Evidence for applicants who are the primary carer of someone with a disability

If you are applying for special circumstances because you are the primary carer of someone with a disability, the evidence required is detailed below.

Application process

If you wish to be considered for special circumstances, you must complete all of the following steps:

  1. Ensure that you indicate that you wish to apply for special circumstances on your Oriel application form.
  2. Complete the following registration form. Please note, the form will only be available during the published application window.
Complete the special circumstances registration form
  1. Download and complete the relevant special circumstances application form.
  2. Print and scan your special circumstances application form, along with all of your supporting evidence as a single document and email it to [email protected].

Supporting evidence

You must provide all of the following:

A fully completed Criterion 1 - Primary Carer application form

This can be downloaded from this page.

Proof of your current address and the address of the person being cared for, dated within the last 3 months

Examples of acceptable evidence include:

  • bank statement
  • council tax bill
  • credit card statement
  • driving licence
  • mobile phone bill
  • mortgage statement
  • utility bill
  • HMRC letter

Electronic documents downloaded from online banks or online utility providers will be accepted.

If you cannot provide proof of address for the person being cared for, please contact [email protected] for advice.

Additional evidence required

If the person you are caring for has a formal care plan

You must provide a copy of their care plan. This must

  • be provided on headed paper.
  • be written by a general practitioner or social services professional
  • be dated within 6 months of the application deadline.
  • be current i.e. written for the purpose of this application.

Examples of evidence

The examples below are provided to help you understand the requirements of a care plan, based on evidence submitted by applicants in previous recruitment rounds.

Examples of acceptable evidence

...is registered with (xxxxxx) as a primary carer for her husband.

...is the designated primary carer for her mother.

...(xxxxx) is her only carer.

... the only carer she has.

Examples of rejected evidence

Dr (xxxxx) is a registered carer for her son.

Dr (xxxxx) provides substantial care for her mother.

... involved in supporting and caring for her sister.

... he and his mother are the main carers for his father.

... acts as a supporting carer.

If you are not named as the parent or carer on the care plan

You must also provide a written statement confirming your role as primary carer. This must

  • be on headed paper.
  • be written by a general practitioner or social services professional.
  • confirm your role as primary carer for the person being cared for.
  • confirm their disability
  • be dated within 6 months of the application deadline.
Information:

If your evidence has been received electronically and has not been signed or has an electronic signature, please also provide a copy of the email the evidence was attached to in the evidence pack.

If the person you are caring for has an Educational Health and Care Plan (EHCP)

You must provide a copy of the EHCP. This must:

  • be on headed paper.
  • be written by a local authority officer or Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO).

If an EHCP is not available at the time of application

You must provide confirmation from your local authority officer or SENCO that an assessment has taken place and that the development of the EHCP is in progress.

If you are not named as a parent on the EHCP

You must also provide a written statement confirming your role as primary carer. This must

  • be on headed paper.
  • be written by a general practitioner or social services professional.
  • confirm your role as primary carer for the person being cared for.
  • confirm their disability
  • be dated within 6 months of the application deadline.
Information:

If your evidence has been received electronically and has not been signed or has an electronic signature, please also provide a copy of the email the evidence was attached to in the evidence pack.

If the person you are caring for does not have a formal care plan or EHCP

You must provide one of the following pieces of evidence:

A written statement confirming your role as primary carer detailing your caring responsibilities

This letter must:

  • be on headed paper from a general practitioner or social services professional.
  • confirm your role as primary carer for the person you are caring for.
  • confirmation of the disability of the person being cared for. Primary caring responsibilities where conditions are not classed as disabilities under the Equality Act 2010 will not be considered
  • be dated within 6 months of the application deadline.
  • be signed by a recognised authority.
  • contain details of your caring responsibilities and activities.
Information:

If your evidence has been received electronically and has not been signed or has an electronic signature, please also provide a copy of the email the evidence was attached to in the evidence pack.

A care plan written by you which has been attested as accurate by the General Practitioner of the person being cared for AND a written statement confirming your role as primary carer

The statement must

  • be on headed paper.
  • be written by a general practitioner or social services professional.
  • confirm your role as primary carer for the person being cared for.
  • confirm their disability.
  • be dated within 6 months of the application deadline.
Information:

If your evidence has been received electronically and has not been signed or has an electronic signature, please also provide a copy of the email the evidence was attached to in the evidence pack.

A fully completed Supporting Evidence for Primary Carer form

If you are unable to obtain a care plan or written statement confirming your role as a primary carer, you may provide a countersigned MDRS Special Circumstances - Supporting Evidence for Primary Carer form.

The form must:

  • be completed in full.
  • be dated within 6 months of the application deadline.
  • be countersigned by a recognised professional who must have a relevant professional relationship with the person you are the primary carer for. Examples of recognised professionals who can countersign the form include:
    • Chiropodist
    • Dentist
    • Nurse
    • Optician
    • Pharmacist
    • Social worker
    • Headteacher
    • Doctor – (either General Practitioner or treating doctor)
    • Allied Health Professional
    • Midwife
Information:

If your evidence has been received electronically and has not been signed or has an electronic signature, please also provide a copy of the email the evidence was attached to in the evidence pack.

Joint application evidence

Where more than one applicant has caring responsibilities for an individual, a joint application can be submitted, with a single set of evidence. You must both be named as main carers in the evidence.

Page last reviewed: 24 September 2026
Next review due: 23 September 2027