Hi Steven

Three things come to mind regarding references:
1) ensure you are compliant with the relevant legislation e.g. the relevant schools regs and data protection;
2) be clear in your policies what you are going to share e.g. detail in your disciplinary policy what information will be included on a reference;
3) make it explicitly clear who is authorised to provide an employment reference on behalf of the organisation e.g. a class teacher or YTL are unlikely to be able to provide an employment reference as they are not privvy to colleagues' employment record, thus, any reference provided could be misleading and not in line with 1 and 2 above.

No matter the guidance, leaders will always do what they want, be it in writing or via the phone. By ensuring our advice is backed by legislation and policy, it makies it easier to pin point why we are saying what we are saying, and raising any breaches, particularly data breaches, should we need to higher up the chain.

Rgds
K

In reply to Kimberly:

Hi Kimberly,

Many thanks for the response, the above is really helpful.

Steven