Signature Staff

FAQs

Can you recruit permanent corporate hospitality staff?
Open Can you recruit permanent corporate hospitality staff?

Yes. We recruit permanent corporate hospitality professionals including chefs, butlers, waiting staff and kitchen porters.

Can you provide temporary hospitality staff?
Open Can you provide temporary hospitality staff?

Yes. Temporary staffing is one of our core services, whether you need one member of staff for a meeting or a larger team for an event.

What types of corporate hospitality requirements can you provide staff for?
Open What types of corporate hospitality requirements can you provide staff for?

Our team can provide staff for corporate events, client meetings, director's dining, internal hospitality and holiday cover, as well as temporary and permanent positions.

Which types of businesses use Signature Staff?
Open Which types of businesses use Signature Staff?

We work with premium corporate clients including law firms, financial institutions, embassies, members' and arts clubs, VIP sports boxes and corporate catering companies.

What types of corporate hospitality staff can Signature Staff provide?
Open What types of corporate hospitality staff can Signature Staff provide?

We provide corporate head chefs, assistant chefs, butlers, waiting staff and kitchen porters, as well as other hospitality professionals depending on your requirements.

What qualifications does a nanny need?
Open What qualifications does a nanny need?

There are many educational qualifications available to nannies in the UK:

Early Years (or equivalent) (CACHE Level 3 Diploma)

Most commonly nannies are now completing a degree in Early Years or similar, these are offered at various universities in the UK, the most famous is Norland College in Bath.

This is a three year degree and includes course work and placements to offer hands on experience in a variety of childcare settings.

National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) in Early Years

Candidates can also study a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) in Early Years. This qualification is completed whilst working full time, normally in a nursery.  It normally takes a year or two to complete, depending on how quickly the candidate completes coursework.

In order to be considered able to work as a nanny, we expect a Level 3 or above to be completed.

Diploma in Childcare & Education (CACHE Level 3 Diploma)

Traditionally candidates studied the Diploma in childcare and education offered by NNEB (Nursery Nurse Examining Board) which was then superseded by the CACHE issuing body.

These two courses included practical experience as well as time in the classroom and took two years to complete.

Montessori Diploma & Other Teaching Degrees

You can study a Montessori Diploma, or a teaching degree or you could specialise in working with children with additional needs.

Outside of UK

Each country will have their own courses; in Australia this could be a TAFE Diploma in Community services whereas in New Zealand there is a government based initiative which aims to teach parents and child carers alike the best way to look after young children. A few nannies will have gone through the PORSE system and completed their qualifications.

If you’re unsure if your international qualification is applicable in the UK, we advise you to contact NARIC, the UK government body which compares international diplomas and offers a statement of comparability.

Does a nanny need to take out insurance?
Open Does a nanny need to take out insurance?

As a childcare professional we also highly recommend you hold liability insurance. Two of the most well known providers in the UK are Morton Michel and Nannytax, but of course there are many more out there.

Your Signature Staff consultant will be able to advise you on this.

How many years’ experience working as a candidate must I have in order to register with Signature Staff?
Open How many years’ experience working as a candidate must I have in order to register with Signature Staff?

We require a minimum of 3 years’ experience of working in a private household.

Is a DBS Required and how do I apply for it?
Open Is a DBS Required and how do I apply for it?

If you are working with children, will be required to apply for the enhanced DBS.

Signature Staff are an authorised body and consequently can assist you and fast-track your DBS application.

The cost of an enhanced DBS is £65.20

What qualifications does a maternity nurse need?
Open What qualifications does a maternity nurse need?

There are a number of qualifications a maternity nurse may have including:

  • Maternity Practitioner Award - Level 4 (ONC accredited)
  • Maternity Practitioner Award - Level 3 (OCN accredited)
  • Breastfeeding Course - Level 3 (OCN accredited)
  • Sleep Training Course - Level 3 (OCN accredited)
Professional Development courses – do I need to do them and what courses can I do?
Open Professional Development courses – do I need to do them and what courses can I do?

There are many development courses qualifications available to nannies. Continuous Professional Development (CPD) provides the children in your care the best possible start in life, as well as helping to future proof your career.

Attending courses both online and in person will help develop your knowledge and skills as well as offering you the opportunity to meet and network with other likeminded professionals.

Some companies and courses we recommend include;

Be Ready to Parent

Safe and Sound

MNT Training

Unicef

There are of course many other course providers on the market so have a look and see what fits for you.

Is a first aid qualification required to register as a Signature Staff nanny or member of household staff?
Open Is a first aid qualification required to register as a Signature Staff nanny or member of household staff?

Only candidates who are working with children must hold a Paediatric First Aid certificate.

This fully incorporates all the necessary modules and is valid for 3 years after which time you will need to repeat the 2 day course.

Does Signature Staff charge candidates a fee to register?
Open Does Signature Staff charge candidates a fee to register?

No fee is paid by candidates at any time during their interaction with Signature Staff.

What background checks do Signature Staff run on you, the candidate?
Open What background checks do Signature Staff run on you, the candidate?

References: We require you to have at least 3 years’ experience with checkable references – we don’t just stop at two referees.

Face-to-Face Meeting: We ask you to attend a face to face meeting at our Central London office, during this interview, we’ll verify your identity, working rights; site your documentation and make sure we have a thorough understanding of your skill-set, experience and what you are looking for in a job.

Certificates

  • Your Photo ID: either a valid passport or driving licence
  • Your identity documentation: Passport, Driving Licence, NI No, etc.
  • Proof of eligibility to work in the UK if you are seeking a position in the UK
  • Reasons for any gaps in your employment history
  • Certificates to evidence your qualifications
  • An up-to-date DBS certificate (for those working with children)
  • An up-to-date First Aid certificate (for those working with children)
For overseas positions how does payroll, tax and other employment obligations differ from the UK?
Open For overseas positions how does payroll, tax and other employment obligations differ from the UK?

Most countries have differing tax legislation. Your Signature Staff consultant will advise you on this if you apply for an overseas position.

Equivalently your holiday entitlements will differ too, and will be set-out in your employment contract.

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