How do you reference-check bank care staff fast?
Bank and relief staff need the same checks as permanent staff. The trick is doing them once, properly, and reusing the result.
Do bank care staff need the same references as permanent staff?
Yes. CQC Regulation 19 and Schedule 3 apply to everyone employed to carry out a regulated activity, whatever their contract. Bank staff references in care need the same evidence of conduct in previous care work, reasons for leaving and a full employment history. RefAssure collects them online, chases referees, and gives you one signed PDF per worker to reuse across shifts and services.
Why bank staff are a common gap
Bank and relief workers are often brought in quickly to cover sickness or holiday. Under that pressure it is tempting to treat them as lighter touch. Regulation 19 does not distinguish between contract types, and a bank carer visiting someone at home or working a night shift in a care home presents the same safeguarding risk as anyone else.
What Schedule 3 asks for
- Satisfactory evidence of conduct in previous work in health or social care, or with children or vulnerable adults.
- Where they worked with children or vulnerable adults before, verification of why that work ended, so far as reasonably practicable.
- A full employment history with a written explanation of any gaps.
Schedule 3 also covers identity, DBS, qualifications and health. RefAssure handles the references and employment history. See DBS vs references in care for how the two fit together.
Do it once, reuse it
Bank staff often work across several of your services. Build one complete reference pack per worker at sign-up and file the PDF centrally, so every manager can see the worker is cleared without starting again. Review it if the worker leaves and returns after a long break.
Ask the right referee
Bank staff often hold a permanent job elsewhere. Their main employer is usually the right referee for conduct, but if that job is outside care, also ask for their most recent care employer so you can show evidence of conduct in care work and the reason that work ended.
From sign-up to first shift.
Add the worker
Enter their details and referees. Choose your care template with the questions your sector expects.
Consent online
The worker signs consent on their phone. Referees are contacted straight after.
Chased for you
5 emails and up to 2 texts over 12 days per referee, stopping the moment they reply.
File the pack
Download the signed PDF and add it to the worker's file, ready for any service and any inspector.
Fast enough for bank recruitment.
Across 229 completed RefAssure references, the median was about 23 hours. 4 in 10 came back after an automatic reminder.
- Bounced emails flagged, most within minutes
- Referees use a secure link, no login, any device
- You are told after day 12 so you can add another referee
- Credits never expire, so quiet months cost nothing
Bank staff reference questions
More in the full FAQs.
Can a bank worker start before references are back?
The Schedule 3 information should be in place before someone starts in a regulated activity. If anything is still outstanding, record a risk assessment and the supervision in place, and check CQC's guidance on Regulation 19. See safe recruitment in care.
Can I reuse references from when they were permanent?
If the worker moves from permanent to bank with you and there was no break, their original file usually stands. If they left and came back, review whether you need fresh references for the time away.
What if bank staff come from an agency?
The agency should have done the checks and should give you confirmation. You remain responsible for being satisfied. See reference checking for care providers.
How many references do bank care staff need?
Schedule 3 does not set a number. Most providers ask for two, including the most recent care employer. The aim is satisfactory evidence of conduct and reasons for leaving.
How fast are references returned?
Half of RefAssure references are back within 24 hours. See how long care worker references take.
What does it cost?
Your first reference is free. Then from 99p down to 80p each, with no monthly fee and no VAT added. See pricing.
Related guides
Bank staff cleared before the rota needs them.
Your first reference is free. Two minutes to send, and RefAssure chases the rest.