Civil Service Application - Disability Confident

[LittleFieldMouse]

I've planning on applying for a Civil Service job which I'm very well qualified for. It's a relatively high level post but I'm effectively doing almost exactly the same job in my current (non-CS) organisation so I think (hope) that I will be quite competitive in the initial sift. However I do have a long-term medical condition (well managed and I am able to work full time) which means that I could apply using the Disability Confident scheme. I'm slightly worried about doing so though as I wonder if it might count against me? Wondering if anyone has any experience in this area and can offer some advice? Thank you.

When I applied a few years ago I was asked to see their own medical specialist as I’d had MH issues a few years before. It was just a way of ensuring I was fit for the job, just saw it as another part of the application process no big deal

Yes do it. The declaration is separate for the sift prior to interview selection . Good luck!

I work in CS, and have done recruitment before. It won't (and should not) be held against you.

I do recruitment in a civil-service- adjacent type job..we would not even know about any disability until we had made an offer, unless it directly impacted your interview and you asked for reasonable adjustments.

@Goawayangryman

I do recruitment in a civil-service- adjacent type job..we would not even know about any disability until we had made an offer, unless it directly impacted your interview and you asked for reasonable adjustments.

True, but it does show on applications that candidates have ticked the DCS box. It's not held against them though.

By which I mean, if the dept you are applying to is anything like mine then there will be a central HR team that helps compile long,- and short- list but will not disclose disabilities to the actual interview panelists unless they necessitate adjustments at the interview stage.

The civil service is one of the most disability friendly employers out there, I'd go for it as the guaranteed interview slot is hugely valuable. If you're coming from the private sector, you're likely to feel once you see the frequency of adjustments and levels of sick leave in some areas.

I do a lot of recruitment and only pay attention to whether anyone has ticked the disability confident box if we raise the minimum score. The standard minimum score is 4 out of 7 for each question. However if there are a lot of applications it might be raised to 5 out of 7 but you still let people through under the disability confident scheme if they score 4.

From my experience, I would use it.

As others have said, the details of the disability or adjustments requested aren’t shown to the people scoring the application, just whether the box has been ticked.
Then if you get to the interview it shows if you need any adjustments specifically for the interview.

Thank you everyone. Lots of great advice. I will go for it and tick the box.

The success profiles and competencies are somewhat blowing my mind though! Wish me luck!!