Thank you both for your comments, really helpful information. I think we are going to wait now to do the police checks as what you have said verystormy makes perfect sense, It would be silly to do it then it runs out.
Aconcannon - I think we may have to do what you have suggested - my boyfriend has a very good chunk of past employement it's just the part when the fire happened. In the reference from his work they have stated that he worked the full period but I don't think this would be enough. We are trying to do this without a migration agent to keep costs down but maybe we might have to reconsider.
Thank you again - Crystal