Digital, Data and Technology: Frequently Asked Questions

Our main office locations are situated in Manchester, Sheffield and Glasgow, with some London and Croydon based roles.

Specific locations being recruited to will always be stated on the job advert.

More information about, our Manchester location specifically can be found on our Manchester tech jobs landing page.  

Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working.  This is a non-contractual arrangement where employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in the office. 

Nationality requirements for our roles can vary; however, every advert will set out the requirements that apply for that specific vacancy. 

The Home Office does not sponsor visas. Candidates will need to demonstrate that they are legally permitted to work and that they have the right to remain in the UK.

SC (Security Check) clearance is one of the levels of security clearance for government departments. Being SC cleared is a requirement for Home Office DDaT (Digital Data and Technology) roles.

For all our digital roles we require Security Clearance (SC) clearance checks. More information can be found on:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels/sc-guidance-pack-for-applicants

For meaningful checks to be carried out, individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time to enable appropriate checks to be carried out and produce a result which provides the required level of assurance. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 5 years for SC clearance. A lack of UK residency in itself is not necessarily a bar to a security clearance and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder/Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.  

The Home Office’s security checks will look at your:

Employment history
Criminal history
Credit checks
Current and previous residences
Time spent outside of the UK

The length of time it takes for you to go through the security clearance process depends on several factors, and each person and their circumstances is unique, but the service is currently operating at a median SLA (Service Level Agreement) of 35 calendar days.

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

This means that the post is eligible for a DDaT Recruitment Retention Allowance. Successful candidates with exceptional skills and experience may apply for a Recruitment and Retention Allowance up to a maximum of £5,000. This allowance is subject to an initial review within six months of taking up the post and after that an annual review in line with departmental priorities, so it could be reduced or withdrawn at any time.  

All Civil Servants are automatically enrolled into the Civil Service Pension Scheme.  This is an excellent scheme, with an employer contribution of 28.97%, one of the highest rates in the UK.

More information can be found on the Civil Service Pension scheme website.: Contribution rates – Civil Service Pension Scheme.

You will not receive expenses for travelling into your contracted office location. If you are required to travel to another location for work, you will be able to claim travel costs and subsistence rates in line with the Home Office policy, which will be available to you when you join.