Guidance on how to complete our application form All applicants must fill in an application form. This will promote equal opportunities by giving the short listing panel the same range of information about all the candidates. Please do not send in a CV as they will not be accepted. The application must provide all the information required about your skills, qualifications, career history and reasons for applying. It is required that an application form is accompanied by a people matching form, please do provide it. (The people matching form enables you to highlight your hobbies, interests, skills and abilities which is useful when matching individuals to individuals with similar hobbies, interests, skills and abilities. This will facilitate person centred working.) Preparation before filling in the form:  Read the job description, person specification and the application form very carefully (The job description contains details about the duties that you will be expected to undertake. The person specification identifies the skills, knowledge and experience you will need )  Look at your experience and skills acquired within paid employment.  Look at your experience and skills acquired outside of paid employment such as through personal interest, voluntary work or community involvement.  Do a rough draft first Completing the application form  You can either: complete the application form electronically and email it to us or complete by hand. If you complete the application form by hand please write in BLOCK capitals and in blank ink  Answer the specific question and try to be concise and therefore stick to the point  Give real life examples that show you have the skills, abilities, knowledge and experience required for the position. (Please review the job description and person specification to identify what these are)  Make sure it is clear what relevant skills, knowledge and abilities you have for the role  Number any additional sheets, put your name and specify what question the sheet (s) relate to  When completing your employment history, put your current or most recent work first and then work backwards  If the Person Specification states that the post requires specific qualifications e.g. NVQ 2 please ensures that you state clearly on your application that you possess the required qualification.  When providing details of referees, it is essential that the first referee is your current or most recent employer. The other references should cover the three years prior to the date of your application.  If you have difficulty providing employer’s details you may give details of a teacher, lecturer or other professional who has known you in an official capacity. A reference should not be provided by a colleague, friend, relative or anyone living in the same household as you. Completing the people matching form:  Read information about the organisation, people matching guidance, job description, person specification and the information about the services very carefully (The people matching form enables you to highlight your hobbies, interests, skills and abilities which is useful when matching individuals to service to facilitate person centred working.)  If you are required to complete a people matching form, look at the people matching guidance sheet and the job description to help you create your own people matching sheet which provides information about you. This information is important as it will support your application as we have a better understanding about your skills and interests. Submitting your application form  If you submit your application form by email, please input on the subject line of the email, the job title you are applying for, the job reference number and the preferential work location.  When you submit your application via post or email please ensure you have provided your completed people matching sheet.  When you submit your application via post or email please double check that you have completed the all aspects of the application form, including the ” Offending history” form and the Equality and Diversity Monitoring form”  Check that you have sent the application form to the correct organisation email address or postal address.  Submit your application by 12pm on the closing date given in the advert Application forms can be submitted by: Email to: [email protected] By post: HR, Certitude , Floor 3, Westgate House, London, W5 1YY I would like to take this opportunity to wish you good luck in your application Certitude is an equal opportunities employers and actively encourage applicants with learning disabilities or mental health needs.