DWP EO Work Coach Questions & Experiences?

[Daisies31]

Hi,

I recently applied for and have received a provisional offer as an Executive Officer with DWP at my preferred location, pending pre-employment checks. I don't really have any concerns about my pre-employment checks, having recently undergone similar checks for a temporary AO position with MoJ but I'm also worried that this offer will fall through or that I won't get a conditional offer/contract. I was made redundant in June of this year and I'm keen to start work again sooner rather than later so I'm worried about pinning all my hopes on this job. On the flip side, I don't want to continue applying and interviewing for other jobs when this is the one I want.

Has anyone on here been through this process and can shred a bit of light on the next steps and share their experiences please?

How long from your pre-employment checks to actual start date?

Has anyone received a provisional offer but then been put on the reserved list?

Has anyone failed their pre-employment checks and had their provisional offer withdrawn?

Once they have made an offer the job is yours once you've passed the checks.

It's not unheard of for a vacancy to be withdrawn before a start date but I'd be surprised if this were the case for a work coach vacancy as they are crying out for them (high turnover roles I believe). Usually that happens if funding is withdrawn, project cancelled etc - it's really not that common so not something I would worry about. I've been a civil servant for 15 plus yrs and I've never experienced it and only heard of it anecdotally ie I've never worked with anyone who had to withdraw a vacancy mid way through the hiring process/once checks had commenced.

Re the start date, I'd contact the HR dept and ask what their plans are for the location you've been offered for, as they will most likely be training people in batches.

Thank you @youveturnedupwelldone, I suppose I'm just anxious as I went though all these checks for a temporary AO role with MoJ which they then withdrew the week before I was due to start due to budget cuts apparently so I'm cautious of jumping the gun and assuming I have the job.

I'll definitely contact HR to see if they can provide some indication about anticipated start dates.

The pre employment checks take absolutely ages.

I recently recruited and it took months to get the person into post. I don’t think you need to worry about an offer being withdrawn but be prepared for a lengthy wait.

I am a G7 at DWP. We are absolutely crying out for work coaches but the pre-employment checks are always the barrier to getting people in. There are so many new government initiatives which require work coach support. I assume once they're done you will be given the earliest possible convenient start date.

Thank you @Witchbitch20 & @Vickivicks, I'm prepared for a bit of a wait for the pre-employment checks to go through, I've read online approximately 4 weeks so hoping I'll be given a start date before Christmas.

I have emailed the HR dept to enquire but not yet had a reply.

Hi, i applied for an admin officer and executive officer role. I passed both interviews, however put on reseve list for executive officer.
I have accepted the formal offer for the admin officer role and am due to start next week. Yesterday i recieved an email from the executive officer role asking to accept a provisional offer and complete employment checks. I want the executive officer role, but im due to start the admin role. Any advice. Thanks.

@Obeyed23 I think I'd suggest contacting the HR dept or recruiter and seeing what they advise.

Congratulations on the offers for both roles though 🙂