Staff fraud guidance

This guidance has been developed to support organisations in addressing the risks associated with employment agency fraud. It provides a framework to help NHS organisations develop or update policies and systems to address employment agency fraud. The guidance is for Local Counter Fraud Specialists, Framework Operators, NHS staff and others involved in procuring and supervising agency staff.

This quick guide explains when multiple employment becomes a fraud risk (where there is intent to deceive) and sets out practical controls such as clear policies, routine checks and effective reporting routes to help protect patient care, budgets and staff wellbeing.

This quick guide provides practical prevention advice to reduce the risk of staff undertaking unauthorised paid or unpaid work during a period of sickness absence. It highlights key controls including clear policy, line manager check-ins, fit note checks, and robust return-to-work processes.

This quick guide explains how timesheet fraud occurs (for example inflated hours, overtime, on-call or unsociable hours, or false approvals) and the red flags to look for. It recommends controls such as clear governance, segregation of duties, secure systems access, verification against rotas or records, and counter fraud declarations for both staff and authorisers.

This quick guide summarises common expenses and allowances fraud risks (false or inflated claims, mileage abuse, falsified receipts, personal purchases) and typical indicators. It sets out strong prevention measures including clear policy and SOPs, training and declarations, robust authorisation, spot checks or audit, and good practice for electronic expenses systems.

This quick guide supports prevention of fraud in recruitment, particularly false representation of qualifications or experience and other pre-employment risks. It reinforces completing NHS Employment Check Standards, robust reference and ID checks, use of Inter Authority Transfer (IAT) for prior NHS employment, and awareness of emerging risks such as AI-enabled forged documents.

This quick guide raises awareness of a growing risk where individuals present for shifts while impersonating a healthcare worker, creating patient safety, financial, reputational and information governance risks. It outlines preventative measures including strong assurance of agency checks, on-site ID verification, clear escalation arrangements, and use of an action card for frontline response.

This quick guide complements NHS England’s conflicts of interest guidance and focuses on the fraud risks that can arise when conflicts are not declared or managed. It highlights practical steps to strengthen transparency, record keeping and escalation.