Making an Application

Whether you’re a potential applicant, interested in sponsoring someone, or want to encourage applications in your organisation, we want to hear from you. Below you will find information on entry criteria and the application and selection processes. If you can demonstrate that you have the potential to not only make a difference but help transform the future leadership of a world-class Civil Service, why not apply?

Criteria

The scheme is open to civil servants who meet the following criteria.

(a) You must be from one of the following groups that are currently under-represented in the SCS:

• women;
• or disabled people (the Disability Discrimination Act describes a disabled person as a person with ‘a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on his/her ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities’);
• or are from the following specific minority ethnic backgrounds: Asian of Bangladeshi origin; Asian of Indian origin; Asian of Pakistani origin; Asian of other origin; Black of African origin; Black of Caribbean origin; Black of other origin; Chinese; of Asian and White mixed origins; Black African and White mixed origins; Black Caribbean and White mixed origins; or any other mixed origins.

(b) working in the Civil Service at Grade 6/7 or equivalent (either permanent or on a minimum 3 year fixed-term contract);

(c) committed to staying in the Civil Service for the duration of the scheme

(d) committed to working towards application for entry to the SCS within two years of graduation; and

(e) able to demonstrate senior leadership potential.

You may demonstrate this potential in a number of different ways. For example:

• a line manager will comment on your leadership potential in their assessment of your suitability for nomination;
• you may be able to provide evidence of success at a higher level (for example, in an acting SCS role); or
• you could provide examples of working above your grade, and to higher level competencies.

Application Process

Entry to the scheme is by application and through a departmental nomination process. Applications will be sifted by your organisation's Nomination Panel with a senior chair. You should ask your HR department about your organisation's nomination arrangements and deadlines. However, as a general guideline, the departmental application process will need to be completed by mid summer.

If you are nominated by your organisation, you will then go through an Assessment & Development Centre where your leadership potential and aptitude will be assessed against PSG criteria and the SCS Leadership Expectations Framework. Your department may have a shortlist if they decide to put forward more candidates than the places they will fund.

If successful at the Assessment & Development Centre you will be accepted onto the scheme (subject to funding), with detailed feedback from the Assessment Centre that you will use as the basis for your Leadership Development Plan. Even if you are not successful at the Centre, you will receive feedback.