Exceptions
The Commission recognises that in some circumstances it may be right to allow appointments to be made outside of the principle of selection on merit on the basis of fair and open competition. Any such exception should not undermine this fundamental principle.
Such appointments by exception are usually short-term; for example secondments which promote the exchange of ideas and experience.
Such appointments by exception are usually short-term; for example secondments which promote the exchange of ideas and experience.
Under the Recruitment Principles (PDF, 16 pages, 269KB), departments may in most cases apply the exceptions themselves. The Commission’s approval is, however, required for appointments by exception at SCS Payband two and above and in some circumstances for those at less senior levels. A list of exceptions at and above Payband two level can be found here.
In rare cases departments and agencies may need to request that an appointment made as an exception to the Recruitment Principles be extended for a limited period beyond the initial term. The Commission will only consider such a request if the appointing department or agency provides a strong business case. When submitting a business case to the Commission, departments and agencies should use one of the Exception Forms and include all relevant information.
Exception 2/ Life Chances Programmes
The Commission accredits and champions government employment initiatives through a specific Exception in its Recruitment Principles – Exception 2 : Support for government employment programmes. This Exception is designed to allow schemes which provide fixed term appointments within the Civil Service for individuals whose circumstances and previous life chances make it difficult for them to compete for appointments on merit on the basis of fair and open competition, without further work experience and/or training opportunities. Under Exception 2, departments may appoint individuals temporarily for up to 2 years. Any proposal to extend an appointment beyond 2 years requires the permission of the Commission.
| Scheme No | Sponsoring Department/s | Name of Programme | Target Group |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | DWP | AO Social Mobility Apprenticeship Programme | Long Term Unemployed Benefit Recipients |
| 2 | Cabinet Office / CSC | Going Forward into Employment (1) | Prison Leavers |
| 3 | Cabinet Office / CSC | Going Forward into Employment (2) | Service Leavers (RiSE) & Veterans |
| 4 | Cabinet Office / CSC | Going Forward into Employment (3) | Military Partners & Spouses |
| 5 | Department of Education (DfE) | Care Leavers | Young People who leave care |
| 6 | Public Health England (PHE) | Apprentice/Work Trial Opportunities for Young Adults from Barnardo's. | Vulnerable Young Adults |
| 7 | DEFRA | Workfit | Individuals with Down’s Symdrome |
| 8 | HMRC | Movement to Work in HMRC | Unemployed Benefit Recipients |
| 9 | Welsh Government | Support for Care Leavers | Care leavers |
| 10 | Companies House | School Apprenticeship Programme | Students who do not wish to attend university |
| 11 | Companies House | Work Experience to Work Ready | Unemployed Benefit Recipients |
| 12 | Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service | Modern Apprentice Scheme | Vulnerable young adults |
| 13 | HMRC | Autism Spectrum Employment | Neurodiverse |
| 14 | Public Health England (PHE) | Workforce | Individuals with Down’s Syndrome |
| 15 | Department of Education (DfE) | Supported Internships | Young People with complex Educational Needs |
| 16 | Cabinet Office / CSC | Going Forward into Employment (4) | Prison Leavers - probation |
| 17 | HMRC | HMRC Springboard | Alternative education provision students |
| 18 | DWP | DWP Kickstart | AO Social Mobility Scheme utilising Kickstart funding model |
| 19 | ONS | Neuro Diversity | Neurodiverse |
| 20 | DWP/GFiE (5) | Homelessness | Homeless individuals in NW (Pilot) |
| 21 | GFiE (6) | Care Leavers | Those of working age & under Local Authority care/support ready to engage in employment |
| 22 | DfE | Traineeships | 18-24 year olds, unemployed and who lack the experience to move into sustainable work or apprenticeships. |
| 23 | CSHR | Kick Start (National) | Programme to support the Kickstart scheme across government. |
| 24 | Scottish Government | Fair Start Scotland | Those of working age and could be long term unemployed or one of other key Social Mobility groups (i.e Care Leaver, Homeless, Prison Leavers etc) |
| 25 | CPS | CPS Apprenticeships | Improving Social Mobility for Young People |
| 26 | BEIS | Social Mobility Apprenticeship Programme | Unemployed people from low social mobility/socio economic backgrounds. |
| 27 | Ministry of Defence | Autistic Hiring Programme | Neurodiverse |
Supporting initiatives to boost the employability of individuals with limited life chances is one of the Commission’s strategic priorities for 2019. If you wish to gain accreditation for your programme, please complete the Exception 2 form.
