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Original poster

Civil service pre employment checks duration

13 replies

Poppytoms · 25/07/2023 12:13

Its almost going to be 10 weeks since i submitted my pre employment checks form and haven’t heard anything yet. Application status still says application is going through pre employment checks. Its been the same since day one . Anyone in similar position? Please share insights. Asked them several times but they keep saying no update is available. Btw its for the role of probation service officer . I know people who heard back in 6 weeks or max eight weeks . I keep checking my email every other hour. Anxiety and nervousness is building up.

OP posts:
youveturnedupwelldone · 25/07/2023 21:01

Did it include a security clearance? If so the timescales can be quite long. I think probation service needs SC level clearance? Which they say around 12 weeks for clearance.

To put your mind at rest please email the HR contact and ask for an update.

fgfhds · 25/07/2023 21:41

As above if you need SC it's not unusual to take months, it's really frustrating but no need to worry.

Original poster
Poppytoms · 01/08/2023 13:54

@fgfhds @youveturnedupwelldone Thanks very much for replying. Lets see if i hear something back in a week or two. Seems like they are very laid back.

OP posts:
dizzygirl1 · 01/08/2023 17:50

Unfortunately for SC it can take anywhere from 8 to 24 weeks ( I've experienced both in 2023 for those I've offered roles to) recruiter will be 'laid back' mainly because we can't do anything to speed it up

Whatyoutalkingabouteh · 02/08/2023 09:26

Mine was 12 weeks. Even now when we recruit to our team we lose people before they even start as they get jobs elsewhere during that time it’s frustrating!

Original poster
Poppytoms · 02/08/2023 10:27

@dizzygirl1 Oh… 24 weeks is long . Also , i had my ctc checks and enhanced level 2 done earlier this year( as a part of prison officer recruitment but i never joined as couldn’t pass fitness) will that speed up things for me ?

OP posts:
Original poster
Poppytoms · 02/08/2023 10:28

@Whatyoutalkingabouteh Oh yeah. I completely understand. I am so anxious at this moment that i will take up any job which comes first .

OP posts:
dizzygirl1 · 03/08/2023 07:25

Poppytoms · 02/08/2023 10:27

@dizzygirl1 Oh… 24 weeks is long . Also , i had my ctc checks and enhanced level 2 done earlier this year( as a part of prison officer recruitment but i never joined as couldn’t pass fitness) will that speed up things for me ?

I don't know, I'm not DBS. As recruiting line manager, we have zero say, knowledge or contact with the clearances. I've had a couple take up to a year. It's a long process, we lose people due to it, its a known risk and frustrating on all sides.

BippityBoppityBoopBoopBoop · 03/08/2023 07:36

I'm a CS recruiter so can shed some light.

As others have said, the clearance process can be lengthy but because it's managed by an external service provider, we cant do anything at all to speed it up unfortunately - they won't even tell us what stage it's at or if it's near completion, we just get told whether it's in progress or complete.

It could be something different though. If there's a requirement for a DBS check it could be that taking a while, the recruiting line manager could be slow in providing a start date, they might have a backlog of cases to work through and not got to your updates yet.

It's so frustrating and I know when I started, the wait was never ending but rest assured it'll be in hand. No harm in giving a push now and then by polite and friendly email ... As much as we shouldn't, sometimes the ones who shout the loudest get quicker treatment because their name is fresh in our minds.

Every single case is different though so please don't compare your time-frames to others.

Best of luck in your new job x

Original poster
Poppytoms · 07/08/2023 11:28

@BippityBoppityBoopBoopBoop all of it makes so much sense . Thanks very much for sharing your insights. My checks came through yesterday morning at around 6 . I was a bit surprised as I thought they don’t work on Sunday 😄. But all’s well that ends well. Finally they came through and all good . As you mentioned above, yes it was extremely frustrating period for me as well . Multiple thoughts came to my mind , like something would of gine wrong or did I put the information correctly and so n so. But yeah like you said , every case is different so it’s different timeline for everyone. Waiting for my formal contract now.

OP posts:
Stace102 · 25/10/2024 17:53

Hi I'm currently going through home office pre employment checks and they are asking for my current team leaders contact details is this normal ? I have never heard of this before

fgfhds · 25/10/2024 17:59

@Stace102 possibly for security clearance?

Stace102 · 25/10/2024 18:01

fgfhds · 25/10/2024 17:59

@Stace102 possibly for security clearance?

I have the security questionnaire email and just need to sort that out but this is from HR when I have replied asking why they need this and that I haven't managed to speak to me line manager yet as AL they have said

We ask for these details to confirm your eligibility for the role, we ask for Line manger details so we can confirm your responses with your line manager it is not for reference purposes.

Just think it's very strange

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