What is the GovXchange programme?
The programme is set to transform how local and central government work together. Announced as part of the Plan for Change on 16th June 2025, this scheme is designed to maximise impact by fostering invaluable skills and experience sharing.
It presents a unique and powerful opportunity for civil servants to undertake secondments to local or strategic authorities and for council officers to undertake secondments within the Civil Service – empowering our workforce, strengthening leadership, and driving unprecedented levels of collaboration. This is more than just a programme; it’s a catalyst for cultural change in public service. Launched as a pioneering Test & Learn programme in September 2025, the initial phase will be concentrated in four strategic locations integral to delivering our Missions – Darlington, Leeds, Manchester, and Sheffield.
A Test & Learn approach is a pilot method to trial new ideas, learn from the results, and refine strategies before wider implementation across the country.
The programme is open to individuals employed by the Civil Service, local or strategic authorities who are eager to develop skills, gain new experiences, and make a tangible impact. It is open to a range of grades, professions and secondment arrangements, including short or long-term secondments, part-time arrangements or exchanges/job swaps, to provide flexibility for both the host organisation and the secondee.
In order to take part in the programme, you must be employed by the Civil Service or a local or strategic authority and have the legal right to work in the UK. For secondments into the Civil Service, the Civil Service Nationality rules (CSNR) may apply according to the stipulations below:
- The usual arrangement is for individuals to remain employed by their home organisation and not to transfer to Civil Service terms and conditions. In this instance, the CSNR do not apply.
- If, in the exceptional case, an individual involved in the programme is engaged on Civil Service terms and conditions for the duration of the placement, the CSNR will apply, and national eligibility must be assessed.
If you would like to experience a secondment to strengthen our public services and your career development, submit your interest now by completing the Expression of Interest Form
Secondments for the programme will be arranged on an ongoing basis; therefore, there is no set closing date for submitting your interest. However, we may close for applications once a sufficient number of secondments have been identified for the Test & Learn phase. We encourage you to act quickly to maximise your chance to be part of this creative opportunity.
Participants must meet the basic eligibility criteria for the GovXchange programme.
We invite Civil Service departments and local or strategic authorities to host secondees as part of the Test & Learn programme. Roles across all professions are welcome, especially in Darlington, Leeds, Sheffield, and Manchester and surrounding areas, to support the government missions.
If you have relevant roles to offer, or if a secondment could support your priorities, we’d love to hear from you.
If you are interested in hosting a secondee within your team as part of the programme, please submit details of the role by completing this Role Submission Form. If you do not have roles in these locations, please use the form to express an interest in any future participation in the GovXchange programme.
Read our hosting questions and answers
If you need any further information, please email secondmentexpertise@cabinetoffice.gov.uk or secondments@local.gov.uk
About the secondments
What is the matching process?
The GovXchange programme will not use formal recruitment to identify individuals most suitable for the secondment opportunities. Instead, a matching process will be in place.
Once a role or an individual’s interest has been submitted via the forms provided, the GovXchange programme team will identify where matches can be made. The vacancy holder will then set up a meeting with the applicant to discuss the opportunity in more detail. The meeting should be an informal discussion with the potential secondee to consider whether they are suitable for the role. It is up to the discretion of the vacancy holder as to how they approach this conversation.
Following the discussion, if there is mutual agreement between both parties to proceed with the secondment, the secondment can start being set up between the host and home organisation. If either party feels the secondment is unsuitable, the secondment will not proceed. The role and individual will remain on the database for further potential matches.
What does the programme offer?
This programme offers an exciting opportunity for civil servants to undertake secondments to local or strategic authorities, and for employees from local or strategic authorities to be seconded into the Civil Service. It provides a formalised way to increase collaboration, develop leadership and strengthen our collective impact, and offers a rare chance to build bridges across different parts of government and work together to make a real difference for local communities.
How long do the secondments last?
We aim to provide as much flexibility as possible with the duration of the secondments involved. The specific length of each placement will be determined on a case-by-case basis, depending on the needs of the role and the individual secondee.
We are open to a range of secondment opportunities, including:
- Short-term secondments, which deliver a discrete piece of work may be more suited to a shorter arrangement, such as 12 weeks. For example, a secondee may be brought in to deliver a specific aspect of a larger project or to provide front-line experience to support a part of the policy development process.
- Longer-term secondments, which may be more suitable for the secondees who want to build capability and expertise or fully lead and deliver a longer-term project.
- Part-time arrangements may be beneficial for an individual who can join the host organisation for a set number of days per week or month, enabling them to continue their work in the home organisation for the remaining time. For example, it may be helpful to have a secondee who can support the ongoing development of a policy or programme by providing regular guidance and expertise, without needing to be involved full-time.
- Exchange or job swap opportunities between organisations. In these cases, individuals in similar roles and at comparable levels swap places to gain experience working in a different part of government, whilst also sharing their own expertise and knowledge.
Our goal is to accommodate secondment arrangements that work best for both the vacancy holder and the secondee. We are committed to offering flexibility to ensure the placement meets the unique needs and preferences of those involved.
How are the secondments remunerated?
The individual terms of the secondment, such as remuneration, will need to be agreed between the host and home organisation.
The usual arrangement for secondments is for individuals to remain on their home organisation’s Terms and Conditions, payroll and pay awards, which will mean no changes to employees’ pension arrangements and injury benefits will be made. The host organisation will reimburse the secondee’s salary costs to the home organisation and VAT will be applied in most cases.
Who is administering this secondment programme?
GovXchange will run in partnership between the Cabinet Office and the Local Government Association. See the Resourcing and Secondments Expertise privacy notice, setting out how we will use your personal data, and your rights.
When will the secondments start?
Once a secondment match has been agreed upon by both the host and home organisations, the specific terms of the secondment will need to be agreed. The secondee will also need to undertake any relevant security or pre-employment checks, as well as complete any actions required by the host organisation’s policies as part of the onboarding process.
Once any relevant checks or actions are completed and the host organisation confirms the secondment can go ahead, a start date can be agreed. The start date should be suitable for all parties involved..
Where will secondments be based?
Secondment placements will be based across four of the Place for Growth Thematic Campuses, and surrounding areas, in Darlington, Sheffield, Leeds and Manchester, although some additional travel may be required to other UK-based offices operated by host departments.
Please specify if you have any geographical restrictions at the time of expressing your interest in secondment opportunities.
Can I undertake a secondment remotely?
The Test & Learn phase secondments will take place in Darlington, Sheffield, Leeds and Manchester, and the surrounding areas. There may be more flexible arrangements, such as remote or hybrid working, on offer, but this will be role dependent and considered on a case-by-case basis.
Please specify if you have any geographical restrictions at the time of expressing your interest to take part in the programme
I currently work part-time hours, am I able to take part in a secondment?
Yes, if you are interested in a secondment and have a non-standard working pattern, please include your preferred arrangement in the expression of interest form. This will help us to identify the most appropriate matches and ensure we can accommodate your requirements
Do you offer a relocation package?
We do not offer a relocation package. Candidates should be within commuting distance of the location they are interested in.
Interested in being a secondee but still have questions?
Here’s what other secondees have said…
“It’s a brilliant opportunity to step outside your usual routine and get a feel for the bigger picture. You’ll start to see how national policy comes together, why certain decisions are made, and how your work connects to wider government goals. That kind of insight really sticks with you. You’ll come back with fresh ideas, a broader perspective, and probably a bit of a boost too.”
“Take a leap of faith, it will pay off. It is a great way to connect with others, learn new skills and broaden your expertise and knowledge as well as the opportunity to contribute corporately.”
“Go for it! It will develop you and share your skills and insight more widely.”
Register your interest now!
If you would like to experience a secondment to strengthen our public services and your career development, submit your interest now! Complete the Expression of Interest Form.
If you have relevant roles to offer, or if a secondment could support your priorities, we’d love to hear from you. Complete the Role Matching Form.
