Inclusive recruitment

Our approach to fair hiring 

We are committed to fair and inclusive hiring practices. Central to our approach is adherence to the NHSScotland Workforce Policies, which mandate non-discriminatory, fair, and consistent treatment of all applicants and employees.

Each policy is rooted in our core values of care and compassion, dignity and respect, openness, honesty, and teamwork.

Learn more about our values.

Application and interview support 

Are you applying to join us? Great! We want to make sure everything is clear and easy for you. If you need reasonable adjustments to help you with your application or interview, please reach out. You'll find contact information for the recruitment team or the hiring manager in the job advert.

Requesting reasonable adjustments

Do you need a little extra support during your application? No problem at all! Just let us know at any point. We can provide application forms in large print, Braille, or audio. And during your interview, if you need more time or a different interview format, just ask! We're here to help make the whole process work for you.

Even after you join us, we'll make sure your workplace has what you need. Reasonable adjustments can include:

• ergonomic chair
• adjustable height desk
• flexible work pattern
• flexible work location
• providing documents and emails in an accessible format
• changing lighting above a workstation
• providing access for an assistance dog

Learn more about reasonable adjustments at work.

Disability Confident Employer  

We are a Disability Confident Employer, committed to recruiting, retaining, and developing disabled people.

All NHSScotland employers support the Guaranteed Interview Scheme. This means that if you are disabled and meet the essential criteria for a role, you'll be guaranteed an interview.

Find out more about our recruitment process.

Return to work

We have initiatives to support you if you're returning to work after an extended career break or managing a long-term health condition.

Returning to practice in the NHS

Return to practice programmes for qualified healthcare professionals provide opportunities to update skills through placement-based learning and study.

Find out more about returning to practice.

Career breaks

If you have at least 12 months of continuous NHS service, you could be eligible to take an unpaid career break. Career breaks can be used for:

• caring for a dependant
• continuing childcare following maternity or adoption leave
• returning to education
• doing voluntary work

Learn more about our Career Break Policy.

Our approach to anti-racism 

We are committed to being an anti-racist organisation, where our work helps to do the following:

• eliminate racism
• remove racialised inequalities
• reduce racial prejudice

Each of our boards across Scotland is developing and implementing an anti-racism plan. These plans aim to eliminate racial inequality through policy reform, equitable access to healthcare, and diverse representation of roles across NHSScotland.