Overview of special circumstances

Special Circumstances

This process ensures that if you have special circumstances and a requirement to train in a particular location, you are treated in a fair and consistent way.

Special circumstances is different to reasonable adjustments. If you are eligible, you can apply to have your circumstances taken into consideration, allowing you to be pre-allocated into a post, subject to it meeting the requirements of your training programme

Purpose of the special circumstances process

The special circumstances process allows applicants who have a requirement to train in a specific location to be pre-allocated to a region if they are eligible to receive an offer.

The process is not designed to give applicants an advantage in the selection process, but will help applicants who are eliglble to receive an offer to be allocated to the region they are restricted to, where vacancies exist in the programmes preferenced.

Eligiblity criteria

If you fall into one of the following eligibility criteria, you can apply to have your circumstances taken into consideration:

Criterion 1

You are the primary carer for someone who is disabled, as defined by the Equality Act 2010.

Criterion 2

You have a medical condition or disability for which ongoing follow up for the condition in the specified location is an absolute requirement.

Criterion 3

You are in the process of adopting a child and remaining in the current location is an absolute requirement.

Reasonable adjustments

If you require reasonable adjustments to attend an interview or take up a training post, you should ensure that you state this on your application form and make contact with the Lead Recruiter as soon as an interview invitation is received to discuss your requirements. Reasonable adjustments will not be managed through the special circumstances process.

Special circumstances process description

A description of the full special circumstances process and a flow chart is available to view.

Special circumstances outside of the timeline

Special circumstances cannot be considered outside of the timelines as part of this process. If you develop special circumstances after the deadline for the recruitment round in which you have applied, you should ensure that you only rank preferences in geographical locations in which you are able to accept an offer. Should an offer ultimately be made, contact should be made directly with the region where the offer has been made to explore opportunities for consideration of special circumstances. 

Data protection

We understand that information relating to special circumstances applications is extremely personal and sensitive. Your data will be handled in accordance with the data protection notice published on Oriel.

Your special circumstances application form and any evidence you submit will be shared with eligibility panel members using a secure file sharing service, with access removed immediately after the review panel has taken place.

No information relating to special circumstances applications will be shared with shortlisting or interview panel members.

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