PassQ

Guides & insights for education recruitment

Practical advice on reference checking, KCSIE compliance, safeguarding, and placing candidates faster.

Guides

How to Automate Reference Checks in Education R...

Latest

How to Automate Reference Checks in Education Recruitment

Most education recruitment agencies are doing reference checks the same way they did ten years ago. The problem isn't the people doing the chasing. It's that the whole process depends on memory and individual effort at every step.

Dan·1 April 2026·6 min read
Guides

What to Actually Look for in Reference Checking Software (UK Education)

Most reference checking software was built for enterprise HR teams. The compliance requirements for UK education agencies are different. Here's what the main options actually offer.

1 April 2026 · 5 min read

References

The Cost of Manual Reference Checking (and How to Calculate Yours)

Nobody sits down and calculates what reference chasing costs them. They know it takes time. They know it causes delays. But most agencies never work out the actual number.

1 April 2026 · 5 min read

References

Why Referees Don't Respond to Reference Requests (and What to Do About It)

You sent the reference request four days ago. Nothing back. The school is asking for an update. The candidate is asking for an update. Most of the reasons this happens are completely avoidable.

1 April 2026 · 7 min read

Compliance

Safer Recruitment References: What Education Agencies Need to Know

Safer recruitment isn't a single check. It's a process. References are the piece that takes longest and causes the most delays. They're also the piece that gets scrutinised hardest when things go wrong.

1 April 2026 · 6 min read

Guides

How to Check References for Teachers: A Step-by-Step Guide

Checking references for a supply teacher isn't the same as a standard employment reference check. The regulatory context is different, the people you're contacting are different, and the stakes are higher.

1 April 2026 · 6 min read

References

How Long Does a Reference Check Take? (And How to Speed It Up)

In education recruitment, a reference check takes around 7 working days on average. When things don't go well, which is often, you're looking at two weeks. Here's why, and what actually speeds it up.

15 March 2026 · 6 min read

Compliance

What KCSiE Says About References (And What That Means for Your Agency)

Everyone in education recruitment knows references are required. Ask what KCSiE actually says and the answers get vague. Here's what it actually requires, no paraphrasing, just the rules and what they mean in practice.

15 March 2026 · 7 min read

Guides

Reference Chasing: How to Get References Back Without Losing Your Mind

The candidate is ready. The school is waiting. Somewhere in a headteacher's inbox is an email that hasn't been opened in five days. Here's what actually works.

15 March 2026 · 7 min read

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