Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Work

Chat with other users about all things related to working life on our Work forum.

Original poster

Civil Service Decision Maker role.

15 replies

Asvan · 12/09/2021 20:11

Hi everyone,

I've recently been successful in getting a job as a decision maker for the civil service. It's a work from home opportunity and I would really like to accept the job.

Does anyone work in a similar job for the civil service? Is the role interesting? What's the workload like? Are there targets etc? As I'll be working from home, will they be strict about logging on and logging off times?

I currently work part time in a school as a teaching assistant and the role is very interesting and each day is different. I applied for the civil service as in my current job the pay is low and there is no career progression.

My new role will mean that I wont have holidays when my children do, how do people deal with that when working from home?

OP posts:
spotcheck · 12/09/2021 20:13

Watching with interest!

Rainallnight · 12/09/2021 20:13

You will need childcare when your children are off school.

What sort of decision maker? I’m a civil servant and this isn’t a role I’ve heard of. What department?

CiderJolly · 12/09/2021 20:15

DWP?

CiderJolly · 12/09/2021 20:16

They’re flexible but business needs come first and that changes a lot.
Whether you can work from home with kids depends on their ages and if you can still manage the workload.

Touloser · 12/09/2021 20:16

It really depends on the department. A Home Office DM role will be very different to a DWP DM role.

Some departments are phasing out individual targets and instead look at a target for the whole team, so it depends on the department/role for that.

Most civil service departments operate on flexible time (I can log in any time between 7 and 10, and fi is anytime between 3 and 7) so as long as you keep track that's fine.

PinkFootstool · 12/09/2021 20:17

I assume DWP benefits decision maker?

Original poster
Asvan · 12/09/2021 20:24

The role will be for the Home Office.

OP posts:
Touloser · 12/09/2021 20:30

Look carefully at your contract - if home working is important to you you'll need to make sure it's a specific home working contract. If not, you might end up splitting your time between home and the office.

You'll need to ensure you have a quiet place to work from with a very good, stable internet connection if it's the asylum DM role.

Original poster
Asvan · 12/09/2021 20:41

Yes it's the asylum DM role and it was advertised as a remote wfh role.

I just wanted to know if it's an interesting and varied role? If anyone has worked in a similar role, I would love to know what you thought of it?

OP posts:
Touloser · 12/09/2021 20:51

I'll have to name change after this, but yes, I did that role for a couple of years.

It requires a very particular type of person to be happy and successful. You must (and I mean must) be resilient, motivated and eager to learn. It is not an easy role, or one you can half arse - you need to be able to get your head down and motivate yourself to work hard.

It's rewarding, but very difficult, and there's a lot of information to take in.

I'd say it suits people who are naturally curious, take pride in their work, and who are able to easily switch off from work at the end of the day. You need to be a fast learner, and be able to take in an awful lot of information in a short period of time.

Beyond that it depends which area of the country and which decision making unit you are attached to. Some areas have a lot of variety, others are a bit more restricted.

I enjoyed my time there and it suited me well - this thread on the student room has some.... alternative views on it! www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7046942&page=2

Original poster
Asvan · 13/09/2021 16:28

Thanks everyone.

I think I did to do a bit more research before accepting the job offer. I've got a fairly chilled out and interesting job at the moment and i wouldn't want to give that up for a high pressure or tedious role.

OP posts:
Sarahconnor1 · 13/09/2021 16:39

There will be core hours you will be expected to work, around that its flexi. You will need childcare they won't accept you looking after children while you are working. The WFH might not be a permanent 5 day a week arrangement. In the future there will be some expectations that you attend the office some days.

It's not a tedious role it is interesting and varied but can be challenging

CoRhona · 13/09/2021 17:35

How old are your children? If they're primary school age or younger I wouldn't even consider moving if you need the holidays covered, it will cost you a fortune.

respecttheforum · 13/09/2021 17:56

A slightly different aspect to consider is how you feel doing this job in the current government/political climate. Having worked with (not for) the Home Office, it's not something I could do.

Original poster
Asvan · 14/09/2021 09:36

My children are 5, 9 and 12 so childcare will be an issue.

The job was advertised as remote working only so there is no expectation to go into the office. Even the training will all be done online.

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page