UK Civil Service

Who we are

The UK Civil Service is the permanent body of approximately 200,000 employees that supports the Government of the United Kingdom in developing and implementing policies and delivering public services. Civil servants work across more than 25 government departments and hundreds of agencies, in roles spanning policy, operations, digital, analysis, law, science and engineering, communications, finance, commercial, HR, and project delivery.

This is an umbrella profile. Specific terms, locations, and benefits vary by department and grade.

Our values

Civil servants commit to four core values, codified in the Civil Service Code (which forms part of every civil servant's terms and conditions):

• Integrity — putting the obligations of public service above your own personal interests
• Honesty — being truthful and open
• Objectivity — basing your advice and decisions on rigorous analysis of the evidence
• Impartiality — acting solely according to the merits of the case and serving equally well governments of different political persuasions

The Civil Service is also pursuing "A Modern Civil Service" — a published vision of a skilled, innovative, and ambitious organisation equipped for the future.

Flexible working

Working patterns vary by role and department, but the Civil Service offers a broad menu of flexible-working options where it can:

• Compressed hours, including a 4-day working week (your contracted hours spread over 4 days) and a 4½-day week (4 longer days plus a half-day Friday)
• Part-time and term-time working
• Flexi-time and adjusted start/finish times
• Job-sharing
• Some flexibility over where you work (hybrid)

Crucially, compressed-hours arrangements do not change pay or benefits — staff continue to work their contracted hours, just over an alternative working pattern.

Pension and benefits

The Civil Service Pension Scheme is one of the most valuable benefits of joining: secure, inflation-proof pension for life; member contribution rates among the lowest in the public sector; generous employer contributions; tax-free lump-sum option on retirement; ill-health and injury benefits; life-assurance cover; benefits for dependents; the option to transfer in pensions built up elsewhere.

Learning & Development — coaching and mentoring; work-based qualifications and externally-recognised qualifications; job shadowing; access to Civil Service Learning courses and a guaranteed 5 days per year dedicated to learning and development; secondment and loan opportunities; talent programmes including the Civil Service Fast Stream.

Health, well-being and discounts — discounted gym memberships; retail discounts; Cycle to Work schemes; Reward and Recognition vouchers; CSSC (Civil Service Sports Council) membership offering thousands of discounts including free year-round family entry to places like Cadw, English Heritage, Historic Scotland and Kew Gardens. The Charity for Civil Servants offers practical, financial and emotional support to current and former civil servants.

Diversity & Inclusion

The published Diversity and Inclusion Strategy commits to a Civil Service that draws from the communities it serves; is visible to those communities; is flexible; and welcomes talent from all backgrounds. Supported recruitment routes include the Disability Confident scheme, Care Leavers Internship Scheme, Great Place to Work for Veterans, Prison Leaver Recruitment, and Going Forward into Employment.

How to apply

Apply for jobs at civilservicejobs.service.gov.uk. Recruitment is based on the Civil Service Success Profiles framework (Behaviours, Strengths, Experience, Ability, Technical). Reasonable adjustments are available throughout the process.