The NICS Guaranteed Interview Scheme and reasonable adjustments

If you have a disability, you can ask the Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS) to consider your application under its Guaranteed Interview Scheme. If you meet the minimum essential criteria for the job, you go through to the next stage without extra shortlisting, wherever the numbers make that possible. It does not guarantee a job. Asking for reasonable adjustments is a separate request, though you make it on the same form.

Where the scheme applies

The NICS policy says the scheme applies to external recruitment where minimum essential criteria and some form of shortlisting are used. Each competition’s Candidate Information Booklet should say how it will operate for that competition. You apply under the scheme by declaring on the application form that you want to use it. The general process is covered in how to apply for Northern Ireland Civil Service jobs.

The minimum essential criteria are the skills, experience or qualifications every candidate must have. The NICS says recruiting managers must check that they are genuinely needed for the job and do not put disabled people off applying. If your form does not show that you meet them, you will not get an interview under the scheme.

When an interview cannot be guaranteed

An interview may not be guaranteed if the competition has no minimum essential criteria, or if those criteria are assessed by a test in a large-volume competition and too many people pass for all to be interviewed. In that case a limited number of interviews go out in merit order based on test score, under a positive action rule: the share of scheme applicants interviewed should reflect their share of those who passed. The policy gives an example. If 10% of people passing the test are scheme applicants, at least 10% of those interviewed will be. Where needed, scheme applicants can be interviewed ahead of non-disabled candidates in merit order to meet that share.

The booklet for the competition you want says how the scheme will run there. For how scores feed into offers, see NICS merit lists explained.

Who counts as disabled

The scheme uses the definition in the Disability Discrimination Act 1995: a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on your ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. Substantial means more than minor or trivial. Long-term means it has lasted, or is expected to last, at least 12 months. The policy adds that people with HIV, cancer and multiple sclerosis are treated as covered from diagnosis.

You do not upload proof when you apply. You confirm on the form that your answers are true, and the NICS reserves the right to ask for information to confirm you are eligible. Anyone found to have given false answers can be disqualified or, if already appointed, face disciplinary action.

Reasonable adjustments are a separate request

Tick the reasonable adjustment box on the application form if you need support to attend any part of the assessment or interview. The NICS then puts you in touch with an Occupational Psychologist, who talks through the process and your condition to identify suitable adjustments. Details of your disability are used only for that purpose and play no part in selection.

You need to supply evidence, such as an occupational psychologist’s report or a GP statement. Send it to [email protected] as soon as possible after you apply, with the competition reference number on it (the IRC number on the front of the Candidate Information Booklet). Title the message “Supporting evidence for reasonable adjustment request”. The NICS says to make the request before any testing or interview stage, so do not leave it late.

If you need documents in braille, easy read, large print or audio, contact HRConnect on 0800 1 300 330. If you are successful, the NICS may ask what adjustments you need to take up the post.

For adjustments in recruitment generally, see asking for reasonable adjustments in recruitment, and for schemes across other employers see Disability Confident and guaranteed interviews.

What to check

• The booklet for the competition, which should explain how the scheme will work in that process.
• That you meet every minimum essential criterion and show it on the form, since the scheme only guarantees an interview to those who do.
• That the evidence for adjustments reaches HRConnect with the right reference before testing begins.
• That recorded video interviews have an agreed adjustment in place if you need one. See NICS competency-based and video interviews.

Appointments are still made on merit under the Civil Service Commissioners for Northern Ireland Recruitment Code, according to the NICS.