Am I eligible to apply for Extend?
I do not know if I am a disabled person according to the law.
When would the Extend placements commence?
How long is the duration of an Extend placement?
How much will Extendees get paid?
Will there by any additional expenses paid?
If I am successful, am I entitled to get annual leave?
What do I need to do next?
What happens next after the application stage?
What if I am not successful?
If I am shortlisted for interview and I have access needs what do I need to do?
If I am shortlisted for interview, will I need to make a request for reasonable adjustments?
What are the next steps when I have been told that I have been offered a placement?
If I am successful what will happen to my benefits?
If I am offered a 6 months placement, how will I arrange my access needs?
If I am successful what will happen to me after the 6 months placement?

Am I eligible to apply for Extend?

• Yes if you have a disability recognised by the Disability Discrimination Act (please see the next question for further information)
  
  
• Yes if you are external to the BBC. Unfortunately we cannot accept applications from current BBC staff.
  
  
• No if you have ever been an Extendee. Unfortunately we are unable to accept applications from people who have previously participated in the Extend scheme
  

I do not know if I am a disabled person according to the law:

The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) says that a disability is a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on your ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. This definition includes impairments such as Cancer, HIV or MS.

For further guidance please see:
 
What counts as a disability according to the law:
http://www.equalityhumanrights.com
/en/aboutus/Pages/FAQs2.aspx#402

Words used to define disability
http://www.equalityhumanrights.com
/en/yourrights/equalityanddiscrimination
/Disability/Pages/
Wordsusedtodefinedisability.aspx

When would the Extend placements commence?

3rd or 10th August 2009


How long is the duration of an Extend placement?

6 months.


How much will Extendees get paid?

Extendees receive a fixed allowance of £17,917 per annum (pro rata), less any tax deductions which are applicable.


Will there by any additional expenses paid?

Not for travel or accommodation. Expenses incurred in the course of work will be subject to the normal BBC Expenses Policy.


If I am successful, am I entitled to get annual leave?

Yes, Extendees are entitled to 12.5 days annual leave during their 6 month placement.


What do I need to do next?

If you are interested in applying, complete your application form for one placement (maximum of two placements.) If you want to apply for another placement, you will need to complete another application form for the second placement.

For example: -
Application 1 - London - Extendee - Assisting BBC Radio 5Live Projects


Application 2 - Cardiff - Extendee - Supporting a BBC TV Production Team



What happens next after the application stage?

If you reach the shortlist, you will be notified by late May/early June 2009. We anticipate our interviews with the host manager of the placement(s) will take place 8th June to 3rd July.

What if I am not successful?

We anticipate a lot of interest in these schemes from disabled people. Of course we cannot accommodate everyone who applies. However, we can assure you that if you are unsuccessful at interview stage, we will provide constructive feedback if requested from the host manager of the placement.


If I am shortlisted for interview and I have access needs what do I need to do?

The Recruitment team will ask you if you have any access needs before your interview takes place. If you have any, the Access Team (who are specialists in terms of access requirements) will facilitate your interview, and placement if you are successful. For further information, please click here.


If I am shortlisted for interview, will I need to make a request for reasonable adjustments?

The Recruitment team will ask you this specific question before interview. They will be supported by our colleagues from the Access Team which comprises of a team of Access Assessors who are specialists in terms of access requirements to facilitate your interview and placement if you are successful. For further information, please click here.

What are the next steps when I have been told that I have been offered a placement?

Apart from the Access Team contacting you for an initial access assessment, Recruitment will contact you for some further details (i.e. two names for references and National Insurance number etc) and to finalise arrangements for you to start with the BBC on either 3rd or 10th August (subject to the provision of reasonable adjustments). You will then receive formal paperwork including contract and joining instructions from Recruitment.

You will also be asked to come to London for the mandatory half day Extend Welcome Event two weeks prior to your start date on either Thursday 23rd July or Thursday 30th July. This is an opportunity for you to learn more about Extend and to meet other Extendees from all over the country and for the Extend team to ensure all other contract aspects have been covered. If you live outside London, the BBC will cover your travel costs for this event (in line with BBC Expenses Policy). Unfortunately the BBC won’t be able to cover your accommodation expenses, should you wish to stay in London overnight.

If I am successful what will happen to my benefits?

You are advised to check with your local Social Security Office first as your benefit such as Incapacity Benefit may be affected when you enter on the BBC payroll.

If I am offered a 6 months placement, how will I arrange my access needs?

The Access Team will arrange an initial access assessment with you as an individual before you start your placement. If you need reasonable adjustments to support you in the working environment, the Access Team will provide support to help you fill in an application for Access to Work funding for relevant access needs if required. For further information, please click here.

If I am successful what will happen to me after the 6 months placement?

We cannot guarantee you will gain further employment at the end of 6 months. Although the scheme doesn't necessarily lead to a full-time job, last year more than half its intake gained further work at the BBC.

back to top ^