I want to be a civil servant
HMG Baseline Personnel Security Standard
A Good Practice Guide to the Pre-Employment Screening of Government Staff and Contractors
All successful candidates are subject to the requirements of the HMG Baseline Personnel Security Standard (Baseline Standard). This includes all successful applicants for employment in the civil service and armed forces and applies to both permanent and temporary staff and private sector employees working on government contracts.
The Baseline Standard requires the verification of the following four elements:
Identity
To verify identity departments will ask candidates to provide, in advance of any firm offer of employment, the following:
- Confirmation of name, date of birth and address
- National insurance number or other unique personal identifying number (where appropriate)
- Full details of previous employers (name, address and dates), over the past three years
- Confirmation of any necessary qualifications/licences
- Educational details and references where someone is new to the workforce
- Confirmation of permission to work in the UK if appropriate
Employment history (past 3 years)
Departments are not required to seek references from previous employers as part of the Baseline Standard but some may choose to do so as part of their pre-employment checks. However, all departments will seek verification of a candidate's employment history and will ask for names of previous employers and dates employed.
Departments will also seek clarification if an individual has been overseas for six months or more during the previous three years.
Nationality and Immigration Status
The Civil Service, like all employers, is subject to the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996 and required to verify whether or not new employees have the right to remain and work in the UK. In addition to the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996, civil employment under the Crown, in particular the Home Civil Service, is subject to nationality rules which are statutorily based. More information on Civil Service Nationality Rules.
Therefore, as a potential employee, all government departments will take steps to verify your nationality and right to work in the UK.
Criminal record (unspent convictions only)
Successful candidates will also be required to declare their unspent criminal record. Currently, the guidance requires candidates to complete a self declaration form permitting departments to verify this declaration using Disclosure Scotland's Basic Disclosure service.
If you are applying, or have applied for a vacancy, and would like to know more about how to meet the requirements of the Baseline Standard, you should contact the recruiting department.