Supporting statement

The supporting statement is an important part of your application.  It gives you a chance to show that you’re a fit for the job and helps us decide whether to invite you to interview:

Planning your Supporting Statement

Read the advert carefully:

• Make a note of any special instructions for the supporting statement and the knowledge, skills and experience needed for the role.

Read the role profile

• Make a note of the essential criteria and anything desirable that you have experience of

• Group the criteria if possible - you can structure your supporting statement around it.  See the Care Assistant example below

Think of your own experience, knowledge and skills:

• Do they match the job requirements in the advert and role profile?
• Think of some examples from your experience that would show how you meet the job criteria.  If you group the criteria, try to have an example for each category.

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Writing your Supporting Statement

You should include:

• Why you are interested in the vacancy
• How your knowledge, skills and experience meet the essential criteria
• Include some relevant examples to demonstrate the match between your experience, skills and knowledge and the job criteria
  • Tell us what YOU did
  • If you can’t think of something from work, you can use examples from study, volunteering, home or other personal interests.

• Provide enough detail so we can assess your application against the criteria set out in the role profile.

If you use your smartphone to apply, you will need to download the Word App before you add details, save to files, and attach to your application form.

Don’t forget to read it over before submitting.

Once you have submitted, you will receive an email to confirm that your application has been received. Make sure to check your Junk/Spam folder.

Sample Supporting Statement - Care Assistant

This example is based on a Care Assistant role, but the steps can be used for any job.

Although this is not the only way to write a supporting statement, it is a good way to structure it to make sure it covers the key skills and experience on the role profile.

Step 1: Read the Role Profile

Look for the key skills and experience required.

Step 2: Group the Criteria

This helps you structure your statement. For example:

• Care Experience: Personal care, physical tasks, knowledge of National Care Standards
• Personal Skills: Working independently, decision-making, communication, teamwork, flexibility
• IT Skills: Basic computer or mobile device use

Step 3: Think of Examples

Choose one example for each group that shows how you meet the criteria.

Step 4: Write Your Statement

Start with why you’re applying and why you’d be a good fit. Then:

• Care Experience: Share a time you supported someone with personal care. If you don’t have formal experience, use personal examples (e.g. caring for a family member). Mention any physical tasks or knowledge of care standards.
• Personal Skills: Use examples that show how you’ve worked independently, made decisions, communicated well, or worked in a team — from work, school, or personal life.
• IT Skills: Mention any experience using computers or mobile devices — even for things like online banking, scheduling, or communication.

Step 5: Final Check and Submit

Proofread your statement, run a spell check, and include your full name before submitting.