Civil Service - how long for pre-employment checks and possibility of flexible working/part time hours

[birdsss]

I've just got an offer for a six month contract as part of a recruitment campaign with the Civil Service, how long do the pre-employment checks normally take? It would be the normal checks, not enhanced security vetting. The job advert had flexible working and part-time hours as an option, is this normally granted? I can't afford the childcare for full-time (I'd have to use more expensive nursery due to lack of space at cheaper ones). The contract is six months with possiblity of extension if they need it or could be made permanent? How likely is that as government are looking to cut 65,000 civil service roles.

Pre-employment checks -the time taken can vary considerably.

Flexible working - this will vary from role to role and department to department. CS is usually pro flexible working. Your best option is to ask them asap as there is no point waiting for the pre employment checks only to find they can’t accommodate your request.

Extending contract/permanency - again no one can answer this. Once you start you will be able to apply for internally advertised roles via CS Jobs. There is a good chance you will find a permanent role.

I wouldn’t worry about stories of cutting the number of CS, these stories are a regular occurrence and there always jobs being advertised.

Once you are in the CS, it's much easier to get jobs than from the outside, so if your 6months contract isn't made permanent, you can look to transfer to another role. Just get your CS internal job alerts set up as soon as you get started and i would start interviewing for things about half way through your contract, if noone has spoken to you about it becoming permanent.