Frequently Asked Questions

You can see a list of all our open vacancies by visiting our Careers Page. Use our interactive map to find local roles or the search bar to match roles with your experience. You can also sign up for job alerts (details below).

Unfortunately, we don’t offer sponsorship as standard for our roles. If a role is open to sponsorship, we’ll clearly mention it in the advert.

Before you start, make sure you have:

• Your Education History, Work History, Personal Details
• An updated CV ready.

Find the vacancy on our Careers Page, read the advert and job description, and click the Apply button. Complete all sections of the online application form. If you run into any issues, reach out to our recruitment team at [email protected] – we’re happy to help!

Tell us about your skills and experience, and how they match the person specification in the job description. Include relevant examples from work, volunteering, or other experiences.

We shortlist based on how your application matches the essential criteria in the job description, so make sure to save a copy of the job description for interview prep.

Tip: Read about the work we do and our values before applying. We’re keen to understand what motivated you to apply for this role and why you’re interested in working with us.

After you apply, your application will be screened by our recruitment team and then sent to the hiring manager for shortlisting. The hiring manager will review your application against the essential criteria for the role (outlined in the job description). We aim to update you within two weeks of the closing date.

Sign up for job alerts to receive notifications about new roles. Customise your alerts based on your location and job preferences, so you never miss an opportunity!

To ensure fairness, we use a “name-blind” recruitment process where personal details such as name and contact information are hidden from the hiring manager until you are invited to an interview or assessment.

Important: Do not include any personal identification details (e.g., name, email address) in your supporting statement.

We recognise that living in London can be expensive. That’s why we offer a London Weighting Allowance to all our employees who live in one of the following Greater London boroughs:

• Inner London: Camden, City of London, Greenwich, Hackney, Hammersmith and Fulham, Islington, Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, Lambeth, Lewisham, Southwark, Tower Hamlets, Wandsworth, and Westminster.
• Outer London: Barking and Dagenham, Barnet, Bexley, Brent, Bromley, Croydon, Ealing, Enfield, Greenwich, Harrow, Havering, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Kingston upon Thames, Merton, Redbridge, Richmond upon Thames, Sutton, and Waltham Forest.

The hiring manager will advise at the offer stage if this is applicable to you based on your home address.

At the British Red Cross, we are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer and are committed to ensuring everyone feels welcome.

During the application process, you will be asked if you wish to apply under the Disability Confident Scheme. We offer interviews to disabled candidates (as defined in the 2010 Equality Act) who meet the minimum shortlisting criteria in the advertised person specification.

In some cases, such as when we receive a high number of applications, we may limit the overall number of interviews offered to both disabled and non-disabled candidates.

Yes, having a criminal record does not automatically disqualify you from working with the British Red Cross. We assess each case individually, considering the nature of the offence, its relevance to the role, and the time elapsed since the conviction. If you are deemed a risk to staff or our service users, this will be reviewed by our HR team as part of our safeguarding process.

Some roles, particularly those involving vulnerable people, require a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check or an equivalent background check depending on the location of the role. If a check is required, this will be stated in the job description.

If information appears on your background check, we will review the results in line with our safeguarding policies. A past conviction does not necessarily mean you cannot work with us. We will discuss any concerns with you before making a final decision.

For most roles, under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, you do not need to disclose spent convictions. However, for roles that require a Standard or Enhanced Criminal Record Check, certain spent convictions may need to be disclosed.

Safeguarding is a key priority for us. We follow strict policies to ensure the safety of our service users, staff, and volunteers. If you have any concerns or need further clarification, please reach out to our recruitment team.

If selected for an interview, we will contact you via email with a link to book an interview slot on our system. Check your inbox and junk folder for updates.

If you are unable to attend, we will try our best to find an alternative time. However, rescheduling depends on the availability of the hiring panel and time constraints.

If you need to reschedule, you can:

• Contact the Hiring Manager directly (details in your interview invite email)
• Reach out to the recruitment team at [email protected]

You can withdraw your application or cancel your interview by logging into your Careers Account

If you need to change your interview time:

1. Sign into your profile
2. Select 'Interviews'
3. Click 'Change Slot' (available up to 23 hours before the interview)

If you need to cancel your interview, select 'Cancel' beside the time slot and use the free text box to give more details.

If you’re unable to log into your account, contact the recruitment team ([email protected]) for assistance.

All formal interviews at the British Red Cross are conducted by a panel to ensure fair decision-making. You can expect:

• At least two panel members
• A mix of behavioural, competency, situational, and values-based questions

Tip: Review the job description and required skills to prepare. We want to hear specific, measurable examples from your professional, volunteering, or personal experiences.

Remember: Interviews are a two-way conversation! Prepare questions for your interviewers to see if the role is the right fit for you.

We are committed to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion. If you need reasonable adjustments (e.g., extra time), please let us know as soon as possible.

Email [email protected] with:

• Your support needs
• The job title and reference number (if known)

We appreciate every candidate who invests time in our recruitment process. If you’d like feedback, please contact us at [email protected] with your job title and vacancy ID.

• Careers Page – Apply for roles
• Volunteer Opportunities – Get involved
• British Red Cross – Learn more
• Follow us on LinkedIn for updates!

To log in, please use the email address that you used to register your application – this will also be your username.

If you've forgotten your password, don't worry! You can easily reset it using the ‘Forgot Password?’ feature, using the same email address as before.

If you need further assistance, our Onboarding team is here to help – simply email us on [email protected]

Please ensure that you are using the same email address that you used to register your application as your username.

If you've forgotten your password, don't worry! You can easily reset it using the ‘Forgot Password?’ feature, using the same email address as before.

If you need further assistance, our Onboarding team is here to help - simply email us on [email protected]

Please refer to this link to the government website for acceptable right to work.

For non-UK Nationals:

You will need to obtain your share code which can be done via this link. Once you have this, you will share this with the Onboarding team. Once you provide the Onboarding team with your Right to Work Share Code and date of birth, they will arrange a meeting (either face-to-face or via video call) to complete the online Right to Work check in your presence.

If you have a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) card, unfortunately this cannot be used to prove your right to work in the UK. Since April 2022 the legislation in the UK changed to advise that physical BRP cards cannot be used as proof of Right to Work, instead only online checks will be acceptable.

For non-UK or Irish nationals, you will need to provide the onboarding team with a share code and your date of birth so that they can complete an online Right to Work check. For more information, please visit the government website: www.gov.uk/prove-right-to-work.

To access your offer letter or contract on the Careers Site, please follow these steps:

• Log in using the email address that the Onboarding team has contacted you on. Your documents are linked to this email, so they won't show up if you use a different one.
• Find your documents on the landing page after logging in. Scroll down to the ‘Things To Do’ section and click ‘Start’. If you navigate away, you can return by clicking your name in the top-right corner and selecting ‘My Profile’.
• Ensure you're using the right device and browser, if you are unable to see the ‘Things To Do’ section:
  • Use a laptop or PC (the site isn't optimized for tablets or mobile devices).
  • Use Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, or Mozilla Firefox (the site isn't optimized for Internet Explorer or Safari).
• Still can't see your documents? Contact the Onboarding team for help using the following number - 0345 054 7311 (Option 2).

The acceptance process has two parts:

1. Initial Review: Look over and review your offer letter and contract (but not signing yet).
2. New Starter Forms: Complete these forms before signing the contract to formally accept your offer.

Steps to Follow:

• Once you have reviewed your offer letter and contract, you'll be asked if you would like to proceed with the acceptance process. This is not the same as accepting your offer.
• If you select ‘Proceed with Offer Acceptance’ option: you'll see some introductory materials (like a welcome video and employee handbook, amongst some other helpful information) and forms to fill out (personal details, bank details, referees, etc.) which are important.
• After completing the forms, you'll reach the last page where you can sign your contract. Signing the contract means you formally accept your offer and will stop receiving reminders.

Still receiving reminders? If you've followed all the steps and still get reminders, contact the Onboarding team using 0345 054 7311 (Option 2) and we’ll assist you further.

Once you have reviewed your offer letter and contract, before beginning your offer acceptance, you will be asked if you would like to proceed with the acceptance process; if you answer, ‘Proceed with Offer Acceptance’, you will be presented with some introductory materials. These include the Employee Handbook, and the Benefits Brochure. At this stage you can download the documents for your personal records.

If you have completed your new starter forms and did not download these documents, and can no longer see them on the Careers Site, please contact the Onboarding team via [email protected] requesting a copy of these to be sent to you.

Once IT access has been granted, after all pre-engagement checks are completed, you will be able to access the Employee Handbook and the Benefits Brochure on our intranet RedRoom.

The login details for the medical placement questionnaire can be found in two places:

1. In your offer letter, there will be a section titled ‘Health Clearance’
2. On the Careers Site during your offer acceptance process (part of the new starter forms) there is a link to the questionnaire and the password to use.

Pay day is always the 15th of every month, unless the 15th falls on a weekend date, meaning you will be paid the Friday before; however, there are some conditions to consider when it comes to your first pay...

If your start date is before the 5th of the month and we have received your completed pre-employment checks by the 25th of the previous month then you will be paid on the 15th. However, if your checks haven't been completed by this date, you will be paid in the following month.

Our pay cycles cover from the 1st of the month to the last day of the month.

If you have any questions regarding your start date, please get in touch with your line manager in the first instance. Your line manager’s details can be found at the bottom of your offer letter. Your manager will inform the Onboarding team of any changes to your start date if necessary. Your Onboarder will then issue a variation to your contract letter, confirming your new start date, which you will be required to sign.

There are some steps you can take to ensure that the checks are completed as quickly as possible, such as:

• Ensure you complete your right to work and, if necessary, criminal record check. The British Red Cross has teamed up with Atlantic Data, a certified Digital Identity Service Provider (IDSP), to perform these checks more efficiently and securely.
• Ensure you complete your occupational health questionnaire.
• Contact your referees as soon as you have submitted the request to check that it has been received and that they are able to respond promptly.
• Check your email’s junk/spam folders for any correspondence from the British Red Cross or our third-party providers:
  • Medigold One (Occupational Health provider)
  • Atlantic data (for Right to Work in the UK & DBS checks only)
  • Disclosure Scotland (PVG Checks only)
  • Access NI (Northern Ireland Criminal Record Checks only)

Throughout the onboarding process, your hiring manager and the Onboarding team will be in touch with you with specific details on any outstanding checks and any further action required.

Our third-party provider ‘Atlantic Data’ conducts DBS checks.
‘Disclosure Scotland’ conduct PVG checks.
‘Access Northern Ireland’ conduct Access NI checks.
‘Medigold One’ is our occupational health provider.

Please look out for emails coming from each of the above (where applicable), as they will require further prompt action from you as part of your Onboarding process.

If your role is regulated (meaning a criminal record check is required), your checks can take up to 4 weeks to complete. This can be shorter or longer if more information or further checks are required.

Non-regulated roles (meaning no criminal record check is required), can take up to 2 weeks and will depend on how quickly your referees take to respond.

The Onboarding team will reach out to your hiring manager to advise of a new start date to allow ample time for the pre-employment checks to be completed. Your hiring Manager should contact you to advise of and discuss this change of start date accordingly.

The Onboarding team will contact you throughout the process via email, advising as each check has been completed. They will also follow this up with a phone call once all checks are complete.

You will receive your employee ID number via an email from the Onboarding team once your pre-employment checks have been completed.

Your ID badge will be posted out to you directly using the address details you have provided on your application. Should you have any questions regarding your ID badge, please reach out to [email protected]

The British Red Cross (BRC) must conduct its own criminal record check as per policy and procedure, so we can't use any existing checks you may have, unfortunately.

If your role at the BRC requires a DBS check and you're signed up for the DBS update service, please inform your hiring manager. We can use this service to initiate a new check, which often results in quicker processing.

We conduct DBS rechecks every three years, so being signed up for the DBS update service can be beneficial. However, we can only use this service if the level of DBS check matches the level required for your new role at the BRC.

You will be able to register to the update service from the moment you receive your DBS certificate. Once you have this, you only have 28 days to sign up. Please click this link for more information and to register with the update service. We would recommend signing up to automatic renewal via direct debit, otherwise you will have to remember to renew your membership each year. The update service costs £13 per year to subscribe. Please note: Scottish PVG and Access Northern Ireland do not have an update service.

To conduct a criminal record check, we require three in-date ID documents, one of which must be current proof of address. Please click this link to see the full list on the Government website.

If any of your ID documents are in your previous name, you will also need to provide a proof of name change i.e. marriage certificate, divorce decree or deed poll.

You should receive IT access on your first day in your new role. Your manager will arrange this as soon as your pre-employment checks are completed. Please ensure to liaise with your manager if you are having any access issues.

Our IT team will be able to assist you with any systems issues you are experiencing. You can contact the IT Service Desk directly from 8:00am to 6:00pm Monday to Friday and 8:00am – 12noon Saturday by calling 0207 877 7300.

Our Onboarding team will contact you about your pre-employment checks. Your manager will also reach out to discuss your job role and preparations for your first day.

Welcome aboard! Your line manager will be reaching out soon to discuss all the exciting details for your first day. If you need to get in touch with them directly, you can find their contact information at the bottom of your official offer letter.

Absolutely! In your first two weeks, you'll receive a series of exciting emails packed with information to help you settle into the BRC. You'll discover how to access our systems, book travel, explore pension schemes, and complete essential training.

But that's not all! You'll also get an insider's look at how the BRC is organised into directorates and learn about our amazing senior leaders. For example, did you know our CEO, Beatrice, loves jogging in the park with a great playlist?! Get ready for an exciting start at the BRC!

No, if you have left the British Red Cross or stopped volunteering for a period, then you will be provided with a new ID number upon re-joining us.

You can find out more about working for the Red Cross, our benefits, and policies at - https://www.redcross.org.uk/get-involved/jobs.

If you are currently an active volunteer and will be moving into a staff role, then you will retain your current ID number.

No, if you have a break in any period of employment with British Red Cross and you decide to re-join us, then you will not be entitled to continuous service and the benefits linked with this.