Are you our next NHS Cadet?
We are delighted that you are interested in our programme! Our Cadets come from a diverse range of backgrounds: examples could include caring for a family member, being a refugee, or coming from a minority ethnic background. There is no 'typical' NHS Cadet, and there could be one or more reasons why our programme would be a good match for you.
We need to make sure NHS Cadets is helping those who will benefit most from our pathways into healthcare, and we measure this though our application form. Some of the questions might feel a bit personal at first. Remember you can select 'prefer not to say', or tell us about yourself in your own words too.
Click each header to find out what we ask on the application form. We'll explain more about each point to help you understand if you qualify.
Do you identify with one or more of these statements?
I'm from a minority ethnic group
NHS Cadets champions diversity: we aim to be ethnically diverse and mirror the communities we work in. We would love to hear from you if you identify as having an ethnic minority background.
There are lots of different ethnic groups, and an ethnic minority is defined as all groups except the White British group. Minority ethnic groups can include Asian, Asian British, Black, African, Caribbean, Arab, and a full list can be found on this website.
Helpful facts:
- Sometimes ethnicities can be listed as nationalities, such as Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Chinese.
- You can be from a White minority ethnic group, and this could include Gypsy, Roma and Irish Traveller groups.
- If you are from a Mixed ethnic group, you will identify with more than one of these groups. Mixed and Multiple ethnic backgrounds are recognised as minority ethnic groups, and this includes people with part White British heritage.
I am not the only ethnic minority in my group - I was really glad to see how inclusive and diverse the programme is. Foundation NHS Cadet, who identifies as having a minority ethnic background
How to tell us when you apply:
“Are you from a minority ethnic group?”
You can select 'Yes', 'No' or 'Prefer not to say'. This information will help your application if it is your main reason for applying.
More information about ethnicities is available here from the Government’s website.
I consider myself part of the LGBTQI+ community | I am Questioning
We really want to make sure that NHS Cadets is representative of the LGBTQI+ community, removing any barriers to a future in healthcare. The LGBTQI+ community includes a diverse range of identities, and here is Stonewall's Glossary to provide more information about each of them.
Helpful facts :
- The abbreviation LGBTQI+ stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer, and Intersex. The plus includes a range of other identities within the community.
- Questioning can also be included under "Q". This is the process of exploring your sexual attraction and/or gender identity.
- The Ace and Aro spectrum includes people who have a lack of sexual or romantic attraction, as well as those who identify with different points of this scale. This spectrum includes individuals who identify as Asexual, Aromantic or Demisexual.
The programme has given me a better understanding of people’s roles within the NHS...Most importantly though, it has made me feel accepted. Foundation NHS Cadet, who identifies as being part of the LGBTQI+ community
Gender identity and sexual attraction can overlap to make you who you are, but they are also different terms which should not be confused with each other. For this reason, we do not ask you about each in the same question of the application.
For more information please view these links:
How to tell us when you apply:
“What is your gender?”
You can select ‘Male’ ‘Female’, ‘Non-binary’, ‘Prefer to self-describe’ or ‘Prefer not to say’.
We don’t ask you directly about sexual or romantic attraction. If this is part of the reason you identify as being part of the LGBTQI+ community, please let us know in the text box for this question:
“Is there anything else that you think would make you suitable for NHS Cadets?”
I’m not in education, employment or training (NEET) | I'm at risk of this
NHS Cadets aims to provide a range of valuable learning and volunteering opportunities. We welcome your application if you are not in education, training or employment (NEET), or at risk of being in this situation.
To support you with your next steps, we'll introduce you to a range of options in healthcare, and help develop your understanding of what a future in health could look like.
If you need support with issues relating to work or study, The Mix have a great section full of tools and guidance.
They have shown me many different career choices and I have talked to lots of people who do different jobs. NHS Cadet, who told us they were uncertain about their career path
What counts as at risk of being NEET?
This might include:
- Being excluded from school or college
- Attending a pupil referral unit (PRU)
- You received fewer than 5 GCSEs at grades 4-9 (or low KS4 grades)
- You are predicted to receive fewer than 5 GCSEs at grades 4-9 (or low KS4 grades)
What counts as NEET?
To count as NEET, all of these will apply to you:
- You are not in education. This includes being enrolled onto a course, waiting for term to start, or doing an apprenticeship.
- You are not in training. This includes job-based training, a government training programme, or any other type of training in the past 4 weeks.
- You are not in employment. This includes paid work and part-time work.
More information about what counts as NEET is available from the Office for National Statistics.
How to tell us when you apply:
There are two questions which help us see if the programme is a good fit for you:
About your education: which of the following applies to you?
There are a number of options in the dropdown menu where you can let us know about your employment, training and education status. Pick the one which fits you best.
I received poor grades or I expect to receive poor grades.
You can choose from "Yes", "No" or "Prefer not to say".
If you would prefer to let us know about your situation in your own words, please use the following section:
Is there anything else that you think would make you suitable for NHS Cadets?
I’m struggling with my progress at school or college
NHS Cadets is different to academic education. It is flexible and centres around new experiences and practical skills. You are encouraged to set your own goals, and create a portfolio to show to future employers or course providers.
We welcome your application if you are struggling with progress at school/college, and one or more of the points below sounds relevant to your situation:
- Being excluded from school or college
- Attending a pupil referral unit (PRU)
- You received fewer than 5 GCSEs at grades 4-9 (or low KS4 grades)
- You are predicted to receive fewer than 5 GCSEs at grades 4-9 (or low KS4 grades)
If you feel you need further support about study and exams, The Mix's website has some great guidance and tools for you.
For me, the most interesting aspect was meeting new people and learning about aspects of the NHS that I would not have learned about in school. Foundation NHS Cadet
How to tell us when you apply:
There are two questions which help us see if the programme is a good fit for you:
About your education: which of the following applies to you?
This is where you can tell us if you are attending a pupil referral unit (PRU), either full-time or part-time.
I received poor grades or I expect to receive poor grades.
You can choose from "Yes", "No" or "Prefer not to say".
If you would prefer to let us know about your situation in your own words, please use the following section:
Is there anything else that you think would make you suitable for NHS Cadets?
I provide regular care or support for someone
You're a young carer if you are under 18 and need to look after a parent, family member, or friend. It may be that you need to provide help to someone who is ill, disabled, has a mental health condition, or who misuses drugs or alcohol.
There are lots of young carers in England, and it is estimated that the number has been rising during the COVID-19 pandemic. We understand that being a young carer can be challenging for lots of reasons, and this is why we want to support you with our flexible programme at NHS Cadets.
Everyone's personal situation is different, but here are some examples of what you might do as a young carer, taken from the Carers Trust website:
- Practical tasks, like cooking, housework and shopping
- Physical care, such as helping someone out of bed
- Emotional support, including talking to someone who is distressed
- Personal care, such as helping someone dress
- Managing the family budget and collecting prescriptions
- Helping to give medicine
- Helping someone communicate
- Looking after brothers and sisters
NHS Cadets has improved my confidence in speaking with others and when I am feeling upset or overwhelmed, I can reach out to others to help relieve my stress. NHS Cadet
If you are a young carer, or think you count as one, here are some helpful websites you might like to visit:
- From the NHS: Being a young carer page, and Help for young carers page. These pages let you know all about your rights, and the help available to provide support.
- Carers Trust: Find carer support services near you with a postcode search.
- Action for Children: Support for young carers.
How to tell us when you apply:
"About your personal circumstances:
Some people your age provide help or support (including emotional support) to people who are physically or mentally ill, disabled or misusing drugs or alcohol. This could be a family member, friend or other person you know. Is there anyone like this who you have to look after or give support to regularly? This could include people who live with you and people who do not."
You can select 'Yes', 'No' or 'Prefer not to say'.
If you would prefer to let us know about your situation in your own words, please use the following section:
Is there anything else that you think would make you suitable for NHS Cadets?
I live in care | I’ve recently left care
Are you in care, or have you recently left the care system? Maybe you are thinking about your Pathway Plan for the future, or perhaps you would like to make connections with other people who share similar aspirations?
Our programme welcomes all future NHS Cadets who identify with this section, and we would love to hear from you. We've included some examples below to help explain what we mean by care, but we understand that every situation is different.
- Foster care: foster placements can be all different lengths of time, and it might be that you have one foster carer, or be part of a foster family.
- Kinship care: this is when you live with someone you already know, like a family member or friend of the family. It is sometimes known as "Friends and Family Care".
- Residential care or children's homes: this is when you live with other young people in a home which might have residential carers. These can be run by charities, companies or local authorities.
- Care leavers: you might have chosen to leave the care system at 16 or 17 for a range of reasons, and we welcome your application if you feel this applies to you.
The Become Charity website can provide you with helpful information about the care system, and please contact us if you aren't sure.
I want a career which helps people in my community and I’ve learned so much in the Cadets. I’ve made new friends and found out about opportunities for working in the NHS. NHS Cadet
How to tell us when you apply:
"Have social services ever placed you with another carer? For example, this could mean living with a foster family or in a children's home for a period of time"
You can select "Yes", "No" or "Prefer not to say".
If you prefer to explain your situation in your own words, please let us know in your response to this question:
Is there anything else that you think would make you suitable for NHS Cadets?
I receive free school meals
We ask you this question because it tells us you are more likely to have faced barriers getting where you want to be. Free school meals are designed to support families who have lower incomes, a key group we would like to support with NHS Cadets.
This is sometimes referred to as 'socio-economic status', which can be used to measure access to life opportunities, financial support, and educational achievement. We also use postcodes to make sure we are operating in communities which will benefit most from our programme.
I joined to get experience in the medical field, which will help me with my future dream job. It has really boosted my confidence meeting new people. Foundation NHS Cadet, who receives free school meals
How to tell us when you apply:
“Do you currently receive free school meals?”
You can select 'Yes', 'No' or 'Prefer not to say'. This information will help your application if it is your main reason for applying.
More information about free school meals is available here from the Government’s website.
I have mental health concerns
Mental health affects how we think, feel and act. As Mind's website explains, your mental health is on a spectrum, and can range from good to poor.
Good mental health can help you to think positively, feel confident and act calmly. If you have poor mental health, you might find that the way you're thinking, feeling or acting becomes difficult to cope with. You can experience poor mental health but not be diagnosed with a mental health condition.
- You might not enjoy things you used to like doing.
- You might feel sad or angry for a longer time than usual.
- You might feel like you can’t control how you feel or behave.
- You might be suffering from fatigue or have difficulty sleeping.
Good and poor mental health are a big focus of our programme on NHS Cadets, and we offer modules on both Foundation and Advanced Pathways to support and inform you.
Helpful information:
- Information on different types of mental health problems, and examples of poor mental health.
- Understanding your feelings
- Mind - how to get help and support
- Direct support from The Mix, including counselling services, crisis messenger and group chat.
It has also helped to take my mind off my own mental health, it’s like a distraction, but it’s a good distraction. Foundation NHS Cadet, who told us they have mental ill health
How to tell us when you apply:
"Do you have mental health concerns?"
You can select "Yes", "No" or "Prefer not to say". If this is your main reason for applying, remember that it will help your application.
If you prefer to explain your situation in your own words, please let us know in your response to this question:
"Is there anything else that you think would make you suitable for NHS Cadets?"
I consider myself neurodivergent | I have special educational needs
Neurodiversity relates to the different ways a person's brain processes information. It is an umbrella term to describe these variations, and it's estimated that as many as 1 in 7 people in the UK have a neurodifference. If you are neurodivergent you process information and learning in a different way.
We really like the word 'neurodivergent' on the NHS Cadets Programme, and we even created a session all about it for our Cadets. Neurodiversity is still quite a new term, so here are examples of conditions which can be included in this section:
- Autistic Spectrum Condition, or Autism: related terms can include 'Autistic Spectrum Disorder' or 'Asperger syndrome', a specific diagnosis which used to be given for one part of the spectrum.
- ADHD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
- Dyslexia
- Tourette's syndrome
- Tics
- Developmental Co-ordination Disorder, or DCD: 'Dyspraxia' is often referred to as a type of DCD.
- Dyscalculia
This is not a full list of every condition, so follow this link to read about other types of neurodiversity.
Special Educational Needs, or SEN, are conditions which affect your ability to learn. This term can include learning difficulties, and some of the conditions listed above, such as Dyslexia and ADHD. More information about learning difficulties is available from Mencap.
If you consider yourself to have a learning disability, please scroll down to our next section focusing on disability. Click to expand and find out more.
I joined NHS Cadets because I want to be a paramedic and have more experience in the NHS and healthcare. I have learned a lot and got some good experience. Foundation NHS Cadet, who told us they have learning difficulties
How to tell us when you apply:
We welcome all applicants to describe their situation using the language they prefer.
- You may wish to tell us in your own words that you are neurodivergent.
- You may want to let us know that you have a Special Educational Need.
- You might prefer to say you have a learning difference.
If you prefer to self-describe, please let us know in your response to this question:
"Is there anything else that you think would make you suitable for NHS Cadets?"
"Do you have learning difficulties?"
You can select "Yes", "No" or "Prefer not to say".
I consider myself to have a disability or impairment
According to the World Health Organization, over 1 billion people live with some form of disability. The NHS Cadets Programme aims to reflect the communites we work in, and we welcome applicants who consider themselves to have a disability or impairment.
A disability can be described as a continuing condition that restricts everyday activities. It is an umbrella term which can include physical disabilities, learning disabilities, or mental health problems.
If you have an 'impairment' it means you feel your physical or mental abilities are reduced in some way compared to others. An impairment doesn’t have to be a diagnosed medical condition. For further information on disabilities and impairments please visit this page from Citizens Advice.
Helpful information:
- Disability and mental health problems
- Physical and mobility disabilities
- Learning disabilities
- Sensory impairment
Your rights are protected under the 2010 Equality Act, which describes disability as "a physical or mental impairment that has a ‘substantial’ and ‘long-term’ negative effect on your ability to do normal daily activities."
NHS Cadets has given me key communication skills that I can transfer to everyday life. I feel much more confident and I’ve enjoyed gaining knowledge and experience about working in the NHS. NHS Cadet, who tells us they have a learning disability
How to tell us when you apply:
Please tell us about your situation in your own words, in response to the question below.
"Is there anything else that you think would make you suitable for NHS Cadets?"
- You can tell us about one or more conditions which affect you. You can also tell us about a specific condition which affects you, for example: "I have Ankylosing Spondylitis."
- If you prefer, you could make a simple statement at this stage, for example: "I have a learning disability".
- Perhaps you are waiting for a diagnosis for a condition which is affecting you, and you can tell us here.
- You can also let us know how we can best support you.
I am seeking asylum | I am a refugee
The NHS Cadets Programme welcomes applications from asylum seekers and refugees. We want to remove barriers you might face to a future in healthcare.
Let us know if you identify with either of the terms below:
- Seeking asylum is a human right. An asylum seeker is someone who has left their country and is seeking protection from persecution in another country. A person who seeks asylum in a new country may have to wait to receive a decision on whether they receive refugee status.
- Refugees have a right to international protection, and their status is legally recognised. They will have also left their country to seek protection from persecution in another country.
For support with seeking asylum and refugee status, please visit this page from the Red Cross. They offer support in a number of different languages.
Seeing people from a variety of backgrounds within the programme also inspires me. Advanced NHS Cadet
How to tell us when you apply:
"Are you, or have you ever been, a refugee or an unaccompanied asylum seeker child?"
You can select "Yes", "No" or "Prefer not to say". If this is your main reason for applying, remember that it will help your application.
If you prefer to explain your situation in your own words, please let us know in your response to this question:
"Is there anything else that you think would make you suitable for NHS Cadets?"
