Fraud Officers within Counter Fraud, Compliance and Debt (CFCD) work within either the Compliance Team or the Enhanced Review Team, helping to protect public funds and ensure benefit integrity.
Compliance Officer
As a Compliance Officer, you’ll play a vital role in ensuring fairness and accuracy within the benefits system. The purpose? To make sure claimants receive the correct amount of support, by identifying overpayments, underpayments and potential discrepancies.
You’ll use multiple IT systems to examine case details, ensuring you are fully informed before speaking with claimants. Interviews are a key part of the role; structured yet empathetic conversations where you gather facts, ask the right questions, and give individuals the opportunity to disclose any changes in their circumstances. After interviews, you’ll use the information gathered in conversation to update systems, follow up on evidence, and collaborate with colleagues to progress cases efficiently. You will manage your own caseload, check systems for evidence and updates and prepare referrals to other departments with clear and concise recommendations.
If you are detail-orientated, organised and passionate about making a difference, this is a role where your skills matter.
Enhanced Review Officer
Looking for a role where your attention to detail and investigative mindset can make a real impact? As a Case Review Officer in our Enhanced Review Team (ERT), you’ll be at the heart of ensuring benefit claims are accurate and compliant – working closely with the wider DWP and potentially beyond to protect public funds.
Each day brings variety: from team check-ins and system reviews to managing your own caseload of benefit claims. You’ll preview cases, conduct deep-dive assessments and identify discrepancies that require further investigation. Telephone interviews and evidence requests are part of the process, as is writing clear, detailed summaries to support decision making.
You’ll verify documents, liaise with different areas of the business, and ensure claimants meet required timescales. Organisation and adaptability are key – no two cases are the same, and each presents its own unique challenge.
If you’re curious, analytical, and thrive in a fast-paced environment, this is your chance to make a difference.
Real Stories From Our Team
A Day in the Life of a Compliance Officer
Show video transcript
- I'm definitely proud to be a Civil Servant, and if people ask me what I do for a living, I do tell them. And most people are shocked at the job.
- But yeah, no, I really enjoy my job and I'm pleased to tell anyone. And I do feel a sense of pride working for the Civil Service.
- My name is Steph and I am a Compliance Officer. I think the pride comes from helping the public, making sure that people are getting everything that they should be receiving, benefit wise, and the ones that aren’t then I’m there to stop them from getting it.
- So a big part of the job is phoning people and doing telephone interviews. Due to the nature of the calls that we do, I do have a private office that I sit in, and that's designed to protect people's identities. So you're under the Carer's Allowance limit, but you might also be entitled to claim for Universal Credit. It would also cover payments for the children. And also you need to make sure you're receiving Child Benefit as well.
- We are fully aware. I normally don't ask questions that I don't already know the answers to. I've not accused you of anything. What I'm saying is I'm stating a fact. It will be more serious for you if it comes back that there's information you failed to disclose during this interview today. That was what would be classed one of our more difficult cases. The good result, is though he finally admitted that he was in the wrong. And obviously that's a win for us and a win for the public purse as well.
- So it's 11:00am I've done my interviews for the morning, so now I'm sitting out here with the rest of the staff. One of the good things about this job is I get to manage my own diary, I book my own appointments. I have free reign on how my day works so I'm not micromanaged.
- Oh yeah, we definitely have a laugh in the office so, everyone's really friendly and nice together. So nine times out of ten you’ll hear laughing coming from somewhere in the office. Fun.
- So basically, at the moment I'm a bit stuck. I need to send information off to a Local Authority to check on a housing benefit claim. So I'm going to need to go and ask my colleague for a bit of help. Hiya, I need some help, please. I need to know what they're case… so it's 2:30 now, I have a meeting with my mentor just to go over basically how my week's been, any issues that I've got and concerns regarding any claims.
- Hi, Tracey. How are you? Tracey: I'm fine. Steph, how are you? Steph: I'm really good. Thanks. Good. Thanks. Yeah. Tracey: Is there anything you want any help with at all? Steph: Well, there is a couple of cases I need to discuss with you.
- So, obviously, if I was to suggest that you apply for the job at 100%, I would tell you to go for it. Because I find this job very rewarding. I love my job. I love my colleagues. I enjoy getting up in the morning and going to work.
- Some of the perks for working for DWP is flexi-time. There's also a good pension plan. So yeah, it's a really good place to work. So that's 4 p.m. that’s me finished for the day. So I'm away to enjoy some sunshine and play with my dogs, for a while.
Compliance: A Role That Makes a Real Difference
Compliance is all about making sure things are right – for the people claiming benefits and for the system as a whole. It’s a role that’s full of variety, challenges, and learning.
There’s always something new to discover, and you’re never on your own. If you’re looking for a career where you can make a real difference and grow your skills, Compliance might just be the place for you.
Aiden
Why I Love Working in CFCD
Work-Life balance and Well-being are not just words in CFCD, they have meaning, and I truly believe that within CFCD there is a culture of looking after staff.
I have felt supported throughout my time in Compliance and whether there be a personal or work issue, I know there is always someone to talk to about it.
Laura
Compliance Officer Training
We invest in our people, which is why every new Compliance Officer begins their training journey with our National Compliance Academy. This is a comprehensive 10-week programme designed to give you a strong, confident start in your role.
The academy offers in depth training on benefit systems, legislation, interview techniques and case management all delivered by experienced Compliance Officers invested in your success.
Throughout your training and consolidation period, you’ll be supported by experienced coaches and mentors who are there to guide, encourage and answer any questions you may have.
Once you have graduated from the academy, you will be assigned a buddy who is there to provide you with ongoing, personalised support as you work with your own caseload. Whether it’s navigating systems, preparing for interviews, or managing your caseload, your buddy is there to help you succeed.
From day one as a Compliance Officer, you’ll be part of a team that’s committed to your learning, development and long-term success.
Enhanced Review Officer Training
We know starting a new role can be daunting, which is why the Enhanced Review Team has created a comprehensive 16-week routeway – designed with the people who do the job every day.
Your journey begins with a 2-week induction, giving you a solid foundation in DWP, the support available to you, and an introduction to ERT. From there, you’ll move into technical learning, combining hands-on job shadowing with expert-led sessions to build your confidence and capability.
Next comes a 6-week consolidation period, where you will apply your learning with the full support of a dedicated mentor, your Team Leader, and the Functional Lead Team. You’ll gradually take on more responsibility, and once you are ready, you will complete Line Manager Assurance checks, which show that you are up to speed and have absorbed everything taught in your technical learning.
But the learning doesn’t stop there. You’ll have access to a wide range of resources to deepen your knowledge or specialise in areas that interest you. Whether you’re new to the Civil Service or looking to grow your career, we’ll give you the tools and support to succeed.
Join us and build a careers with purpose, backed by a training programme that sets you up for success from day one.
To support your professional development within CFCD, DWP is committed to helping you gain and maintain membership of the Government Counter Fraud Profession (GCFP).
The GCFP is a cross-Government initiative that sets the standard for counter fraud work across the public sector. It provides a clear framework for developing specialist skills, maintaining integrity, and delivering excellence in fraud prevention, detection and investigation.
The key capabilities that are required for GCFP membership, you will gain naturally through doing your day job; such as conducting interviews, analysing complex information and making evidence-based decisions.
Achieving GCFP membership not only recognises your skills and professional development but may facilitate further career opportunities within the counter fraud community.
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