Foundation Programme : FPAS and disability

[This post is now several years old. For up to date information on FPAS, please see www.foundationprogramme.nhs.uk]

Here are some specific things to consider related to FPAS applications as a follow-up to yesterday's post, again with reference to the 2012 applicant's handbook :

- Some with evidence of a good reason they need to be placed in a specific foundation school (for example, school-aged children, staying with a certain healthcare team) can apply to do so. The application and evidence must be submitted by 29 Sept. However, this isn't a guarantee that you will get a job in this foundation school - you still have to have as high a score to be allocated a place as you would otherwise.

- The form does ask if you are disabled or have health problems. This will not affect your allocation to a foundation school (which is based purely on your score), but the foundation school will see it. Bear in mind that it takes time to put adaptations in place so it is probably wise to disclose at the time of application. You can tell them later in the process, but you don't want to give folk any excuse to not adequately deal with your needs.

*Edit : I am investigating this point further, in relation to a comment left below.*

- If you want to link your application to somehow - which may be extra important if, like me, your partner is also your carer to whatever degree - bear in mind two things :

1) You will both be assigned based according to the lower of the two scores

2) Linking applications will limit the number of posts you can apply for, because not all posts have a suitable 'sister' post that will work.

You need to talk this stuff out in advance, to avoid nasty surprises.

- Your referee will be asked if you have any health problems which will have an impact on your work. I think that this is really odd. To be frank, I don't think it is your referee's place to disclose personal information about you. For one, these referees are colleagues/supervisors - and my health, or lack of it, is none of their business to start with. I don't think it's appropriate, but maybe it's a standard questions for employers to ask referees, I don't know.

- The handbook points out that spelling and grammar mistakes can cause you to be marked down in the questions section. I would suggest that if this is likely to be an issue, you ask someone to proofread, which is allowed (and is probably a good idea anyway).