Becoming a foster carer - the references

[awsomer]

We've had the initial meeting with the social worker and gave our details, answered the questions, critiqued the spare room, etc etc. It was a really positive experience; daunting, thought provoking, but positive, and so I'm looking forward to starting the training.

Before that they obviously need to follow through with their checks. We were asked for contact details for those who would be our references; family (fine), friends (fine), work (ahh... I hadn't thought about that...)

The problem is that I'm a teacher in a huge school. Above me I have a line manager, a Key Stage leader, a Deputy Head and a Head Teacher. My line manager knows me best but the Head (who is new so doesn't know me or that I'm planning on doing this yet) would be more official.

What do you guys think? Who would you have given as your work reference?

I work in the NHS and have similar layers of managers. I asked the one above my line manager, purely because she had known my the longest. I would start with the one you feel knows you best and work from there!

Thank you! I'm going to give my line manager but explain to him that he is absolutely free to refer any questions higher up if he needs to.

DH had a similar problem, he asked the person that had worked with him longest. The main thing was that the reference was on headed paper. His wasn't but we managed to get something else that was more official.

That's really interesting to know, thanks Chocoholic.