How long for Pre-employment Checks with Civil Service

Hi

I did my interview for Exuctive Officer on 9th December 2016 and got a provisional offer on 23rd December 2016. I filled all the forms requested on the same day and emailed back.

I got a call on 30 December 2016, confirming address, whether I want to work full/part time and whether I would be accepting the offer. My question is should I take that as a confirmation of formal offer? I asked the lady and she was vague but said she is calling to confirm address to send the employment contract in the next few weeks.

I just feel very confused at the moment as to whether I am in or there is still a chance the offer might get withdrawn.

P.s. I have nothing on my criminal record or any bad references, I do however have a disability which I explained on the health declaration form. Should I be concerned?

Thanks.

I would take that as a formal offer, based on what you've said.

Pre-employment checks can vary massively with length of time taken, so try not to worry about it (easier said than done, I know!) I first got an offer in November from my department, and didn't end up starting until April because my pre-employment checks weren't sorted until March! Even my line manager and lead analyst were getting concerned because they were unsure what I was doing for money at the time and were starting to think I'd turn down the offer and go elsewhere. Mine took an awfully long time compared to a lot of people for some reason, but from a focus group I did with other new starters, a good few others were in similar positions.

It's very very unlikely that your offer would be withdrawn, it sounds like it's all but confirmed. It just takes a fair amount of time to get all the checks done.

Well done.

Moved into Public Sector.

Thank you so much for that, I feel better knowing that it can take a while. On the provisional offer email, it says 20 working days so I am hoping it will be withing that time frame as I am not working at the moment and want to start asap.

what department are you working for (if you don't mind me asking) and what is civil service like as an employer? my offer is with dwp as a presenting officer.

I am currently not - I had to stop work in November because of health problems, so not well enough to work at the moment. But intending to go back to the Civil Service again when I'm well enough.

But I was at DWP too. So hopefully what I wrote above can be of some reassurance! It can take a while to get everything sorted before the start date, but it will happen. And they are such a brilliant department to work for - so many brilliant people, loads of things to get involved with, and they're such a supportive department.

Hi

I did my interview for Exuctive Officer on 9th December 2016 and got a provisional offer on 23rd December 2016. I filled all the forms requested on the same day and emailed back.

I got a call on 30 December 2016, confirming address, whether I want to work full/part time and whether I would be accepting the offer. My question is should I take that as a confirmation of formal offer? I asked the lady and she was vague but said she is calling to confirm address to send the employment contract in the next few weeks.

I just feel very confused at the moment as to whether I am in or there is still a chance the offer might get withdrawn.

P.s. I have nothing on my criminal record or any bad references, I do however have a disability which I explained on the health declaration form. Should I be concerned?

Thanks.

I am in same boat as you were a few months ago. I have had an offer (EO grade) and submitted paperwork and ticked for disability too although concerned as ticked for hearing loss but didn't like the wording as said something like 'substantialy impacts day to day life'. So to tick or not to tick? I ticked as felt I may come back on me not to tick about hearing. Few days ago got a 'call saying you recently applied for a job at DWP (i applied for few and a few interviews but only offically been offered and accepted one) so didn't like to say 'which one'. She asked, 'have you got any qualifications like GCSE or A levels?' I thought odd to ask. I said I have a degree and a PGCE. Tthat was all but just felt 'are they picking holes' in my applciation so re read the paperwork I sent after initial offer and began to feel was I right to tick the hearing description/disability bit as gives impression incapable of doing job the way they have worded it. I rang a lday who offered me post and me ticking hearing box she said not to worry but i will add your message and forward on. I feel so stressed waiting for this clearance. How did you finally get on?

I had paperwork to complete for OH last week but never asked any questions about hearing! I have been informed by friends that they have received reference requests so thins seem to be moving. Hopefully, all be done soonish. Thank you very much for reply and hope you are enjoying your job.

Hello, Firstly, I have gained a great sense of support from this specific forum! These pre-employment checks sey tell them just managers (hence, why I am dreading telling them because I don't want them to ects, closer alignment to my interests etc.) Please help! Thank you in advance.

It took five weeks for them to get back to me after I sent away all the forms, and when they got back to me it was just Parity asking if they could approach my current employer for a reference. Apparently it is a few more weeks after before you hear about a formal offer - I've been given estimates of another 2 weeks to 2 months for this.

It's been very difficult because I was told to inform my current employer they were going to be approached for references but I was told that I was not to hand in my notice as I don't have a firm offer, which is conditional on security checks. I argued this point, but was told security checks can't be finalised until they've got references from my current employer. It's a terrible system in my opinion, and I am left in limbo now as my current employer has naturally taken this as me giving my notice and I'll be jobless in a week.

I have had a call about start date this morning. Im not working so need for notice. I contacted cs just a few days ago and they said they were having delays with outside agencies ans whether they could bypass. I did already have a DBS form 2016, althought i dont think this matters much. Due to disability/hearing loss i also had a call from OH just before the job call. They are leaving start date to me a job is not local but 250 miles away!!!! So need to sort rental. You will be fine but understand not ideal and have to agree the whole process after provisional offer is stressful. Good luck!

That's good news re getting your start date. I'm not surprised if there are delays, there are so many of us they've got to process. I'm not too worried about a brief period of joblessness as I'm not paying rent at the moment.

Good luck with your 250 mile move!

Thank you and hope you sorted soon. What department you going to be working in?