This accessibility statement applies to users who browse and apply for jobs on the NHS Jobs website.
This website is run by the NHS Business Services Authority. We want as many people as possible to be able to use this website. For example, that means you should be able to:
- change colours, contrast levels and fonts
- navigate most of the website using just a keyboard
- navigate the website using speech recognition software (including the most recent version of Dragon and Voice Control)
- listen to most of the website using a screen reader (including the most recent version of NVDA and VoiceOver)
We’ve also made the website text as simple as possible to understand.
AbilityNet has advice on making your device easier to use if you have a disability.
How accessible this website is
We know some parts of this website are not fully accessible, as:
- on some pages, the additional search options are not displayed when zoomed in 250% or more
- on some pages, when clicking on the 'Change' link, the focus does not move to the corresponding input field
- lists are not structured properly on the ‘frequently asked question’ screen
- the applicant feedback screen will not be able to be accessed when JavaScript is disabled
- screen reader users may experience difficulties with identifying heading, list, tables and reading order as it is not tagged properly in the PDF documents downloaded from the NHS Jobs website
- screen reader users will have difficulties switching to the appropriate language as the primary text language of the document is not specified
- users will have difficulties identifying titles in the downloadable PDF documents
- PDF documents that are downloaded do not follow a logical order when using the Tab or Shift-Tab keys to navigate, which will cause difficulties for users navigating with a keyboard
- PDF documents that are downloaded contains images with no alternate text which will cause difficulties for screen reader users
- many features on the website need to be accessibility-reviewed to make sure they’re implemented correctly for users with accessibility needs
- the structure of the pages need to be reviewed to make sure they meet accessibility guidelines
- the use of aria-labels on the website need to be reviewed to make sure they meet accessibility guidelines
How to request content in an accessible format
If you need information on this website in a different format like an accessible PDF, large print, easy read, audio recording or braille, you can contact us by:
Email: nhsbsa.accessibility@nhs.net
We’ll consider your request and get back to you in 5 working days.
This inbox is only for accessibility queries. This inbox is not for technical queries or IT problems. If you have a query that is not about accessibility, go to the ‘Contact us’ section of this page.
Reporting accessibility problems with this website
We’re always looking to improve the accessibility of this website. If you find any problems that are not listed on this page or think we’re not meeting accessibility requirements, you can contact us by:
Email: nhsbsa.accessibility@nhs.net
This inbox is only for accessibility queries. This inbox is not for technical queries or IT problems. If you have a query that is not about accessibility, go to the ‘Contact us’ section of this page.
Enforcement procedure
The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is responsible for enforcing the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018 (the ‘accessibility regulations’).
If you’re not happy with how we respond to your complaint, contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS).
Contact us
For all queries not accessibility related, you can contact us by:
Email: nhsbsa.nhsjobsenquiries@nhs.net
Technical information about this website’s accessibility
NHS Business Services Authority is committed to making its website accessible, in accordance with the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018.
Compliance status
This website is partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.1 AA standard, due to the non-compliances listed below.
Non-accessible content
The content listed below is non-accessible for the following reasons.
Non-compliance with the accessibility regulations
On some pages, the additional search options are not displayed when zoom percentage is 250% or more. This fails WCAG success criterion 1.4.10 (Zoom and reflow).
On some pages, when clicking on the 'Change' link, the focus does not move to the corresponding input field. This fails WCAG success criterion 2.4.7 (Tab Indexes).
Lists are not structured properly on the ‘frequently asked question’ screen. This fails WCAG success criterion 1.3.1 (Info and Relationships).
Applicant feedback screen will not be able to be accessed when JavaScript is disabled. This fails WCAG success criterion 4.1 (compatible).
Screen reader users may experience difficulties with identifying heading, list, tables and reading order as it is not tagged properly in the PDF documents downloaded from the NHS Jobs website. This fails WCAG 2.1 criteria 1.1.1 (Non-text content), 1.3.1 (Info and Relationships) and 1.3.2 (Meaningful Sequence).
Screen reader users will have difficulties to switch to appropriate language as the primary text language of the document is not specified. This fails WCAG 2.1 criterion 3.1.1 (Language of Page).
Users will have difficulties identifying titles in the downloadable PDF documents. This fails WCAG 2.1 criterion 2.4 (Page Titled).
PDF documents that are downloaded do not follow a logical order when using the Tab or Shift-Tab keys to navigate, which will cause difficulties for users navigating with a keyboard. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criterion 2.4.3 (Focus Order).
PDF documents that are downloaded contains images with no alternate text which will cause difficulties for screen reader users. This fails WCAG 2.1 success criteria 1.1.1 (Non-text Content), 1.3.1 (Info and Relationships) and 4.1.2 (Name, role, value).
Many features on the website need to be accessibility-reviewed to make sure they’re implemented correctly for users with accessibility needs.
The structure of the pages need to be reviewed to make sure they meet accessibility guidelines.
The use of aria-labels on the website need to be reviewed to make sure they meet accessibility guidelines.
We plan to fix these accessibility issues by September 2023. When we publish new content, we’ll make sure it meets accessibility standards.
Content that’s not within the scope of the accessibility regulations
PDFs and other documents
Some of our PDFs and Word documents are essential to providing our services. For example, we have PDFs with information on how users can access our services, and forms published as Word documents. By September 2021, we plan to either fix these or replace them with accessible HTML pages.
Any new PDFs or Word documents we publish will meet accessibility standards.
What we’re doing to improve accessibility
We’re committed to making sure this website is compliant to WCAG 2.1 ‘AA’ standard.
Our accessibility compliance statement will be reviewed every 6 months. Every new released website will be designed, built and tested to meet ‘AA’ standards by default.
Preparation of this accessibility statement
This statement was prepared on 17 September 2019. It was last reviewed on 5 May 2023.
This website was last tested on 9 March 2023. The test was carried out by NHSBSA test and front end development teams.
We tested all of the website screens to meet ‘AA’ WCAG 2.1 standards, using manual and automated tests.
We run each webpage through automated Wave, Lighthouse and Axe accessibility tools and then manually test with screen readers (VoiceOver) and standards checklists.
The checklists contain standards that have been compiled using WCAG, NHS service manual and Government Digital Service (GDS) guidance.