Cheapest Ways to Homeschool the Kids

At the start of the year, very few of us thought that by the Easter holidays we'd be stepping into the shoes of their teachers. Schools have been shut in most parts of the UK since mid-March. Parents were told that they weren't expected to be professional educators. But all of us want to do our best and keep the kids learning during lockdown. Homeschool doesn't have to mean spending a fortune on materials, or trying to replicate what the teachers do in class. Homeschool - What is it? Schools vary in their approach to what parents are expected to do when schools are shut. Very few schools will expect parents to be sitting down with their children from 9am to 3pm teaching maths or English. Many schools are using…
Read More

Disclosure Checks – Acronyms and Abbreviations

Abbreviations and jargon - don't you just hate them? There's nothing more confusing than watching a police or medical drama on TV and not being able to follow the plot because the characters speak in a string of initial letters. The legal profession loves their acronyms and disclosure checks are no exception. Whether you are the person getting the certificate, or an employer, you need to understand what it all means. Do you know your PVG from your CRB? No? Well read our handy guide to all the most common jargon, abbreviations and acronyms to make things clear. CRB or Disclosure Checks? CRB stands for Criminal Records Bureau. This is one piece of jargon which we really shouldn't be seeing for much longer. That's because the CRB ceased to exist…
Read More

Criminal Records Checks and Students

It's that time of year again. The University exams are over. Students across the country are looking for ways to fill the long summer months before Uni starts again in the autumn. Many will be looking for some sort of paid work to refill their bank accounts after a year at Uni. Having work experience behind you, especially in a relevant field, is of huge benefit when it comes to applying for graduate positions. But what happens if the jobs you are applying for needs criminal records checks? Do the same rules apply to students as to everyone else?   Criminal Records Checks - Not for All Jobs The first point to remember is that criminal records checks are not a requirement for every position. These sorts of checks used…
Read More

DBS Checks and Being Charged to Work?

The system of DBS checks has been around for over a decade now, but the system is still largely misunderstood. This sort of check used to be called CRB checks, or criminal records bureau checks. It's a system of checking up on people who want to work in positions of responsibility. A DBS check is needed for a wide range of jobs, and often, employers will ask for the certificate before you start. One of the biggest employment sectors needing disclosure checks is healthcare. And recent reports seem to suggest that new starts in the NHS are being asked to pay for their own checks. What NHS Jobs Need DBS Checks? Don't automatically assume that every job working in the NHS will need criminal records checks. However, many will. Even…
Read More

DBS Checks for Au Pairs

There is no official count of the number of au pairs in the UK. Estimates put the figure at around 100,000, with 75% of them working in London and the South-East. Employing an au pair is a sensible move for many working families. Au pairs look after children before school, and between school finishing and parents returning home. They might also do some light housework, or make meals. The children benefit from having a foreign language speaker in the house, and exposure to a different culture. In return, the au pair gets accommodation and food, and time free during the day to study, or pursue their own interests. It's an idea which works perfectly for many. However, one of the main difficulties is getting a good au pair, and knowing…
Read More