Candidate standards
What verified means here.
Every file a family sees has been through the same process. Nothing is taken on trust.
Before a shortlist
10 steps, in order.
Step 01
Application screening
Against a written role description and the child-support profile.
Step 02
Qualification verification
Confirmed directly with the awarding institution, not from a scan.
Step 03
Identity
Identity documents checked and authenticated.
Step 04
Work history
Gaps explained, previous families, schools and centres contacted.
Step 05
References
At least two, spoken to by phone or video, notes kept.
Step 06
Background checks
Criminal-record and other checks where they are available to the individual, obtained with the candidate's consent.
Step 07
Safeguarding interview
A structured interview on boundaries, disclosure, reporting and conduct.
Step 08
Special-needs competency interview and scenario testing
Real situations, discussed in detail, scored.
Step 09
Language assessment
English always; Hindi and other languages where offered.
Step 10
Observed practice
For practitioners from our training programme, a session watched by a supervisor.
- Checks before a family sees a name
- 10Checks before a family sees a name
- References spoken to, not collected
- 2+References spoken to, not collected
- Point score, with the reasoning shown
- 100Point score, with the reasoning shown
- Reviews after placement
- 3Reviews after placement
How candidates are scored
A score, and the reasoning.
Each candidate is scored out of one hundred across special-needs experience, educational qualifications, safeguarding knowledge, communication, classroom and household professionalism, language, references, stability and reliability. Families see the score and the reasoning, not just a name.
After placement
The checking does not stop.
After placement: a trial period, first-week, thirty-day and ninety-day reviews, monthly reporting, and a documented replacement procedure.