Apply online via the Apply now button in the job advertisement. You will land on the summary page, which gives an overview of all stages in the application process in a clickable list to help you navigate through your application.

Depending on the role you will either:

- complete an online application form, or

- upload a CV and supporting statement and fill in a short online form, or

- submit an expression of interest  

The on-screen instructions will guide you through the process, whichever application route is required. Please take care to follow the instructions at each step of the online process.

If you are logged into your account, your application saves each time you click next, previous or summary at the foot of any page, so you can leave and return to it at any time.

When you are ready to submit please check that you have completed all required sections in full. Return to the summary screen and click the submit button.

Please provide your current email address and phone number so that we can contact you with the outcome of your application and invite you to interview or a skills assessment, as applicable. 

We want to learn about the real you from your job application and assess whether you genuinely match the requirements for the role and align with our values.

If you use artificial intelligence (AI) to help with your application, we advise that you carefully review any AI generated content to ensure it is a true reflection of what you will bring to the role. You must declare that the information you provide is true and accurate before you can submit your application. 

Shortlisted candidates will progress to a selection process. This may include an in-person interview or assessment and further checks to verify the information in your application and explore your suitability for the role.

You can use AI to:

- develop ideas, refine wording, edit and proofread

- research the organisation, the role and the sector

- suggest interview/selection topics and help you practise responses

You should not use AI to:

- misrepresent your skills, knowledge and experience

- produce content which you use verbatim; always review and personalise

- handle confidential information

- assist with assessment tests or live interviews 

We will ask you to explain how your experience, knowledge and skills equip you for the role so that we can decide whether to shortlist you for an interview or further selection process. 

To give yourself the best chance of being shortlisted we advise you to:

- describe how you meet all the essential requirements for the role, as specified in the job description

- include examples to demonstrate your skills and experience

- think about relevant transferable skills from volunteering, training or other activities outside the workplace too

- where applicable, address any desirable requirements for the role

You should enter this information where directed in the online instructions. Please take care to remain within the specified word count.

If you are applying by submitting a CV, your CV and any supporting statement should explain how you meet the essential requirements. If you are completing an application form, we will ask you to provide one or more of the following:

- a supporting statement that shows how you meet the essential requirements

- your responses to questions specific to the requirements of the role
 

If you are applying by submitting a CV, you must include your full employment history and all relevant qualifications and training in your CV. If you’re applying by application form you should ensure you enter your details in full where prompted.

For either application method, you should:

- list your employment history in chronological order with the most recent first

- outline your duties in each position and reason for leaving

- include paid employment, work placements and voluntary work

- enter exact start and end dates for each position where possible

- if prompted, explain the reason for any periods not in employment, training or education since leaving secondary school

- refer to the job description for details of specific qualifications required

- provide details of relevant qualifications and training courses in your application

Read the safeguarding section on this page to find out why we ask for full details of your work history. 

We will require shortlisted candidates to provide certificates or other documentary evidence of relevant qualifications and training later in the process.

The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 requires candidates for employment to give details of any unspent convictions. You must also disclose any convictions, cautions, reprimands or final warnings that the act defines as not protected. 

You must supply this information by completing a criminal record declaration if we invite you to the next stage of the selection process, such as an interview or skills assessment.

Disclosure does not prevent you applying for a job with us, depending on the role and the circumstances of your offence. However if you fail to disclose applicable information we will withdraw our job offer or dismiss you without notice.

We ask applicants a series of equality monitoring questions, which do not affect your application or the outcome. We encourage you to complete all the questions or select ‘I prefer not to say’. The recruiting manager will not see this equality information as we remove it prior to shortlisting.

We use the information you supply only for monitoring and reporting, to help us ensure that our employment practices are fair and free from unlawful discrimination. We will treat your information in strict confidence and you will not be identified in any data we publish.

We will shortlist applications after the closing date and contact you with the outcome of your application. 

If we shortlist you we will email to invite you to an interview or other assessment process, which may be in person or online. We will ask you to provide documentation confirming your identity, right to work in the UK and any relevant qualifications.

Read our interviews and assessments guidance to find out more about the process and the required documentation.

We cannot reimburse candidates’ expenses for attending interviews or assessments.

Leeds City Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff and volunteers to share our commitment and we reflect this in the way we recruit new staff.

We require your full employment record since leaving school, college or university, including voluntary work and gaps in your work history. You must provide explanations for any periods not in employment, training or education since leaving secondary school.

We follow a robust safer recruitment process for staff who will have contact with children and vulnerable adults or will have access to information about them. We will:

- require a candidate to provide at least 2 references

- check all gaps in employment history

- obtain an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, where applicable

- verify all essential qualifications

- conduct any other checks applicable to the job
 

• Visit the Disclosure and Barring Service for more information.
•  

You must not canvass members of the council in relation to your application. This means you must not seek the support of Elected Members or ask them to influence the outcome of your application. Any attempt to canvass will disqualify you as a candidate for employment.

Before we can confirm a job offer we require at least 2 satisfactory references, including one from your current or most recent employer. The timing varies according to the specific role.

If the role involves working with children and vulnerable adults, you will provide the names and contact details of at least 2 referees on your application form. We will request references for all shortlisted candidates before interview or other assessment process.

For other roles, if you are successful at interview we will ask you to provide names and contact details for your referees. We will obtain references before we confirm our offer of employment.

After issuing a job offer, we ask prospective employees to complete a health declaration before starting work with us. This information supports our commitment to the health and safety of all our colleagues and customers.

The questions in the health declaration are designed to be non-intrusive and proportionate to your role. The information you supply helps us to:

- identify any potential health, safety or wellbeing issues for employees or customers

- put in place any reasonable adjustments to support you in your role throughout your time working with us

- comply with the Equality Act 2010 and support you with Access to Work funding

- monitor and mitigate any work-related risks to employees’ health

- comply with health and safety legislation

We treat all information supplied in the health declaration with the strictest confidence.