How big is the "company/group/place" that you're applying to?

If it's a large enough place that your application will initially be skim-read by "HR and office types" who know nothing about the actual role (especially if it's a council or other institute type job), the person spec etc is often a literal tick list, and it seems to be preferred to answer it in order, like a robot.

Some job application packages give you a person spec, with a table that says whether each point is addressed in the application form, personal statement or the interview etc - that's normally a pretty clear indicator that they want it "robot-like".

If it's anywhere that's not that i.e. smaller places, where the person initially reading the application might be actually involved in the job and know what any of it means, then you should be a little more free with the writing.

Also, depending on who/what the place is, the job application may have a "for any questions, please contact (name/number)". Though it may be quite terrifying to do so, you can literally ask them directly how they prefer the application, i.e. "Hi, I just wondered if you'd like the personal statement to address all the 'person spec' points clearly and simply in order, or to be a more freely written statement about my experience and abilities". They don't want to reject applications on form-filling technicalities - if you have the skills they're asking for, they'd rather have you at the interview - so it's not a 'stupid question' to ask them.

My information may be a bit out of date, though I know a Council job earlier this month still followed this format.