Hi. Referring to this document, which is a list of guidance notes for HMPO staff confirming the IDs of referees:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.u ... ATION_.pdf
On page 9, it lists the acceptable recognised proffessions, but it also says:
"It is not a complete list, and any alternatives a customer provides must be considered"
And on page 30, in the section titled 'The person confirming an identity is unqualified', it says:
"
If you (the examiner) have an application where the countersignatory or digital referee, is an unqualified person. You can accept them if the application has no fraud indicators and the countersignatory or digital referee:
- fulfils the rest of the criteria to confirm the customer’s identity but are not in (or retired) from a recognised profession
- can produce original documents to confirm their identity
For example, a person can countersign an application if they are the customer’s retired next door neighbour who was a cleaner."
Actually, there's a whole seciton on when HMPO staff can use discretion on an application starting on page 30 which is well worth a read.
So I think there is still hope even if you don't know anyone whose proffession is on the approved list.