How long should NHS supporting information be?

There is no single right length. Aim to cover every essential criterion with a short example; for most Band 2-5 roles that is roughly 500-1,000 words. Relevance matters more than length.

Should I use headings in my NHS supporting information?

Yes. Headings that match the person specification make it easy for the shortlister to find your evidence for each criterion.

Do I need to mention the NHS values?

If the advert or person specification mentions the trust's values, show them through your examples (for example compassion or respect in how you cared for someone), not just by naming them.

Can you help with visa or sponsorship questions?

No. We don't give immigration, visa, sponsorship or registration advice. Check the advert, the trust and GOV.UK.

NHS Supporting Information: How Shortlisters Read It, With Examples

The supporting information section of an NHS application is where most shortlisting decisions are made. The shortlister works down the person specification, essential criteria first, and checks your statement for evidence of each one. An essential criterion you don't address is usually marked as not met. Here is how to write it so every criterion is easy to find, with a Band 3 example and a weaker version of the same application.

Check your own statement

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How NHS shortlisting works

Each NHS job has a person specification listing essential and desirable criteria under headings such as qualifications, experience, skills and knowledge, often with a note of whether each is assessed at application, interview or both. Shortlisters score or tick the criteria assessed at application, and most trusts only shortlist applicants who meet all the essential ones. Many trusts also ask how you reflect the NHS or trust values; if the advert asks, address them.

Use the person specification's headings, in its order.
Give a brief example for each essential criterion: what you did and what happened.
Point to qualifications and registrations you have (and where they appear in your form).
Pitch the examples at the band: Band 3 is about doing tasks well and safely; Band 6 adds leading a shift, teaching and improvement.
Mention the desirable criteria you meet.

Example: Healthcare Support Worker, Band 3

Person specification (essential unless marked): literacy and numeracy; Care Certificate or willingness to complete it; experience of personal care in a health or care setting; communicating with patients who may be anxious or confused; recording observations accurately; teamwork; infection prevention and control; dementia care (desirable).

Supporting information, Band 3 Healthcare Support Worker

I am applying for the Healthcare Support Worker post on the elderly care ward because I have two years' experience as a care assistant and I want to develop my skills in a hospital setting.

Qualifications I have GCSEs in English and maths at grade 5 and I completed the Care Certificate in 2025 at my current employer.

Personal care In my role at a 40-bed nursing home, I support residents with washing, dressing, eating and continence care. I make sure each resident's dignity is respected, for example by asking how they like to be helped and keeping them covered during personal care. I follow each person's care plan and tell the nurse in charge about any changes.

Communicating with anxious or confused patients Many of our residents live with dementia. One resident became very distressed every evening and refused help to get ready for bed. I spoke to her family and learned that she used to work night shifts, so I started her routine later and talked to her about her old job while I helped her. Her evening distress reduced and she began to accept care without needing two staff.

Recording observations I take and record temperature, pulse, blood pressure and weight on our electronic system, and I calculate fluid balance for residents at risk of dehydration. When I noticed a resident's fluid intake had dropped over two days, I reported it to the nurse, who arranged a GP review, and an infection was treated early.

Teamwork I work closely with nurses, other carers and the activities team. I often help new starters on their first shifts and I pass on important information at handover.

Infection prevention and control I follow hand hygiene and PPE procedures and I helped to manage an outbreak of norovirus last winter by cohorting residents and cleaning equipment between uses. Our home had no new cases after the first week.

Dementia care I completed a dementia awareness course and I use what I learned every day.

I would bring kindness, reliability and a willingness to learn to your team.

Why it scores this way

Every criterion has its own heading in the person specification's order, so the shortlister can tick each one off.
Communication, observations and infection control each have a specific example with an outcome (less distress at bedtime, an infection caught early, no new cases after the first week).
Teamwork and dementia knowledge are evidenced but briefly; that is fine at Band 3.
It is honest and in the candidate's own voice.

The same job, with gaps

Supporting information that would likely not be shortlisted

I would like to apply for the position of Healthcare Support Worker. I have always wanted to work for the NHS because I am a caring person and I enjoy helping others.

For the last year I have worked as a home carer, visiting people in their own homes to help them with things like washing, dressing and preparing meals. I really enjoy this job because I get to know the people I care for and I can see that I make a difference to their day. I am patient and kind and I always treat people with respect.

I am a good communicator and I get on well with people. I am also a team player and I am happy to help my colleagues.

Before this I worked in a café for three years, where I learned to work under pressure and to deal with customers.

I am reliable and I am flexible with my hours, including nights and weekends. I am keen to learn and I would love the chance to develop my career in the NHS.

Why it scores this way

Personal care experience is there (home carer), so one essential criterion is met.
No mention of literacy and numeracy, the Care Certificate, recording observations or infection control: four essential criteria with no evidence.
Communication and teamwork are claims ("I am a good communicator") with no example.
Flexibility with hours is useful but not on the person specification.

Before you submit

Put the person specification next to your statement and find the sentence that proves each essential criterion. If there isn't one, or it is only a claim about yourself, add a short example. Our checker does this for every criterion you paste and marks each one evidenced, weak or missing, with the sentence it found. It gives feedback only and never writes your application. It does not give advice on visas, sponsorship or registration.