How to Write an NHS Supporting Statement on Trac

On an NHS application, the supporting information box is where most shortlisting decisions are made. Here’s how to fill it in well on Trac, whether you’re applying to a health board in Wales or a trust in England.

What is Trac?

Trac is the online recruitment system used by NHS Wales and by many NHS trusts in England (others use NHS Jobs). When you apply, you fill in your details, work history and qualifications, then a section usually called supporting information. That section is your supporting statement.

NHS guidance on Trac describes it as probably the most important part of the form. Managers use it to decide who to invite to interview, and if you don’t show the essential criteria there, they will usually assume you don’t meet them.

Before you write anything

• Download the job description and person specification. The person specification lists the essential and desirable criteria. This is your plan.
• Find the employer’s values. Every health board and trust has its own values, and many shortlist and interview against them. They are usually in the job pack or on the careers page.
• Check the word or character limit on the form. Write in a separate document first, then paste it in, so you can check the count and nothing is lost.
• Apply early. Popular NHS jobs often close before the published closing date once they get enough applications.
• Read any AI rules in the job pack. Many NHS employers say you shouldn’t paste in AI-written text. (More on this in can you use ChatGPT to write a supporting statement?)

A structure that works

1. Two or three opening sentences: the role, why you want it, and why this health board or trust.
2. The criteria, in order. Work through the person specification in the same order, using each criterion as a short heading. Panels score against a checklist, so make each one easy to find.
3. A real example for each, using STAR: the Situation, the Task, what you did (Action) and what happened (Result).
4. A short close: what you would bring to the team.

What NHS panels look for

Whatever the band, these come up again and again. Weave them into your examples:

• Patient safety and knowing when to ask for help or escalate a concern
• Dignity, respect and compassion, especially with people who are frightened, confused or in pain
• Confidentiality and careful handling of information
• Teamwork and communication, including handovers and working under pressure
• Infection prevention and following procedures
• Willingness to learn and complete mandatory training

In Wales, some adverts also list Welsh language skills. Describe your level honestly, using the levels the form gives you. My guide to Welsh language skills on job applications explains how, even if you don’t speak Welsh.

Experience counts from anywhere

You don’t need NHS experience for many support and admin roles. Caring for a relative, working in childcare, a care home, retail, hospitality or a call centre, and volunteering all give you real examples of care, communication, calm under pressure and reliability. What matters is showing how they match the person specification.

Common mistakes on Trac

• “Please see my CV.” Panels score the supporting information, not your CV.
• Leaving out an essential criterion. If it isn’t there, you usually can’t be shortlisted.
• Using the same statement for every job. Each person specification is different, even for the same job title.
• Forgetting the values. Show them in your examples; don’t just list them.
• Pasting in AI text. Some NHS employers may reject applications they believe are AI-written.

Guides for your band

What the panel expects changes with the band. Choose your guide:

• Band 2 supporting statement: healthcare support workers and other entry-level roles
• Band 3 supporting statement: senior healthcare support and clinical support roles
• Band 4 supporting statement: assistant practitioners and other senior support roles
• NHS admin supporting statement: receptionists, ward clerks, medical secretaries and team administrators (Bands 2 to 4)

New to supporting statements altogether? Start with my general guide on how to write a supporting statement.