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Additional Information
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Government
Policy scheme

Scheme duration

3 years

Location

UK wide

Scheme overview

On the Government Policy Fast Stream, you will work at the heart of the Civil Service. You’ll design, develop and propose appropriate courses of action to help meet key government priorities, ministerial objectives, and positively impact citizen’s lives.

Who is the scheme suitable for

The scheme offers the opportunity to work on issues that really make a difference to people’s lives as well as more niche policy areas.

Throughout your time on the scheme, you’ll get a grounding in the three pillars of our competency framework – Policy Profession Standards; Strategy, Democracy and Delivery, which will equip you with the tools you need to thrive within the profession.

You will work across a range of departments and roles including potential for cross-government working and international postings, giving you exposure to different elements of policy development and delivery, developing your technical policy skills and establishing crucial networks within and outside of government, all of which will prepare you to become a successful policy leader.

You will have access to a policy specific curriculum including an accredited learning offer, as well as leadership and management training throughout the three years. This will enhance your practical experience, supporting you with learning suited to your role, but more broadly ensuring you have the tools you need to support your policy career longer term.

You will have a buddy as you begin the scheme and no matter where you are, there will be lots of opportunities to get together as a cohort, either in person or virtually.

The support won’t stop as you leave the scheme either. As well as the networks and skills you’ve built through your time on the programme, you will have tapered support as you graduate into your mainstream policy role.

The skills you will develop on the scheme are highly transferable across a broad range of policy areas and government departments, leaving you equipped to shape the policy career that you choose.

Entry requirements

  • eligible to work in the UK
  • you need, or expect to receive, a 2:2 or higher in any degree subject, including degree apprenticeships
  • existing civil servants can apply without a degree

The benefits you’ll enjoy

The programme provides a solid foundation for promotion and long-term career progression within the profession and offers many advantages, which include:

  • responsibility and autonomy in a variety of roles at the heart of the Civil Service
  • excellent training and development opportunities including a professional qualification
  • close contact with senior civil servants and the opportunity to join a valuable network of future leaders
  • possible opportunity for international work
  • enhanced support as you off-board from the scheme into your permanent policy role
  • potential earning opportunities between £45k and £62k upon successful completion of the scheme

Further employment benefits include a generous annual leave offer starting at 25 days plus national holidays, access to the highly competitive Civil Service Pension Scheme, flexible working opportunities, season ticket loans, sports and social activities, childcare assistance and more.

Demystifying the Government Policy scheme

Supporting your learning

Wherever you are starting your journey from, we will support you through a variety of activities to enhance your career in policy.

You will have access to blended learning opportunities to suit your needs consisting of:

  • a structured policy curriculum to ensure competence around each of the pillars of the profession’s Standards – Policy Profession Standards
  • a postgraduate level accredited learning offer in Public Policy
  • policy domain learning e.g. education, justice, health, relevant to your roles through a mix of formal and on-the-job learning
  • social learning through opportunities such as cohort days, communities of practice, action learning sets and mentoring
  • high quality leadership and management training
  • training at foundation level in complimentary specialisms such as analysis, commercial, project management etc.
  • tapered support as you graduate from the scheme into a Grade 7 policy role
  • a postgraduate level accredited learning offer in Public Policy.

Freya talks about her experience on the Government Policy scheme, and gives advice about applying to the Fast Stream.

Read Freya’s story

Government Policy fast streamer, Ryan

About the scheme

Policy professionals play a pivotal role in helping ministers to navigate often complex policy issues and make the commitments of the government a reality.

You will work with Parliament, ministers, legislation and a broad stakeholder network to propose and design courses of action across a variety of policy areas that will improve existing or develop new public services.

You will develop agility of thought, learn how to approach matters strategically, tactically and creatively to develop ideas that will achieve objectives.

You will have opportunities to learn the system of government, support ministers with objective and impartial advice, navigate the complexities of Parliament and may work with other governments both in the UK and overseas.

You will understand how to take a broad view to ensure you’ve weighed up the implications of your proposals and any potential impacts upon implementation. You will also work closely with Operational Delivery colleagues to monitor and adapt policies over time.

You will learn how to develop strong working relationships with others, as building productive networks with a wide range of stakeholders is key to developing effective policy proposals. You will also develop the skills to feel comfortable working in a fast paced and dynamic environment – all essential skills for a policy professional.

There will be lots to learn on the job, but you will be working within a supportive environment to help you develop both the softer and more technical skills required of policy professionals. You will also have access to a carefully structured curriculum as well as the opportunity to build and learn from a constructive network of current and future leaders.

Work at the heart of government is always changing, but your three years on the Fast Stream scheme will be shaped to ensure you can hone your skills and gain a breadth of experience that will support you on your journey to becoming a future leader.

Scheme placement details

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In your first year we will support you to develop a solid foundation in key policy making principles. You will undertake practical learning to compliment your policy postings and establish a network both within your policy domain and across government. You will have the opportunity to hone leadership and management skills throughout your time on the scheme.

In your second year you will deepen your technical policy making skills through an accredited learning programme. You will also develop a grounding across other areas of government to help you work more effectively with colleagues in other professions such as legal, analytical, commercial, finance, operational delivery and more.

The final year will round off your skillset to ensure you become competent at every stage of policy development and delivery. You will be exposed to work at the middle-management level, but with tapered support as the scheme ends. We will ensure you are equipped for a successful and fulfilling career as a policy professional.

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