Guaranteed Interview Scheme for Care-Experienced and Disabled Applicants
At Cognus Limited, we are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone has equitable access to employment opportunities. As part of this commitment, we operate a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for eligible care-experienced applicants and disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria of a role as defined in the job description and person specification.
The scheme supports our commitment as a Corporate Parent, and as a Disability Confident employer and aligns with our equality, diversity and inclusion objectives, and helps remove barriers that some applicants may face when accessing employment opportunities.
How the Guaranteed Interview Scheme Works
Applicants are eligible for a guaranteed interview where they:
- Identify themselves as either care-experienced and/or disabled during the application process.
- Meet all the published essential criteria outlined in the person specification for the role. Applicants should not be excluded because they do not meet desirable criteria or because other applicants appear stronger overall.
- Complete the relevant declaration within the application form.
A guaranteed interview does not guarantee appointment. Appointment decisions will be based on performance throughout the selection process and the extent to which candidates demonstrate the knowledge, skills and experience required for the role.
Care Leavers
As part of our role as a Corporate Parent and our Family Firm approach, we offer a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for eligible care-experienced applicants.
If you are aged 16–25, have experience of being in care, and meet the essential criteria for a vacancy, you will be guaranteed an interview for the role.
We recognise that care-experienced applicants can encounter barriers to employment that may not affect others. This scheme helps ensure applicants have a fair opportunity to demonstrate their skills, experience and potential
Who is eligible?
The London Borough of Sutton defines a care-experienced person as:
Anyone who has been in the care of a Local Authority for any period of their childhood.
In line with our Corporate Parenting commitments, the Care-Experienced Guaranteed Interview Scheme applies to applicants aged 16-25 who have experience of being in care.
To be eligible for a guaranteed interview, you must:
- Be aged 16–25.
- Identify yourself as care-experienced on your application form.
- Meet all of the essential criteria listed in the person specification for the role.
Disabled Applicants
As a Disability Confident employer, we offer a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for disabled applicants. Applicants who identify themselves as disabled during the recruitment process and who meet all the essential criteria for the role will be offered a guaranteed interview under the scheme.
Who is eligible?
For the purposes of the Guaranteed Interview Scheme, a disability is defined in accordance with the Equality Act 2010 as a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on a person’s ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.
To be eligible for a guaranteed interview, you must:
- Identify yourself as disabled during the application process.
- Meet all the essential criteria listed in the person specification.
- Complete the relevant declaration within the application form.
How do I apply?
When completing your application, you will be asked:
Are you care-experienced?
Yes ☐ No ☐
and/or
Do you consider yourself to be disabled under the Equality Act 2010?
Yes ☐ No ☐
By selecting ‘Yes’, and demonstrating that you meet the essential criteria for the role, you will be considered under our Guaranteed Interview Scheme.
Our Commitment
Cognus is proud to support care-experienced and disabled applicants and is committed to creating an inclusive and accessible workplace. We recognise the value that people with diverse experiences and perspectives bring to our organisation and are committed to identifying and removing barriers to employment wherever possible.
Through our Guaranteed Interview Scheme, we aim to provide equitable access to employment opportunities and encourage applications from talented candidates from all backgrounds.
If you have any questions about the scheme or require support during the recruitment process, please contact our recruitment team. recruitment@cognus.org.uk