An iteration on the initial design, removing some of the unnecessary fields.
User needs
Hypotheses
Avoid asking referees to confirm they’ll give a reference
The previous iteration asks referees whether to confirm they want to give a reference after they just clicked a link in the email to give a reference which prolongs the process.
If we let users confirm via the email
Then it’ll shorten the process for referees
Avoid asking referees to confirm their relationship with candidate
The previous iteration asks referees to confirm their relationship with the candidate. But this prolongs the process and is beyond MVP.
If we remove this question
Then it’ll speed up the process for referees
Actively refusing to give a reference
Some referees may not want to, or be able to give a reference. This slows down the candidate’s application process.
If we let users tell us that they won’t give a reference
Then we’ll be able to notify the candidate and get another referee quickly
We‘ll know this works when referees click the refuse link in the email and confirm their refusal
One big text box for the reference
We don’t have any evidence that referees and providers need anything more sophisticated or bespoke than a single text box. So for now, we’re just keeping parity with UCAS—albeit with a smaller box and lower word count.
We’re wary about asking explicitly if the candidate is safe to work with children. Providers liked this, but we need to be careful how we ask the question. The absence of the flag might be seen as reason alone to reject a candidate when really the referee didn’t know either way.
We also don’t have enough confidence in the 1 to 10 scales, which providers described as ‘subjective’. A single box is the lowest risk.
If we let users enter everything into 1 big text box
Then we’ll be able to see what problems arise with referees and providers
We’ll know this works when providers successfully use the references given to make decisions
Findings from providers
Providers use references to build an overall picture of candidates, validate application information and to comply with safeguarding requirements.
90% of providers rated the guidance we give to referees as ‘good’ or ‘excellent’,
Very clear and concise and helps with decision on suitability for teaching
Think it is a great guide. Nearly all the prompts that I would be looking for are there.
Providers need referees to clarify that candidates are safe to work with children to comply with safeguarding requirements. This was a noted omission.
Providers need references to be personalised and tailored to teacher training context to determine a candidate’s suitability to train to teach.
Providers need to validate that references are coming from an official source and so they don’t have to follow up with the candidate or referee.