Lying on a CV: Why Application Forms are essential for Day Nurseries, Pre-schools and Clubs

Just the other week we were talking in the office about the potential that people have for small fibs or big lies on CVs.

I reminded the team of the case of Neil Taylor, former CEO of Shrewsbury & Telford Hospital Trust who was caught out 20 years ago by an eagle eyed HR professional who wanted to see evidence of qualifications on CVs for the files. Amongst other “mistakes” Mr Taylor had to reveal he had made a bogus degree qualification for the University of Nottingham in an attempt to “cover” his lies.

According to a YouGov survey, in 2017 one in 10 employees admit to telling lies on their CVs.

From September 2025, wide ranging reforms to the EYFS Statutory Framework in England will see major changes for Early Years employers including Childminders with Assistants.

From September, these employers will need to play closer attention to the nature of previous employment of a candidate. References will need to have been obtained before someone starts, and where an individual has been away from the sector for a few roles, the last childcare/early years employer will need to also be approached for a reference.

Discrepancies between references and employment history will need to be explored.

This and the ever closer Employment Rights Act 2025, make the need to ensure that offer can be withdrawn if needed increasingly significant for UK employers.

These are two of the reasons why we are encouraging all employers in the sector to now adopt the use of the Application Form.

Application Forms are less likely to be seen by a candidate as an exercise in creative writing. Someone is less likely to lie on a form that they sign than they would a CV. Application Forms can ask the questions that candidates may prefer you didn’t ask; such as reason for leaving.

Even someone who says they have worked as a Nursery Manager for 3 years and in fact they worked at the Nursery for 3 years, only 1 of which was in the role of Manager are more likely to have this shown in an application form than they would their CV where dates of employment may mean different things to different people.

So what happens if you discover someone has lied to you on the CV you ask?

Well depending on the lie you may wish to withdraw the job offer. You should seek HR advice before you take this step as several factors will impact the advice given including whether the candidate has accepted the offer and whether they have started work. Bear in mind, once someone has started it is trickier than before they start. Lying on a CV in the public sector may lead to police interest, in the private sector this is less likely to occur.

If we can be of any assistance with any aspect of HR please call us on 01527 909436.

To attend our Safer Recruitment masterclass, completely free of charge on 6th February 2025 at 7 p.m. register on this link.