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It’s that time of year when teenagers all over the UK are frantically filling in their UCAS forms. The mid-January deadline for university deadlines is fast approaching. Students are filling in their predicted grades, writing a killer personal statement and persuading their tutors to give them a great reference. Depending on the type of course, there might be another hurdle to cross. If you’re applying for health or social care courses, you might come across the phrase “fitness to train”. It’s an important concept, which you really should understand before submitting your UCAS form.

If you’re interested in animals, you’ve probably thought about going into a career which is animal-related. There’s lots of choice out there, from being a vet to volunteering at your local animal shelter. If you’re more interested in the welfare side of animals, then working as a RSPCA inspector could be right up your street. Here’s everything you need to know about the role of the UK’s biggest animal charity.

Up and down the country, there is a whole host of unpaid volunteers working in the NHS. These workers take on the jobs which the nurses and doctors don’t have time for and can make all the difference. If you’ve ever been served a cup of tea at a patient’s bedside or bought a cake from the WRVS canteen, you’ll have been served by a hospital volunteer. As with all voluntary positions, there are never enough volunteers. If you’re interested in giving up your free time to help out, here’s what you need to know.

If you’re the sort of person who wants everything done instantly, then you’re not alone. Nobody likes being kept waiting. When it comes to DBS checks, there is no “fast track” option. This only applies to things like passports or driving licences. We don’t have a magic wand, but follow our insider tips for DBS checks to speed your application along as quickly as possible.

Businesses love their jargon. Pushing the envelope, blue sky thinking, ducks in a row – we’ve all heard the terms. Jargon terms fall in and out of fashion, and one which we’re seeing a lot is safer recruitment. It’s tempting to write this off as just another of those ridiculous statements but in fact, the thinking behind the term is important.

If there’s one activity more than any other which parents enrol their kids in, it’s swimming lessons. Every weekday evening and Saturday mornings, pools are filled with little ones learning to stay afloat. Qualifying as a swimming teacher or lifeguard can be lucrative, but what do you need to know?

Even if you’re not sure what it means, you’ll have heard people talking about GDPR. In simple terms, GDPR is a Europe-wide beefing up of the data protection rules. Companies are restricted in what information they keep, and how they keep it. GDPR – which stands for General Data Protection Regulation – is of particular importance when it comes to DBS checks.

Dorset County Council hit the headlines recently when it emerged that their DBS checks weren’t up to scratch. Auditors flagged up serious failings across several areas of the organisation. So what has been going on, and how could it affect other areas?