Special circumstances: how to apply and what to include

What this article is about
This article explains how special circumstances may apply during recruitment and what information you may need to provide.

Who this is for
Applicants who believe personal, health, caring or other significant circumstances should be considered during recruitment or placement allocation.

What you need to know

• Special circumstances processes are separate from the main recruitment scoring and selection process.
• Approval of special circumstances does not guarantee a training offer.
• Special circumstances may only be considered if you meet the criteria and submit the required evidence.
• The process may affect allocation or placement discussions only where the published process allows.
• You must follow the timescales and evidence requirements in the recruitment guidance.
• Special circumstances are separate from reasonable adjustments, LTFT, OOP, IDT and employer processes.

What to do

1. Read the recruitment guidance for the special circumstances process.
2. Check whether your circumstances meet the criteria.
3. Gather relevant evidence before the deadline.
4. Submit your special circumstances request through the published route.
5. Include clear details of what you are asking to be considered and why.
6. Keep copies of anything you submit.
7. Wait for a formal outcome before assuming your request has been approved.

If this does not work
If your request is declined or cannot be considered, check the reason carefully. If you believe there has been an error, follow the query, complaint or review route set out in the recruitment guidance.

Who to contact
Use the recruitment support route for recruitment special circumstances queries. Use the PGMDE Support Portal for HET local process queries after recruitment information has been received.

What HET can and cannot help with
HET can help with

• Directing you to the correct special circumstances route.
• Supporting local placement discussions after recruitment information has been received, where HET is responsible.
• Advising whether a separate training process may be needed after appointment.

HET cannot help with

• Treating special circumstances approval as a guarantee of an offer.
• Changing national recruitment scoring or ranking.
• Guaranteeing a preferred location, employer, rota or placement.
• Considering late requests outside the published process unless the process allows it.

Related articles

• Special circumstances: eligibility criteria and how to apply
• Requesting reasonable adjustments for the recruitment process
• New starter registration: what happens after you accept an offer

Last reviewed
 Last reviewed: 19 June 2026