What Counts as a Professional Character Reference?

At Flourish Education, we are committed to maintaining the highest standards when it comes to safeguarding and compliance. As part of our recruitment process, all candidates are required to provide a professional character reference.

Your referee must either:

  • Work in (or be retired from) a recognised profession, or
  • Be considered a person of good standing in their community

This ensures that we receive a reliable and trustworthy assessment of your character, professionalism, and suitability to work within an education setting.

Character Reference Requirements

To be accepted, a character reference must meet the following criteria:

  • Have known you for at least 3 years
  • Work in (or be retired from) a recognised profession

Your referee must not:

  • Be closely related to you by birth or marriage
  • Be involved in a romantic relationship with you
  • Live at the same address as you

We require this information to ensure your reference is impartial, credible, and able to give a fair representation of your character.

Accepted Occupations for Professional Character References

Below is a comprehensive list of occupations that are accepted as professional character referees. These individuals must either be currently employed in one of the professions listed or be retired from it.

Recognised Professions Include:

  • Accountant
  • Airline Pilot
  • Articled Clerk of a Limited Company
  • Assurance Agent of a Recognised Company
  • Bank or Building Society Official
  • Barrister
  • Chairman or Director of a Limited Company
  • Chiropodist
  • Commissioner for Oaths
  • Councillor (Local or County)
  • Civil Servant (Permanent)
  • Dentist
  • Director, Manager or Personnel Officer of a VAT-Registered Company
  • Engineer with Professional Qualifications
  • Financial Services Intermediary (e.g. Stockbroker or Insurance Broker)
  • Fire Service Official
  • Funeral Director
  • Insurance Agent (Full-Time) of a Recognised Company
  • Journalist
  • Justice of the Peace
  • Legal Secretary (Fellow or Associate Member of the Institute of Legal Secretaries and PAs)
  • Licensee of a Public House
  • Local Government Officer
  • Manager or Personnel Officer of a Limited Company
  • Member, Associate, or Fellow of a Professional Body
  • Member of Parliament
  • Merchant Navy Officer
  • Minister of a Recognised Religion (including Christian Science)
  • Nurse (RGN or RMN)
  • Officer of the Armed Services
  • Optician
  • Paralegal (Certified Paralegal, Qualified Paralegal, or Associate Member of the Institute of Paralegals)
  • Person with Honours (e.g. OBE or MBE)
  • Pharmacist
  • Photographer (Professional)
  • Police Officer
  • Post Office Official
  • President or Secretary of a Recognised Organisation
  • Salvation Army Officer
  • Social Worker
  • Solicitor
  • Surveyor
  • Teacher or Lecturer
  • Trade Union Officer
  • Travel Agent (Qualified)
  • Valuer or Auctioneer (Fellow or Associate Member of the Incorporated Society)
  • Warrant Officer or Chief Petty Officer

Not Sure If Your Referee Qualifies?

If you're uncertain whether your chosen referee meets our criteria, please contact our Compliance Team on 0300 303 3227. We’re here to help guide you through the process and ensure that your references meet all necessary requirements.