Applying for a support role

[Skooled]

Sorry if this question doesn't belong here, wasn't sure where it should go. I think I would love a job I have seen advertised, it's doing something that I qualified in years ago, but for financial reasons didn't then take up a career in it.
I am now at a point where I have had a different career for many years, but am financially (and with my children's ages) at a point I can take a less well paid role so want to apply for a role in a local school doing something I am sure I would enjoy more.
I am trying to fill in the application form. The role doesn't imply a deep knowledge of the subject is required and is a minimum wage role. I am currently employed in a different industry that is going through changes and I really want out, but the application form is asking for current employer details for a reference and I have technically only been with the current employer (not my choice) for a few months and don't really want them getting a heads up on my looking elsewhere. Can someone tell me at what point are references sought?
Thanks...any other words of advice on what would be useful to put on the personal statement considering I have never worked in this role or a school before would be appreciated!

References will usually be contacted prior to interview, so it's always a good idea to give your employer the heads up that you've applied for something. Without the job title etc., it's hard to know what else to really advise for the personal statement- I would usually take each bullet point of the person spec and explain how you address it e.g., The Candidate Must Demonstrate Good Communication Skills. I would then write a short sentence about my comm. skills and give an example to illustrate it (hopefully one that links to the field in which I'm applying). The application will be a tick box so make sure you've addressed all the bullet points specifically.

@Zae134 thank you for replying. Oh that is a shame, I might not be able to apply then. The role is science technician and there is already a team of them at different levels.

Hi, don't know if you are still thinking about this but I always put to not contact current employer prior to interview, this is very common and I work in education. If they offer you the job then they take up the references. Never an issue.

@Eyerollexpert thanks, I can't see anywhere on the online form that allows you to make any requests.

I also can't see an interview date on the spec. How long should I expect to wait from application as to whether I have been selected to interview and do schools generally tell you if you have been unsuccessful?