Stratford-on-Avon District Council are pleased to announce the Guaranteed Interview Scheme policy which was approved on 5th February 2025.
The Council recognises that there are situations when the use of a guaranteed interview can help and encourage certain groups with different needs, or who are disadvantaged in some way in accessing work.
A guaranteed interview does not mean a guaranteed job. However, it allows for a guaranteed interview where the candidate declares that they meet one of the Guaranteed Interview scheme scope criteria detailed below, and also meet the essential job requirements.
Scope Criteria
Disability Confident Employer Scheme
This scheme guarantees an interview to applicants who declare that they have a disability where they meet the essential criteria for the post.
Employer Defence Recognition Scheme
In line with the Armed Forces Covenant Pledge this scheme guarantees an interview to applicants who meet the essential criteria and declare that they are:
- A serving member of the Armed Forces and who is within 12 weeks of their discharge date.
- A service leaver within 3 years of their Discharge date or where the Armed Forces are the individual's last substantive employer.
Where an Assessment Centre forms the first stage of the recruitment and selection process, the guarantee applies to this first stage not any further stages of the process.
Procedure
The vacancy application form will allow applicants to tick a box to declare in which category they fall, in accordance with paragraph 2.0 of this document.
Recruiting managers will be advised if any applicant is entitled to be considered for a Guaranteed Interview under this scheme.
The Scheme may mean that there could be a longer shortlist of candidates than might otherwise arise. No candidate will be displaced from a shortlist by the application of the Scheme.
The Scheme is not a guaranteed job; selection procedures will still ensure the best candidate for the job is appointed based on objective criteria stated in the Person Specification.
For the Employer Defence Recognition Scheme we will request to see evidence of eligibility at interview stage. This will be:
- Discharge notice for those within 12 weeks of leaving the Armed Forces
- Service record evidencing date of discharge for veterans
- A letter from a senior Officer of the Service individual's Unit, Ship or Establishment to the recruiting manager confirming that the named person is a currently serving member of the Armed Forces
Where an individual has falsely claimed a guaranteed interview under this scheme any offer of employment may be withdrawn or employment terminated.
