Criteria and prioritisation

Inter-Deanery Transfers (IDTs) guide

You must meet the criteria for a change of circumstances to be eligible to apply.

You must meet the criteria for an unforeseen or significant change of circumstances to be eligible to apply for the case of criteria 1–4.

For criterion 5, you can transfer for any reason and do not need to evidence a change of circumstances. 

For criterion 1-4 you should be able to demonstrate that a significant or unforeseen change to personal circumstances has occurred since accepting a place on the training programme in order to be considered for an Inter-Deanery Transfer (IDT).  

Definitions for each criterion are below.

Criterion 1A - you have developed a disability as defined by the Equality Act (2010)

You have developed a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010 following the acceptance of an offer of a training post, for which treatment is an absolute requirement and where the treatment, care or social environments can only be carried out in the geographical area where you have applied to relocate to, as confirmed by a report from your Occupational Health Physician, a fully qualified GP (general practitioner) or medical specialist.

Criterion 1B - you have developed a condition relating to mental health

You have developed a condition relating to mental health following the acceptance of an offer of a training post, for which treatment is an absolute requirement and where the treatment, care or social environment, can only be carried out in the geographical area where you have applied to, as confirmed by a report from your Occupational Health Physician, a fully qualified GP (general practitioner) or other registered clinician providing you with care.

Criterion 2 - you are the primary carer for someone who has a significant ill health and/or is disabled as defined by the Equality Act 2010

You are the primary carer for someone who has a significant ill health and/or is disabled as defined by the Equality Act 2010, expected to be a partner, sibling, parent or child, and these responsibilities have changed significantly following the acceptance of an offer of a training post, resulting in the need to move location. 

Criterion 3 - you are the parent or legal guardian of a child under the age of 18 whose caring responsibilities have changed

You are the parent or legal guardian of a child (children) under the age of 18 who reside primarily with them, and for whom you have had significant change in caring responsibilities following the acceptance of an offer of a training post, resulting in the need to move location.

This criterion is based on childcare. Pregnancy is not a part of this criterion; however, you are able to apply under criterion 4 if your change of circumstance is either yourself or your partner is pregnant or undergoing fertility treatment and needs to transfer region. 

Criterion 4 - you have had a significant change in personal circumstances due to a committed relationship

You have had a significant change in personal circumstances due to a committed relationship or the breakdown of a committed relationship that could not have been foreseen following the acceptance of an offer of a training post, resulting in the need to move location.

A committed relationship refers to the relationship you have with your partner (boyfriend, girlfriend, husband or wife) and not with other family members or friends.

You or Partners who are pregnant or undergoing fertility treatment are eligible to apply under this criterion.
 

Criterion 5 – you require a transfer to another region to continue your training for any other reason not covered by Criteria 1-4

You require a transfer to another region to continue your training for any other reason not covered by Criteria 1-4.

For criterion 1 to 4, changes to personal circumstances must have occurred before submitting your IDT application. Applications cannot be based on expected or anticipated future events.

It is your responsibility to select the most appropriate criterion to apply under depending on your own personal circumstances. You are only able to apply for a transfer under one of the following criteria. Where you meet more than one criterion, the onus is on you to decide which you apply under, as this chosen criteria will be the one used for the application process, we are not able to provide additional advice regarding which criterion you should apply under. Under no circumstances will you be able to change the criterion originally applied under during the specific IDT window. If you apply under criterion 1 to 4 and fail to meet the eligibility requirements but are otherwise eligible for an IDT, as you have provided the correct supporting documents, we will reallocate you to criterion 5 (which will change your priority). 

Criterion prioritisation

Listed below is the priority order for each criterion, prioritisation is factored into vacant post allocation.

Priority level Criterion
Priority level

Priority 1

 Criterion Criterion 1A and 1B
Priority level Priority 2 Criterion Criterion 2 and 3
Priority level Priority 3 Criterion Criterion 4
Priority level Priority 4 Criterion Criterion 5

Eligibility criteria

  1. If applying under criterion 1 to 4, you must have experienced a change in your personal circumstances relating to one of the 4 criteria listed above after accepting an offer of a training post and before an application for IDT is submitted. This change must be detailed clearly and concisely in your application.
  2. You must be at least 12 calendar months from the date of completion of your training programme, at the earliest point of transfer within the national timetable for transfers. If you will be within 12 calendar months of the completion of your training programme, you should contact your local Training Providers to discuss alternative arrangements and supportive mechanisms such as Out of Programme (OOP) or Less Than Full Time (LTFT).
  3. You must be able to take up a new placement in a new region within the national timetable for transfers, for the window of IDT that you have applied in. It will not be possible to defer start dates for those who are due to return from OOP or parental leave on a future date which will be included within the timetable for a future transfer window.
  4. You can move between any of the 4 nations on an Annual Review of Competency Progression (ARCP) Outcome 1, 2, 3, 10.1 or 10.2. Or if you have not yet received an ARCP outcome. 
  5. You are required to confirm if you require any enhanced support or supervision which has been highlighted via the ARCP process or an investigation process. Any unresolved cause(s) for concern may result in your application being withdrawn from the IDT process during the Vacancy Declaration stage of the process. 
  6. You must have the correct immigration status to be eligible to transfer. We follow the Skilled Worker (Tier 2) guidance as set by the United Kingdom Visas and Immigration (UKVI) when assessing eligibility.
  7. Each of the 4 nations have their own pay scales.
  8. In order to be eligible to apply for a transfer under the IDT process, you must supply any mandatory evidence to support your application as outlined in the Supporting Documents section at the time of application.
  9. We hold the right to reallocate your application to criterion 5, if, after performing eligibility checks, it is deemed that you are ineligible under the criterion in which you have applied (1 to 4) but are still eligible for an IDT as you have provided the correct supporting documents.

Page last reviewed: 26 January 2024
Next review due: 2 January 2025