Supporting Statements

How to Write a High-Scoring Health Supporting Statement

Your Health supporting statement is where you prove you meet the person specification. It's not a cover letter. It's not a summary of your CV. It's a structured, evidence-based document that directly addresses each criterion.

If your supporting statement doesn't match the person specification line by line, you won't get shortlisted — even if you're qualified.

What Is an Health Supporting Statement?

An Health supporting statement (sometimes called a personal statement) is a document where you demonstrate how you meet the essential and desirable criteria listed in the person specification.

It's typically 1-2 pages (or up to 1,000-1,500 words) and should be clear, structured, and evidence-based.

The Structure of a High-Scoring Supporting Statement

1. Opening Paragraph (2-3 sentences)

State which role you're applying for, why you're interested, and a brief summary of your relevant experience.

Example: "I am applying for the Band 6 Staff Nurse position in Acute Medicine. With 5 years of experience in acute care and a proven track record in patient safety and clinical leadership, I am confident I can contribute to delivering high-quality, compassionate care."

2. Address Each Essential Criterion

Go through the person specification and address each essential criterion with a specific example using the STAR method:

• Situation: Set the context
• Task: What needed to be done
• Action: What you did
• Result: The measurable outcome

Example: "The person specification requires experience in clinical leadership. In my current role, I led a quality improvement project to reduce medication errors. I identified gaps in the double-check protocol, trained 12 staff members, and implemented a new system. As a result, medication errors decreased by 30% over 6 months."

3. Address Desirable Criteria (If You Have Them)

If you meet any desirable criteria, address them briefly. This can give you extra points in shortlisting.

4. Closing Paragraph

Reiterate your enthusiasm for the role and how your values align with the Health.

Example: "I am passionate about delivering compassionate, patient-centered care and continuously improving clinical practice. I would be honored to bring my skills and experience to your team."

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Being too generic: "I'm a good communicator" without evidence
• Not addressing all criteria: Skipping essential criteria = automatic rejection
• Writing in paragraphs without structure: Use clear headings for each criterion
• Exceeding word limits: Stick to the guidelines
• Spelling and grammar errors: Proofread multiple times

Top Tips for Success

• Use the exact wording from the person specification as headings
• Quantify your achievements wherever possible
• Show Health values in every example
• Keep it natural and human — don't overcomplicate
• Get feedback from someone who understands Health recruitment