effort to obtain further information about the person’s character, skills and experience, assess any risk, and ensure appropriate supervision until competence is demonstrated. A record showing that effort is what matters at inspection.
Is a completed reference form enough?
A completed form shows a reference was returned. It does not establish who returned it. Where a reference is the evidence of conduct being relied on, the identity of the referee is part of what makes it evidence.
How does PreHire help at inspection?
Every check produces a timestamped record: who was contacted, when, what came back, what could be confirmed against an independent source, and what could not. That record is designed to be filed as part of the recruitment file.
See a sample reportStart a check

This page describes PreHire’s understanding of the requirements and is not legal or regulatory advice. Providers remain responsible for their own compliance. Source: Regulation 19 and Schedule 3, Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014.