The Civil Service Success Profiles framework underpins fair and open competition in all Civil Service recruitment. Designed to improve diversity and inclusivity in the selection process, it is a sufficiently broad tool to recruit into all roles across corporate services, operational and policy roles. In fact, anyone applying to a public sector role can use this framework as a reference to gain valuable insights into the typical recruitment processes used, and the nature of the evidence they will be asked to provide. More information is include below in the section on 'Skills and Experience'.
The Fast Stream
The flagship Civil Service Fast Stream has been one of the most widely recognised and desirable graduate recruitment options for decades, consistently placing first or second in the annual Times Top 100 Graduate Employers survey. The Fast Stream typically takes more than 1000 new starters each year, and perhaps a similar number of 'near-miss' candidates have received graduate-level entry positions through the Direct Appointments Scheme.
In addition to full-time entry positions, the Cabinet Office also runs the Summer Internship Programmes (SIP) for undergraduates in their final two years. The SIP offers a paid work placement of up to 8 weeks. Applications for the SIP will close in the first half of Michaelmas term as they must be made within the same application window as for the Fast Stream. See the Getting Experience section below.
The Fast Stream website provides comprehensive information on the overall programme, the many different streams and the application processes, and can also act as a proxy guide for people preparing for many other public sector recruitment processes.
Departmental and Direct Entry positions
Graduates are also recruited directly by individual Departments and the Government professions, many of which also recruited Fast Streamers. Based on previous patterns of recruitment, the main routes to research include:
- Departmental and Agency graduate recruitment schemes, including: the HM Treasury Office; Financial Conduct Authority; National Audit Office; Valuation Office; the Office for National Statistics; the Department of Health and Social Care Leadership programme; HMRC Graduate Programme (Tax Professional), and the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). Some may accept applications from as early September, so research details and deadlines early.
- The main cross-government service professions that offer direct entry routes, with opportunities opening around the turn of the year (November to February/March). Each year, there have been opportunities to join the Government’s Economic Service(GES); Operational Research (GORS), Statistical Service (GSS) and Social Research services.
- The Government Legal Profession offers trainee solicitor and trainee barrister positions: applications close in April/May for starting roles 15 months later.
- Direct entry to positions advertised by individual Departments, most typically at HEO (Higher Executive Officer) and EO (Executive Officer) for new graduates. Positions at SEO (Senior Executive Officer) and Team leader levels may also be within reach for some DPhils and graduates who have more substantial work experience, although most will require some management experience.
Attend events and the Oxford University careers fairs to meet current civil servants and learn about other public sector careers. We plan to offer a panel discussion featuring our alumni working in the public sector at the beginning of Michaelmas term. Additionally:
- the Oxford University Careers Fair may see representatives from the Fast Stream and other graduate programmes in the wider public sector, such as the NHS Leadership programmes, and the accelerated development programmes for social work (Frontline and Head Start), prison service (Unlocked), the police (Police Now) and teaching profession (Teach First).
- the Science, Engineering and Technology Fair may attract public sector oriented organisations keen to recruit STEM candidates, including the Fast Stream, GORS, the Statistical Service, the Intellectual Property Office, the UK Atomic Energy Authority, and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratories (Dstl) and the NHS Scientist Training Programme (STP) .
If you have a specific focus or strong interest in particular Department or Agency, check their website regularly, register for email alerts and follow them on social media to keep in touch. Not every programme is well marketed and some schemes may open only a very short application window.
Local Government and the Impact Graduate Programme
Impact: The Local Government Graduate Programme is a graduate entry and accelerated development programme coordinated by the Local Government Association (LGA). Successful applicants are employed by their local authority for the duration of the programme. Although this is not a permanent contract, some 95% of participants successfully transition into permanent positions at the end of the programme, usually with their existing authority and with about 10% of each cohort securing a permanent position at a different local authority.
Trainees will develop a broad understanding of different aspects of local government by undertaking placements in corporate roles, and front-line and support services across a number of the key areas within a council, for example, in education, social services, planning, corporate services and strategy. You will also complete a leadership diploma, and there may be the opportunity to take an external secondment with a different local authority or on a separate public sector graduate scheme such as Teach First or NHS Direct.
To stay up to date, and for confirmation of the recruitment timetable, monitor the website for the LGA's IMPACT programme, although the details may not be updated until applications open in the autumn. Direct entry positions will also be advertised by individual authorities.
Similarly, to find opportunities with the Office of the Mayor of London or one of the metro mayors, search online for their recruitment pages depending on the region where you would like to work. For example, for London see Working at City Hall or for the Greater Manchester combined authority see Greater Manchester CA careers.
Additionally, look for opportunities on the following two job boards: LG Jobs website and Jobs Go Public website.
GCHQ and Intelligence Services
The intelligence services recruit graduates in many disciplines. Some core programmes will be open to graduates from all subjects, such as the graduate leadership scheme, intelligence officers (analysts) or project management programmes. In addition, other roles require specialist skills such as higher-level mathematical modelling skills for code-breaking, opportunities for language students, and expertise in software engineering and cyber security.
The different branches of the security service (Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ); The Security Service (MI5); The Secret Intelligence Service (MI6)) run their own programmes. See the Intelligence Analyst job description on Prospects (a national graduate careers website) for insights into these roles, the skills required, sources for vacancies and likely entry routes as well as suggestions for other similar roles.
Transform Alliance and Partner Schemes
To support the broader aim of improving public services and delivery, a suite of graduate development programmes were recognised by the Civil Service Fast Stream as important partners, including the Transform Alliance that embraced five frontline public services; teaching, children’s social work, policing, prisons, and mental health social work. Each offers a two-year management and leadership development programme, and many have embedded element supporting trainees to study for a relevant Masters Degree.
TeachFirst: Two years as a teacher. Teacher and leadership training for people who are passionate about giving children from the poorest backgrounds a great education. It only takes one brilliant teacher to change a child’s life.
Frontline: Two years as a social worker transforming the lives of the most vulnerable children and families. At least half a million children in England do not have a safe or stable home and the children who need social workers deserve life-changing professionals. Through intensive training with expert academic input you will become a social worker and leader, so you can empower families to achieve positive, lasting change.
Police Now: There are two options with Police Now: the National Detective Programme and the National Graduate Leadership Programme. Both offer a two-year initial training on the job, for example as a neighbourhood police officer, policing a community of 20,000. Leadership training programme which gives people the opportunity to transform challenged and often deprived communities. Develop skills in negotiation, problem solving and decision-making as well as resilience and emotional intelligence - all skills relevant to many careers. Help to improve lives, not just for today, but for generations to come. [NB: individual police forces quite often offer their own graduate path or degree holder entry programme (DHEP).]
Think Ahead: Two years as a mental health social worker. Social work, mental health and leadership training for people passionate about making a real difference to people with mental health problems. Mental illness is everywhere, it turns lives upside down. Give those with mental health problems the chance to flourish.
Unlocked Graduates: Two years as a prison officer, leading change on the inside. Expert leadership training to lead on the frontline in prisons for people passionate about tackling the damage and cost of prisoner reoffending. Inject new ideas, insights and energy into the rehabilitation of offenders through your actions and thoughts on wider policy. Develop negotiating, influencing decision-making and relationship-building skills vital to any career whilst leading subtle changes on the inside that deliver huge benefits on the outside.
Other partner schemes:
Entrepreneur First: Europe’s leading early-stage investor in technology companies. Helping talented individuals build high growth technology start-ups.
Lead First: The opportunity to complete an intensive leadership development course, before spending up to a year gaining experience in roles within the British Army.
Year Here: Designed as a platform for graduates and young professionals who want to build smart solutions to entrenched social problems.