What does the Public Safety Group do?

The Public Safety Group’s (PSG) role is to keep the public safe by cutting crime, disrupting the highest harm criminals, protecting the vulnerable and ensuring that our police, fire and rescue services are as efficient and effective as they can be in delivering front-line public services.  We work with our partners in law enforcement, establishing governance arrangements at an international, national, regional, and local level. The challenges and context to our work are varied and change rapidly, making this one of the most exciting areas of government to work in.

We offer a supportive, flexible environment with a strong focus on learning and development. We’ll equip you with the skills, leadership and knowledge needed to shape policy, advise ministers and collaborate effectively with stakeholders.

What could I be doing?

Whether your role is developing and implementing policy, allocating funding or delivering legislation, you could be dealing with one of many pressing and often high-profile issues that are ministerial priorities. Our policy teams provide credible advice to Home Office ministers and senior leaders. Using research and analysis to support recommendations and drive outcomes, you’ll work among a diverse and supportive team, making decisions and contributing to the fast-paced nature of our work.

In addition to policy, we have operational teams that work across the directorates. Their roles can include overseeing the licit use of controlled drugs and preventing their diversion to the illicit market by issuing licenses for controlled substances and prohibited firearms held by registered dealers, freight companies, maritime armed guards, clubs, and museums. Our operational teams are also involved in identifying and referring potential victims of modern slavery, ensuring they receive appropriate support and protection.

Our teams

• Crime Reduction Directorate

  Coordinates and delivers the government’s approach to preventing crime. We take an evidence-based approach, working with partners at a national and local level, and tackle the drivers of crime.

• Fire and Major Events Directorate

  Brings together policy units covering fire safety, fire strategy, reform of the fire and rescue services and fire resilience. The directorate also assures the delivery of major events and includes the independent Crown Premises Fire Safety Inspectorate.

• Policing Policy Directorate

  Is responsible for ensuring the policing sector has the right powers, tools, governance and scrutiny in place to be able to protect the public and meet their obligations.

• Emergency Services Mobile Communications  Programme

  Is responsible for delivering the Emergency Services Network (ESN). ESN will enable fast, safe and secure voice, video and data across the 4G network and give first responders immediate access to life-saving data, images and information in live situations and emergencies on the frontline.

• Serious Organised Crime and International Criminality Directorate

  Works at home and abroad to strengthen cooperation by supporting operational activity on high-profile cases, tackling serious organised crime at its source to prevent it reaching the UK, and working with operational and international partners to enhance crime-fighting tools and capabilities.

• Strategy, Capabilities and Resources Directorate

  Is responsible for the cross-cutting pieces of work within the group. As a directorate we have a critical role in ensuring the Public Safety Group and our operational partners can deliver ministerial priorities by securing or providing the capability and resources they need to be successful.

• Tackling Exploitation and Abuse Directorate

  We act to prevent cases, support victims and drive change in industry. The directorate works collaboratively with other bodies to implement the support framework required to protect individuals and tackle these issues across the UK.

• Police Standards and Performance Improvement Directorate

  We drive police force performance improvements focusing on the Home Secretary’s national priorities around improving policing standards and performance.

Where could I work?

Depending on your role, you could be based in one of the following Home Office hubs:

• Manchester, Soapworks – Reachable within 20 mins of Manchester Piccadilly station via the city’s tram network. There is an onsite coffee shop offering a selection of beverages and hot and cold food.
• London – based in Marsham Street, Westminster, our thriving site is equipped with a canteen, coffee shop and on-site gym.

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 an office.

What skills/experience might I need?

Specific skills and experience required can vary based on your role. It’s likely you’ll need the ability to critically evaluate complex information from various sources and make informed decisions. Whilst your policy experience is transferable, you should bring evidence-based methodologies that enable sound decision making and meet strategic objectives.

Strong written and oral communication skills are essential, as is the ability to build effective relationships with diverse teams, including ministers. You should be ready to thrive in a fast-paced, evolving environment, where collaboration and delivery through others are key.

What are the benefits?

As a permanent Home Office colleague, you could benefit from the following:

• Flexible working: Experience an environment that offers flexible working options.
• Inclusive culture: We have a culture that encourages inclusion and diversity.
• Civil Service pension: Receive a Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%.
• Learning & development: Tailored to your role.