Last referee needed, not getting in touch

Hi guys,

I've been offered a job by the NHS. I was called a month ago and told that they would like to offer me it and that they will start the DBS check and reference checks. The two references I have supplied have emailed back immediately but I was then contacted by HR and told that I need a referee from all of the jobs I listed in my work history. I supplied them with this information. and now one of them (an agency) is not returning emails or phone calls. I don't know what to do. I worry that the NHS will take the offer back. I have contacted the manager and told her the situation. I am keeping in touch with HR and I'm constantly emailing the agency and calling but nothing is happening. Any advice on what to do next?

I'd first talk to the HR department at the job you are after to see what their requirements are and if there are options / other alternatives you can suggest e.g. a personal reference in lieu of this one. Otherwise, can you not talk to the last place you temped at through the agency for the reference, as another option?

It's a matter of raising the issue and working through alternatives to find a reasonable resolution.

I do find it amazing that they would need references from every workplace. I think it would be impossible for a lot of people. Some work places I have been at refuse to give references, other than to confirm employment during X period. Also, people move and people die. How could one find them for a reference for what one did X years ago?     

I'd first talk to the HR department at the job you are after to see what their requirements are and if there are options / other alternatives you can suggest e.g. a personal reference in lieu of this one. Otherwise, can you not talk to the last place you temped at through the agency for the reference, as another option?

It's a matter of raising the issue and working through alternatives to find a reasonable resolution.

I do find it amazing that they would need references from every workplace. I think it would be impossible for a lot of people. Some work places I have been at refuse to give references, other than to confirm employment during X period. Also, people move and people die. How could one find them for a reference for what one did X years ago?    

Thanks for that.

I have now sorted the reference problems out thank god. Just waiting for them to check them over and tell me the start date.

Fingers crossed it goes well. Is it in forensic psychology?

Hope it all pans out for your GibbyGab! 

Thanks guys. Mapleleafgirl72, it's in clinical psychology :-).

I'm now being asked to supply a CRB equivalent from the U.S. I don't even know which form that is or how to get it. I'm being told to just Google it and find out :/ there are loads of websites online about it but I don't want to type in my personal information into any old website.

Perfect! You're using your training! You are still in Kent, yes?

More information about what were CRB checks in the UK here:
https://www.gov.uk/disclosure-barring-service-check/overview

What states have you been resident in?

About overseas checks, information can be found here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/criminal-records-checks-for-overseas-applicants

From the guidance above, you may want to start with the US Embassy in London:
http://london.usembassy.gov/cons_new/acs/scs/criminal_records_checks.html

Hope that helps. Good luck! 

Perfect! You're using your training! You are still in Kent, yes?

More information about what were CRB checks in the UK here:
https://www.gov.uk/disclosure-barring-service-check/overview

What states have you been resident in?

About overseas checks, information can be found here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/criminal-records-checks-for-overseas-applicants

From the guidance above, you may want to start with the US Embassy in London:
http://london.usembassy.gov/cons_new/acs/scs/criminal_records_checks.html

Hope that helps. Good luck! 

Thank you very much. From the looks of it I need to go get finger prints completed but I have no idea where I'm able to get those done? It doesn't make it clear on the links. They tend to take me to irrelevant pages.

The US Embassy link says:
http://london.usembassy.gov/cons_new/acs/scs/criminal_records_checks.html

'You may contact the National Fingerprint Centre at New Scotland Yard for assistance (http://www.met.police.uk/sco/specialist_units/fingerprint_services.htm).'

I then searched fingerprint and found:
http://content.met.police.uk/Site/fingerprints

The pages aren't irrelevant: you just need to dig a little, as the page name seems to have changed.

Thanks M. I've dug around and found an email to ask where I should go for the prints. They've emailed me back and gave me someone else to email. Hopefully today I will know where to go and get these done.

Thanks M. I've dug around and found an email to ask where I should go for the prints. They've emailed me back and gave me someone else to email. Hopefully today I will know where to go and get these done.

Looks like you're getting somewhere! Let us know how you get on.

Have you moved again? Kent is nice, but Norfolk is lovely as well.

Thanks M. I've dug around and found an email to ask where I should go for the prints. They've emailed me back and gave me someone else to email. Hopefully today I will know where to go and get these done.

It sounds like you've got it figured out, but just in case - your local UK police might be able to take your fingerprints.  I needed an FBI check a few years ago, and had my local police in the UK do the fingerprinting before sending the form off to the FBI in the US.

Yes I finally got it done. I ended up going to a local police station as well. It was a very simple process. Now just waiting for the clearance.

Yes I finally got it done. I ended up going to a local police station as well. It was a very simple process. Now just waiting for the clearance.

Let us know how you get on. Getting there! 

Let us know how you get on. Getting there! 

All clear now and I've started working :-). The new job is great, I love it.