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Current civil servants are welcome to apply to the Fast Stream under the in-service route. The below information provides advice and eligibility criteria for all existing civil servants wishing to use the in-service route.
Available schemes for the in-service route
The in-service route exists to allow serving civil servants to apply for some schemes without a degree.
In-service candidates do not need a degree for the following Fast Stream options:
- Risk Management
- Commercial
- Cyber Security
- Digital
- Diplomatic & Development
- Finance
- Government Policy
- HR
- Operational Delivery
- Project Delivery
- Property
Want to apply to a different scheme?
If you’re a civil servant interested in a scheme not listed above, you’ll need the appropriate degree to apply.
Eligibility criteria for in-service applicants
To be eligible for the Fast Stream, in-service candidates must meet the following criteria:
- passed their probation period before their projected start date
- have been recruited through a process of fair and open competition
- maintained continuity of service throughout the selection process
Candidates transferring from an Arm’s Length Body (ALB) will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
In line with Cabinet Office HR Policy, continuity of service is normally maintained where:
- there is a break in service of less than 4 weeks following previous employment with a government department; and
- the offer of re-employment is received before the last day of the current contract and the candidate starts with the Fast Stream within 13 weeks of the end of their current contract
Continuity of service will not be preserved where:
- the break in service is longer than the periods specified above; or
- the candidate commences work for any other employer during a break in service (this includes in-service applicants who receive a formal offer of re-employment before they leave the Department).
Casual or agency staff, or those on secondment from outside the Civil Service, are unlikely to be eligible to apply.
Individuals on poor performance or disciplinary measures are not eligible to apply.
Substantive SEOs and higher
Candidates SEO or above are eligible to apply for the in-service route.
However, please be aware that applicants will need to consider a salary downgrade to align with the pay scale associated with this role. We encourage candidates to review the job requirements and salary structure carefully, and to discuss any concerns regarding pay during the application process.
In terms of salary for an SEO or higher, because the individual will be moving from a substantive SEO (or higher) grade and salary to a specialist training grade (HEO/Fast Stream), their salary will be downgraded.
Downgrading is voluntary, i.e. the individual will need to accept the downgrade in salary based on information provided and their own consideration of the impact to them. They will not be able to bring their substantive SEO (or higher) grade or pay with them.
Please submit a request for help should you have any questions.