Considering moving into policy within CS

[Workchatter]

Hi, I currently work in the Civil Service on the frontline in operations. Having worked there for some years I am desperate for a change. I am looking to move into policy and wondered if anyone could provide an outline of both what they look for in that area and things I should know (good and bad).

I am often looking for ways to ensure policies are usable and workable, as well as correcting gaps (within the limits of my role), so I do see this as a natural step.

Being honest, working on the frontline is relentless and I complete regular 50+ hour weeks just to stay afloat. I can't continue working at this required pace so I think it's time to move on. To be clear, I have no issue with overtime, but I do with working 5 full days followed by 6 eves a week. Am I naive in thinking policy roles wouldn't be as relentless every day?

What department are you in OP? What I would say is bringing frontline operational experience in to related policy is so needed so that is a good start.

In terms of the working I think all CS roles of a particular grade and higher now rely on longer hours to keep afloat; it’s after so many recruitment freezes and central teams instructing what headcount should be based on best case scenarios from austerity onwards.

What departments are you looking at?

Thanks for your reply. I work in HMPPS (prisons and probation). I'd be more than happy to move to a different department however I don't think it's realistic as for policy I'm guessing it's best to either have frontline experience and/or policy experience to transfer.

I have seen some departments within HMPPS achieve a much better work/life balance than the frontline yet are paid similar or better so being honest that appeals along with the change of demand/work.

I am guessing there would be tight turnarounds and competing deadline pressures, but I can't imagine it would be relentless in the way it is on the frontline daily. Equally, I don't want to assume this and then just swap for more of the same, as currently my family life is taking a massive hit.

I am really interested in being able to assist with meaningful policy change and implementation, as opposed to just plodding on with ones that don't fit frontline requirements.

I made the switch from ops to policy. They’re very different, not everyone suits policy and not everyone suits ops. People with ops experience are valuable in policy as you understand someone is actually going to have to DO something with the legislation etc that you’re working on - you’d be surprised how unaware whitehall policy professionals are about this! However many people make the switch (in either direction) and discover that they hate “the other side” and quickly switch back.

I would immediately drop the notion that you’ll be able to make these really good policies that make a difference. As a civil servant you’re there to carry out the wishes of the government of the day - you have to remain impartial and you can’t inject your own ideology into it, that just isn’t what you’re there for. So if you think policy will be a way of making a difference it quite simply isn’t! It can be very frustrating to have to put all your work in the bin because a minister changed their mind, or to have to do something you feel is morally wrong because that’s what they want to do. It can also be utterly relentless and long hours etc in the same ways ops is. I worked 50+ hours a week in my last policy role on a really high profile programme, and I work 50+ hours in a corporate function in an ops dept now.

Not to put you off, just go into it eyes wide open!

Thank you doorhandleghost I really value and appreciate the insight.

I am concerned at potentially not getting on in policy from what you've said, but it does feel a natural progression out of operations and interests me, plus it opens new pathways longer term so I will see if I'm successful in interviewing and getting in

Good to have the heads up on potentially long hours. I'm not opposed to overtime and I expect it in the world we're in, but the demands in operations means that even with overtime I can't get on top of anything and it's exhausting to always feel 20 steps behind.

I will have to summon my inner resilience in readiness for work to be binned