Government Social Research
The process of applying for any Fast Stream In-Service scheme requires commitment and determination.
There will be several distinct stages in the process of applying for the 2008 GSR Fast Stream In-Service scheme.
Stage One is organised and run entirely by departments/devolved administrations and by the Government Social Research Unit (GSRU) on behalf of GSR as a whole.
Applicants should read all the information published about the scheme carefully and discuss their interest in applying with their line manager and/or Head of Profession (HoP).
All applications from a given department or devolved administration must be approved by the applicant’s line manager and Head of Profession.
Applications take the form of a simple nomination form for an applicant to complete, with spaces for the applicant, their line manager and Head of Profession to sign the nomination agreement. Guidance on how to complete the form is on the form itself.
All completed nomination forms must be received by post by 12 noon on Monday 14 April 2008 to the following address:
GSR Fast Stream applications 2008
Government Social Research Unit
HM Treasury
Room G/38
1 Horse Guards Road
London
SW1A 2HQ
Applicants will be invited to the half-day Social Research Assessment Centre (SRAC) between 19 - 30 June 2008. SRAC will focus mainly on assessing social research professional expertise.
Standard of social research skill that will be assessed at SRAC (PDF, 3.3KB)
SRAC will be held at 67 Tufton Street, London, SW1P 3QS.
A SRAC familiarisation session will be held on 16 May 2008 at HM Treasury for candidates to learn more about the exercises they will have to complete and to advise them on how to prepare. A comprehensive candidate guidance booklet will also be issued.
All candidates will receive feedback on their performance at SRAC. Applicants who pass SRAC will move on to the next stage of the process.
After SRAC, applicants will be invited to attend a programme of practice and preparation called Plan-Develop-Review (PDR) which will focus on preparing for the Fast Stream Assessment Centre (FSAC). There are 6 competencies assessed at FSAC:
For more information about these competencies, see the Fast Stream website.
The opportunities for practice and preparation will take place between July and October and full details will be communicated to applicants nearer the time.
This stage is run by the Civil Service Fast Stream Team and all activities take place at their London assessment accommodation at 67 Tufton Street. This comprises a ½-day e-tray assessment, an assessment centre familiarisation session, and the one-day Fast Stream Assessment Centre (FSAC) itself which will be held around October-November. Comprehensive guidance on every aspect of this process will be provided to FSAC candidates by the Fast Stream team, as well as feedback on performance.
Successful candidates will then arrange their first GSR Fast Stream posting with their Head of Profession.
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