No referees

elsien

Of standing in the community just means someone who is of good character, hasn't got a criminal record and who doesn't have anything else going on that might create doubt over their judgement. It doesn't have to be someone with a professional qualification. 
I'd be tempted to find someone who you think they may accept, bung the application in anyway, then have the discussion around referees as and when you get to interview. 
Do you know your local councillor? Someone who has a job that requires their own DBS? I used a retired teacher for mine in a similar situation - she didn't know me well but she could confirm I was who I said I was and that I was unlikely to be running off with the petty cash. Which is mainly what they are looking for. 

fluffymuffy

Thanks. I don't know my local councillor. Or anyone. It needs to be someone who has known me for 3 years. I don't think it is going to be possible. 

diystarter7

elsien said:

Of standing in the community just means someone who is of good character, hasn't got a criminal record and who doesn't have anything else going on that might create doubt over their judgement. It doesn't have to be someone with a professional qualification. 
I'd be tempted to find someone who you think they may accept, bung the application in anyway, then have the discussion around referees as and when you get to interview. 
Do you know your local councillor? Someone who has a job that requires their own DBS? I used a retired teacher for mine in a similar situation - she didn't know me well but she could confirm I was who I said I was and that I was unlikely to be running off with the petty cash. Which is mainly what they are looking for. 

The highlighted bit. Are you saying that people with historic, minor convictions that were spent donkey's years cannot give references of the nature you reference to?


OP, if it's not "possible", phone them and seek advice before returning the application as I'm sure you are not alone and they will advise/help. NB: Having read your posts after my intial post, the guidance you mention is a professional reference

As per the previous post, seek GP and do call your next job app people to check who else they may accept otherwise you may not pass the first stage. As per my previous post possibly a manger you may have had at DWP?

Best thing is call the company and as many i your postion I guess

Good luck

fluffymuffy

Thanks. The GP is a good idea. Perhaps there's some scheme to help people out of social isolation. The last person I spoke to who wasn't immediate family was my GP - nearly a year ago.

diystarter7

fluffymuffy said:

Thanks. The GP is a good idea. Perhaps there's some scheme to help people out of social isolation. The last person I spoke to who wasn't immediate family was my GP - nearly a year ago.

Don't forget, there are others like you out of work, don't know people of the status required in a reference, therefore seek guidance from the place you intend to apply to.

Thnaks

Abby1984

How are you supposed to ask your GP when it is next to impossible to even get through to your local surgery to make an appointment? And when you do get through no appointments are available. 

ChasingtheWelshdream

I work for a government organisation, vetting applicants and obtaining references. Although not NHS, I imagine the process is similar.

Please do not be put off applying. Many of our successful applicants put down ‘incorrect’ referees that don’t comply with our requirements. By the time they reach my department, they have already been appointed to the role and we are simply checking they are as honest and reliable as they say (different requirements for different roles admittedly). Eg, they did work where they said and were not sacked for fraud etc.

We often call applicants to discuss their referees, and just as often make suggestions for more suitable referees. It isn’t unheard of for someone to list no referees but still get appointed as the best applicant. We then just make contact with them and get the info we need to move forwards.

Unemployment and/or self-employment generally means we ask for a character reference- ‘professional’ people, previous clients, ‘community’ people. As long as they are not family or friends. It is incredibly rare that we can’t find a way around it.

Honestly, many of our cleaners have little employment history as the roles tend to suit those either returning to work or just starting out. Our  job isn’t to stop them joining us!

There will be a way I am sure. Unless the application physically won’t submit without a referee, apply anyway and discuss at interview. If the application form needs something, put ‘available on request’, and again wait until the interview.

I wish you best of luck and am happy if you wanted to pm me for some further referee advice. 

fluffymuffy

Thanks!  That's really encouraging.

TBagpuss

Abby1984 said:

How are you supposed to ask your GP when it is next to impossible to even get through to your local surgery to make an appointment? And when you do get through no appointments are available. 

You could write them a letter

TBagpuss

What type of work were you doing when you were self employed? 
Is there a client who you might be able to use?

You could also apply even though you haven't got someone who meets the criteria and explain the issue if you get an interview.