Docs / Pages
Reference portal
The signed-in area for a reference who has an account: open requests, messages and the history of past answers.
Most references answer through the private link in their email and never sign in (Reference responding). A reference who signs in with an account gets two pages in a small navigation: References and Messages.
| Page | Purpose |
|---|---|
/reference-portal | One page called References with two tabs. Open lists requests still waiting for an answer, soonest to close first, each with the date the link closes ("Closes 14 Nov 2026", highlighted in the last three days) and a Respond button to its response page. Answered lists requests you already answered, with your recommendation, the date and the application outcome. ?tab=answered opens the second tab. |
/reference-portal/messages | Questions between the reference and the supplier or customer about a request. Needs messages.view. |
The old /reference-portal/inbox and /reference-portal/history addresses redirect to the Open and Answered tabs. After sign-in a reference account lands on /reference-portal.
Who can use it#
Accounts with the reference role and references.respond. Other roles are redirected to their own area.
States#
- Open with nothing waiting: "No open requests. Answers you gave stay under Answered."
- Answered with nothing yet: "Nothing answered yet".
- Expired requests are not listed (the services API returns only unexpired, pending requests); ask the supplier for a new link.
- Declined requests do not appear under Answered; only answered ones do.
- Answers are final once submitted; the Answered tab is read-only.
- The count beside Open also shows on the References row of the navigation.