Why Pre-Employment Health Questionnaires Matter
Starting a new role is an important moment for any employee, but it’s also a critical point for employers to ensure the working relationship begins safely, lawfully and with the right support in place. An occupational health pre-employment questionnaire plays a central role in achieving this, particularly in sectors such as education where safeguarding, wellbeing and fitness for work are closely linked.
Why a pre-employment questionnaire matters
At its core, a pre-employment questionnaire helps employers meet their legal duty to protect the health, safety and welfare of employees. The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 requires employers to take reasonably practicable steps to ensure employees are not exposed to avoidable risks, while the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 require suitable risk assessments and appropriate health surveillance where risks remain.
By identifying any relevant health considerations early—such as medical conditions, functional limitations, or the need for adjustments—employers can ensure the role, environment and duties are safe and sustainable from day one. This proactive approach often reduces sickness absence, supports retention and helps new starters settle more quickly.
Supporting equality and inclusion
A well-structured questionnaire is not about excluding candidates; it is about enabling them to succeed. Under the Equality Act 2010, employers have a duty to make reasonable adjustments for disabled employees and to avoid discrimination arising from disability. Early occupational health input can highlight practical, proportionate adjustments—such as ergonomic equipment, altered duties, flexible working arrangements or phased starts—that allow individuals to perform effectively.
Crucially, health questions should usually be asked only after a conditional offer of employment has been made, except in limited circumstances. This ensures compliance with equality legislation while still allowing employers to plan appropriate support before the individual starts work.
The education context and safeguarding responsibilities
In education settings, pre-employment health assessments take on added importance. Schools and colleges must ensure staff are not only capable of carrying out their role safely, but also fit to work in environments involving children and young people. While occupational health assessments do not replace safeguarding checks, they support the broader duty of care outlined in the Keeping Children Safe in Education statutory guidance issued by the Department for Education.
This guidance places a clear responsibility on education employers to promote staff wellbeing and ensure safe recruitment practices. Understanding any health factors that may affect attendance, resilience, stress tolerance or role suitability helps schools manage risk appropriately and maintain consistent, safe learning environments.
Experienced support for education employers
Staff Care Services can provide occupational health pre-employment questionnaires as part of comprehensive, education-focused support. Our SEQOHS accredited service enables your staff to start their new role faster, with auto-clearance processes that confirm fitness to work almost immediately, and more complex cases reviewed by our dedicated team of in-house clinicians. With over 30 years’ experience working alongside schools, academies and colleges, we understand the unique operational, safeguarding and wellbeing challenges faced by education employers.
A simple step with long-term benefits
Ultimately, an occupational health pre-employment questionnaire is a preventative tool. It supports legal compliance, promotes inclusion, underpins safeguarding responsibilities and helps employees start their role with the right support in place. Used correctly, it benefits individuals, organisations and—especially in education—the children and young people they serve.
If you have any questions regarding pre-employment questionnaires please contact us at Occupational.health@staffcareservices.org.uk