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The in-service route allows current civil servants to apply for the Fast Stream. Below you can find eligibility criteria and advice for existing civil servants who wish to apply through this route.
Available schemes for the in-service route
The in-service route exists to allow serving civil servants to apply for some schemes without a degree.
In-service candidates do not need a degree for the following Fast Stream options:
- Commercial
- Cyber Security
- Digital
- Diplomatic & Development
- Fast Stream Yorkshire and the Humber
- Finance
- Government Policy
- HR
- Operational Delivery
- Project Delivery
- Property
- Risk Management
Want to apply to a different scheme?
If you’re a civil servant interested in a scheme not listed above, you’ll need the appropriate degree to apply.
Eligibility criteria for in-service applicants
To be eligible for the Fast Stream, in-service candidates must:
- have passed their probation period before their projected start date
- have been recruited through a process of fair and open competition
- have maintained continuity of service throughout the selection process
- not be subject to performance or disciplinary measures
Candidates transferring from an Arm’s Length Body (ALB) will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
In line with Cabinet Office HR Policy, continuity of service is normally maintained where:
- there is a break in service of less than 4 weeks following previous employment with a government department; and
- the offer of re-employment is received before the last day of the current contract and the candidate starts with the Fast Stream within 13 weeks of the end of their current contract
Continuity of service will not be preserved where:
- the break in service is longer than the periods specified above; or
- the candidate commences work for any other employer during a break in service (this includes in-service applicants who receive a formal offer of re-employment before they leave the Department).
Casual or agency staff, or those on secondment from outside the Civil Service, are unlikely to be eligible to apply.
Substantive SEOs and higher
Staff at SEO grade or above can apply for the Fast Stream via the in-service route, however successful applicants must accept a salary reduction from the higher grade into the specialist training grade (HEO/Fast Stream).
This salary reduction is voluntary; candidates must personally agree to the lower pay after assessing their own financial circumstances. It is not possible to retain your existing substantive grade or salary level when joining the scheme.
If you have further queries, please submit a request for help