How to verify, endorse and countersign application forms

All applications for registration must be verified, endorsed and countersigned. 

Verification

We need to be sure that the applicant's identity and all of the documents they are submitting in support of their application are genuine.

Who can verify an applicant's supporting documents?

A line manager or someone senior to the applicant in the organisation can verify an application for registration.  The verifier does not have to be the person who endorses or countersigns the application, although this is acceptable.

Endorsing an application

We need assurances, as far as they are possible, that the information the applicant has given us about their disciplinary record, criminal convictions and any alternatives to prosecution they have been subject to, is correct. We need to be sure that there are no reasons why the SSSC should not be assured of the competence and good character of applicants and their suitability for registration. 

As part of the endorsement we will ask for the date and number of the last Enhanced Disclosure/PVG your organisation carried out for the person applying to register. If you cannot supply this, the applicant will need to complete a new PVG form and include this, proof of address and the fee with their application. They only need to complete parts A,B and C; the SSSC will countersign this PVG.

Who can endorse an application?

Applicants are required to get an endorsement of their application by a senior person in a social service organisation. 

If your organisation has a countersignatory, it is this person who must endorse the application form.

Read the relevant guide for verifying and endorsing application forms:

• A guide to verifying and endorsing social workers' application forms
• A guide to verifying and endorsing social work students' application forms
• A guide to verifying and endorsing social service workers' application forms

Countersignatories

The SSSC has main points of contacts within social service organisations.  These contacts are senior representatives from the organisations who we can contact for all matters about registration.

We call these individuals lead countersignatories. The lead countersignatory can then apply to set up further additional countersignatories in their organisation. 

Lead countersignatories and additional countersignatories can endorse applications for registration. We would recommend that social service organisations apply to set up a lead countersignatory prior to their staff applying for registration.  Once you're a countersignatory you can apply for access to the MySSSC for employers, which provides benefits such as being able to track the progress of applicants and registrants within their organisation.

Read the guidance for more details on the role of countersignatories and complete the necessary forms to apply to set up countersignatories.

• Countersignatory and employers guidance
• Additional countersignatory form
• Lead countersignatory form
• MySSSC for employers access form