Progression in the Civil Service

[40andlovelife]

I am one of the many Teachers trying to get out of Teaching and am looking at roles in the Civil Service. I am wondering what the opportunities for progression are like and whether it's the norm to switch departments and roles?

If you want to progress quickly then yes it's generally much easier to do so changing departments/organisations, mostly just to being able to cast a wider net, stifled a little more now due to the office mandate. It depends on your profession and the size of the org though of course. I entered at SEO level in a relatively niche field, I moved to a different department 2 years later for a G7 role, and moved again 18 months later for G6. Will likely need to do a couple of lateral moves now to get the breadth of experience needed for SCS, unless a very specific SCS role comes up (possible as I am more technical/advisory, but could be waiting a while!).

I agree with what @qpdlurgak has said but its also worth being aware that all departments have been asked to model headcount reductions for after the next spending review. Often that coincides with things like recruitment freezes which makes competition for posts more fierce when they are advertised and it more difficult to move around. Obviously the cuts are not a given when there is a general election due etc, but I'd be wary about assuming there will be quick progression until the picture is a bit clearer, as there is going to be a lot of uncertainty about whether these plans will happen or not over the next few months.

A factor maybe your location, if you can work in central London it’s relatively easy.

I'm not a civil servant but work for an arms-length body. People switch between the various ALBs and the parent department quite happily but I'd echo what @Notsuchacleverclogs said about headcounts. My team is well over its headcount at the moment (ironic because we still don't have enough staff to keep up with the ever-increasing workload) so any moves/promotions are backfilling internal moves or promotions.

I really enjoy my work in the main, but I get frustrated at the slow pace of change in my org. Occasionally there is genuine innovation, but all too often good ideas are stymied by tedious and dogmatic procurement processes, or senior managers who don't understand how we could embrace technology.

Have a look at the Civil Service World article of 12 December about relocating jobs out of London. If you are flexible and willing to change departments it will help you progress.

A teacher at my kids's school told me that she did not know any ex-teachers who lasted more than a year in the Dept for Education. I only lasted 6 months. DfE is (IME) utterly, sole-destroyingly depressing if you've been involved in education. Other departments may be better I guess.

Interesting, why so?

Well 7 years as an ho and no success at interviews, but the Learning I'm doing at the mo 8s good. So can't complain.

@raabbgghhrbb123 get a mentor at the next or 2 grades up, best thing I ever did.