With effect from 1 April 2022, Civil Service Local is no longer in operation.
We would like to thank you for working with us over the last 11 years, whether you’ve been with us throughout our time, or just recently become involved. It has been a pleasure working in partnership with so many different civil servants across the full range of departments and agencies, and across the whole country. We look forward to working with many of you again in the future in the new roles that we will be undertaking to help build the vision of a skilled, innovative and ambitious Civil Service equipped for the future.
Civil Service Local (CS Local) was a cross-departmental team that was part of the Cabinet Office but based in locations around Scotland, England, Northern Ireland and Wales. Its purpose was to bring together departments and agencies within each locality to deliver actions and opportunities that brought the vision for a Modern Civil Service to life, and encouraged more of us to be part of it.
Some of its former functions are now being taken forward by different parts of the Cabinet Office.
Civil Service Local activity that focused on learning and development for civil servants is now delivered through the Government Skills and Curriculum Unit (GSCU).
Reform and modernisation of the Civil Service to serve our citizens more effectively is the responsibility of the Modernisation and Reform Unit. Some aspects of regional/national reform will be taken forward through the Heads of Place programme, based in the Modernisation and Reform Unit.
You may wish to visit civilservice.blog.gov.uk which offers news, events and personal stories and insights on working in and across government.
Please be aware that this blog will not be maintained or monitored, and information accessed through historical links will not be up to date.
]]>Wednesday 13 April
1pm to 2:30pm
Following on from our first Reform & Modernisation opening event for our Northwest Champions and working hard on your feedback we would like to introduce our - 'My Northwest Role' event.
The session will :
This event is open to all M&R champions regardless of grade, we just need your passion to get the Northwest moving.
Please book your ticket via Eventbrite here
If you would like any further information please email the North West Team
A real opportunity to shape our future
Heads of Place is an exciting and ambitious new initiative sponsored by Cabinet Office. Its core purpose is to join up the Civil Service presence in a place and for our partners, it will provide a more consistent and streamlined engagement with the UK Government in that place. More importantly, it is also intended to provide stronger, visible leadership for our Civil Service workforce across the UK nations.
Looking for an exciting opportunity? So what's in it for me?
Supported by our Heads of Place Directors Paul Caldwell & Jo Bradshaw along with our Northwest SCS network as champions you will understand the future vision and help develop the Northwest civil service. You will build a northwest community working across departments, drive communications and influence the priorities in the northwest. You will be involved in key agenda's including initially Places for Growth (PfG) looking at how this will be supported in the Northwest, have input to talent & career options and how will focus in on diversity & inclusion.
There will be a range of opportunities from volunteering to support one of our Modernisation and Reform projects, working with other civil servants to make things better or doing something as simple as ensuring that you’re thinking about Modernisation and Reform in your existing role.
As a Champion, you will join a community that is made up of civil servants of all grades, locations and organisations. You will be able to act as a sounding board for change initiatives and receive support for your own transformation projects. You will be exposed to the latest thinking across government and share best practice with other civil servants. You will be able to make a genuine difference to the policies locally we develop and the services we provide our citizens.
We really look forward to you getting involved! Please Sign-up here to be a reform champion and we will be in touch shortly!
A real opportunity to shape our future
Heads of Place is an exciting and ambitious new initiative sponsored by Cabinet Office. Its core purpose is to join up the Civil Service presence in a place and for our partners, it will provide a more consistent and streamlined engagement with the UK Government in that place. More importantly, it is also intended to provide stronger, visible leadership for our Civil Service workforce across the UK nations.
The Junior Leaders Networking Event (JLNE) has teamed up with the Charity for Civil Servants ( The Charity) to bring junior leaders a wellbeing day to help colleagues adapt as we return to the workplace. The sessions aim to improve personal, emotional, digital and financial wellbeing.
“At the Charity for Civil Servants we know that, for some people, poor financial wellbeing can have a detrimental effect on your physical and mental wellbeing. Join us for a talk covering the key features of financial wellbeing, including budgeting and dealing with a redundancy or loss of income, debt advice and the steps you can take to help yourself. We will also talk about our Money Advice and Guidance Service and how the charity can help.”
Session 2
“Smarter working will help junior leaders focus on making the right decisions for where, when and how we work. It helps us to optimise technology and the best use of our workplaces and spaces. By working smartly, we can appreciate a better work-life balance to support our own health and wellbeing. During the session the Charity will share tools, tips and advice to help us work smarter - helping both our personal development and wellbeing.
The Charity supports all civil servants, past and present, throughout their lives, when times are tough, listening without judgement and offering practical, financial and emotional support.
Some of you may have heard of the Charity before, but if you think you already know what they offer, you might just be surprised by the breadth and number of the services they provide. The Charity’s wide variety of services can have a positive impact on just about anyone’s situation.
The Charity are providing a half hour online presentation (followed by Q and A), which will explore their wide-ranging support services. Stress can affect every part of your life, including our finances, relationships, mental health and any caring responsibilities you may have. Their presentation covers all of these unexpected issues and how they can help you to combat them.
When: Tuesday 22 March 2022
12pm – 12.45pm Financial Wellbeing – Money and Stress:
1pm - 1.45pm Working for your Wellbeing
5pm - 5.45pm Overview of the Charity for Civil Servants
Where: Online using MS Teams
Register via Eventbrite using this link: - https://jlnewellbeingday.eventbrite.co.uk
Ensure you can attend and discuss attendance at this event with your line manager.
Next steps when booking
Register using your civil service email address only.
Joining instructions will be emailed to registered participants, a day before the event. The event will be hosted on MS Teams and the sessions are not recorded.
If having booked a ticket you are no longer able to attend, please ensure you cancel your ticket promptly, so another colleague has the opportunity to join the session.
The Junior Leaders Networking Event (JLNE) is a cross government network operating across the East, South East and London (ESEL) that connects colleagues in grades AO to EO in an environment where they learn and hear from senior leaders, network with their peers and receive tools to enhance their personal and professional development.
During the last three years, JLNE has reached and supported over 1,500 junior colleagues across 14 departments and agencies. In 2019, four successful face to face events were held across four locations within ESEL. JLNE went virtual due to the pandemic. So far, we have delivered 5 virtual events and offered 12 learning and development sessions covering Career Development, Wellbeing, Bullying, Harassment and Discrimination, Leadership, Personal Branding, Imposter Syndrome, Mentoring and Building confidence.
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The civil service in the North West is in the middle of some exciting changes. There are a number of programmes underway, with Places for Growth, the Levelling Up agenda, and Modernisation and Reform promising lots of new opportunities for colleagues.
But what are these programmes? What do they mean for your future career? And how can you be ready to take advantage of the opportunities presented by them?
CS Local North West is delighted to be working together with the North West Heads of Place Directors to present an online event for you to learn more about the civil service in our region. We are keen to build your understanding of the fantastic opportunities for talent and career development and the work underway to shape the future of the civil service.
Date: Tuesday 22 March 2022
Time: 9:00am to 5:00pm
Where: Online via MS Teams
It is open to civil servants across the North West.
Hear from speakers based in two of the largest departments in the region - HM Revenue and Customs and Department forWork and Pensions. In this session, we’ll give a high-level overview of the talent development offer in the largest departments in the region, before discussing how the skills acquired on any development programme can be transferred across roles, and help to shape your career.
In addition to ‘in-house’ development schemes offered by many departments, there are also schemes, which introduce delegates to colleagues from across departmental boundaries. These schemes provide fantastic opportunities to learn more about the wider civil service, and to develop career skills that can be useful in any role. Join this session to learn more!
The Places for Growth Programme is a new team within the Cabinet Office seeking to relocate Civil Service roles out of London, to the regions and nations of the UK. Join this session to learn more about the work underway in the NW, including a look at the range of departments based in our region, and the opportunities to shape your career.
The Heads of Place initiative aims to embed a community of Civil Servants networked across departmental boundaries. Each region will be led by senior leaders, including the Head of Place, working together to shape the future. In this session you can hear from the North West Heads of Place, and learn more about their four core objectives.
The Declaration on Government Reform outlines how the Civil Service and Ministers will reform government together, to deliver better for citizens. Join this session to learn more about the network of Modernisation and Reform Champions, spread across the North West, and how they’re helping to support the vision of a Skilled Civil Service.
The Government Skills and Curriculum Unit (GSCU) aims to ensure that all civil servants have the training, skills, and networks to perform their roles to the best of their capabilities. In this session, representatives of the GSCU will tell us about their work, including the five strands of the Curriculum and Campus for Government skills.
With all of the opportunities available - whether to progress in your current role, across departmental boundaries, or in a new profession - you may have questions about gaining access. Join this session to hear from colleagues in the Civil Service Fast Stream, and our Apprenticeship teams.
Did you know that there are 28 different recognised professions within the Civil Service? From communicators and engineers, to procurement managers and lawyers, each profession develops the capability of a group of people with particular skills, knowledge or expertise. Learn more about the range of professions, and the training available.
Visit our EventBrite page to sign up for any or all of the sessions above. Please register using your civil service work email address and ensure that you have the permission of your line manager to attend.
Please note that you must be able to access Microsoft Teams via the app or browser to join this online meeting. If you are unable to access Microsoft Teams on your work device, you may wish to join using a personal device.
If having booked a ticket for a session that you are no longer able to attend, please ensure you cancel your ticket promptly, so another colleague has the opportunity to join.
If you have any questions about the event please email cslocalnw@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
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Allyship is a key component to the gateway of exposing the power of Diversity and Inclusion. It is a continual investment to supporting others as well as being accountable.
Our learning, growth and commitment to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion, will not happen without being challenged.
Join this online event which includes speakers from across the Civil Service who will share personal journeys and commitment to pushing the boundaries for inclusivity.
Date: Tuesday 15 March 2022
Time: 10:15am to 1:30pm
Where: Online via MS Teams
10:15 am to 10:30 am – Introduction by CS Local
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/269505106027
10:30 am to 11:00 am – Social Mobility with guest speaker Aaron Rashad from The Health and Safety Executive.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/269507282537
11:00 am to 11:30 am – RISE with guest speaker Claire Medhurst from HM Courts and Tribunal Service.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/269507673707
11:30 am to 12:00 pm – Mentoring and Sponsorship with guest speaker Sharon O’Shaughnessy from the Home Office.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/269508526257
12:00 pm to 12:30 pm – Autism with guest speaker Jane Culkin from HM Revenue and Customs.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/269509047817
12:30 pm – 13:30 pm – a:gender with guest speaker Emma Dunn from HM Land Registry.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/269509739887
You need to register for the Introduction by CS Local session and then you can attend as many events as you wish after that. More information about each session can be found by clicking on the respective eventbrite links. Please register using your civil service work email address. Please discuss this event with your line manager ensuring you have their permission to attend. The events are all being held via MS Teams and you will need to access this via Eventbrite on the day.
Please note that you must be able to access Microsoft Teams. If you are unable to access Microsoft Teams on your work device, you may wish to join using a personal device. If having booked a ticket for a session that you are no longer able to attend, please ensure you cancel your ticket promptly, so another colleague has the opportunity to join.
Remember; Diversity is having a seat at the table; inclusion is having a voice and belonging is having that voice heard.
If you have any questions about the event, please contact: Cara.Oladeji@homeoffice.gov.uk or sheri.balogun@justice.gov.uk
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Imposter syndrome is the name given to the debilitating feelings of self-doubt that many people experience at work, which causes them to feel like they’re not good enough to carry out their role, or that they’re not worthy of a promotion.
The East, South East and London Cross-Government Social Mobility Network, working with Civil Service Local, are hosting a session to raise awareness around imposter syndrome and how this impacts those from lower socio-economic backgrounds.
This event takes place on 4 March 2022 and is aimed at civil servants from all departments and at any grade within the East, South East and London region.
During this session, Leah Clarkson and Hannah O’Sullivan will start by talking about what imposter syndrome is, tips for overcoming it, and the role organisations play in this. Andy Mills, Director and Social Mobility champion at the Ministry of Justice will then share his personal journey to SCS, particularly about ‘Imposter Syndrome’, his own experiences, and how he manages conversations at senior level. There will also be an opportunity for questions at the end of the session.
Date: Friday 4 March 2022
Time: 11.00 am to 12 midday
Where: Online via MS Teams
Registration link: EventBrite - Imposter Syndrome Tickets
Please use your work email address to register on Eventbrite, and discuss attendance at this event with your line manager.
Please note that you must be able to access Microsoft Teams via the app or browser to join this online event. If you are unable to access Microsoft Teams on your work device, you may wish to join using a personal device. All links will be sent at least 24 hours prior to the event.
If having booked a ticket you are no longer able to attend, please ensure you cancel your ticket promptly, so another colleague has the opportunity to join the session.
This session will be recorded. If you are unable to attend and would like a recording of the event, then please email Parvin.minhas2@homeoffice.gov.uk
]]>As part of the Interreg funded Preventing Plastic Pollution project the Environment Agency’s Plastics and Sustainability team are working to reduce the amount of avoidable plastic used by sports events, clubs, participants and venues.
Join the Plastics and Sustainability Team to discuss how sports venues, events, community clubs and participants can reduce their avoidable plastic and carbon footprint.
The webinar will consist of a 40 minute presentation and 20 minutes for questions. To make the Webinar interactive slido will be used so please have a phone handy to log on and participate.
Webinar attendees from the South Coast (Cornwall to Norfolk) will be offered the opportunity to trial equipment to help them reduce avoidable plastic when training and taking part in events.
If you have any questions please email plasticsandsustainability@environment-agency.gov.uk
During 2021 some of you may have got involved in, or heard about, a project called Apprentice Connections, which aimed to link apprentices across the South West. This included events, newsletters and coffee mornings, which were shared between Civil Service departments in the South West. The project reached multiple departments, started conversations, and demonstrated the appetite among apprentices to network, swap hints, and to discover more about different government roles and departments.
Following really positive feedback from this project, we are excited to announce that a South West Apprentice Network is going to be launched on an ongoing basis.
The network will be led by apprentices across departments, to provide connections and links, build capabilities and give new opportunities. This is a new adventure to strengthen our Brilliant Civil Service culture, where we work and live, and to link with similar networks around the country.
We are also really happy to have the ringing endorsement of Mike Greatwich, Head of Place for Civil Service South West, and to be working with Scott Murray, the Civil Service South West Talent Champion.
"Hi everyone, I’m Mike Greatwich, the Civil Service Head of Place for the South West – my other job is as a Commercial Function Director in the Ministry of Defence. A big part of the Head of Place role is to build a collaborative and connected Civil Service community and to improve career and talent development to ensure the Civil Service better reflects the community that it serves. Unsurprisingly I am completely supportive of the South West Apprentice Network and really pleased to see it take off. With your involvement and drive I’m confident it’s going to make a real difference for all apprentices across the region.
More personally, I’ll share with you that one of the first things I did when I joined the Civil Service, way back in the 80s, was to do a workshops apprentice course – literally making things out of blocks of metal but making mistakes (lots!), learning, listening, and improving. I am still in contact with friends I made way back then as I trained to be an engineer. The network of people, advice and support apprenticeship gave me was just a brilliant way to help me choose the career that I wanted and understand what I was good at and enjoyed. As great as that was it was just in one Department so now image the extra breadth, buzz and opportunities that will come to you from being part of the SWAN and the diversity of people, ideas and interests it will help you find. This is one of life’s opportunities. Grab hold with both hands!"
The work to create the new South West Apprentice network, and to really build up connections, is just getting started – and that is where you come in! Read on below about how get involved in the network – whether you are a current or past apprentice, a manager or coach, or just want to support apprentices in your area. To get involved, the main thing you need is enthusiasm! You should have a desire to collaborate, communicate and build strong relationships, and to see the bigger picture of how the network will fit into wider Civil Service objectives. If you can’t get involved now, there will be information to come about what the network is doing, and about any additional ways to get involved.
Are you a current or past Civil Service apprentice? We need YOU to get involved in building up this network and taking it forward.
This is a great opportunity to get insight into different departments, to build up your experience, and to take up new opportunities. We’re looking for people to join a network steering group to:
We envisage you spending between 1-2 days per month on this work, and hope to hold our first proper meeting of the steering group in March.
Outside of the steering group there will be scope to get involved on a more ad-hoc basis, to share your own experiences, to tell people about your department, or something else.
If you’re interested in getting involved in running or contributing to the network, just fill in this form.
We will be in touch about next steps and to provide more information. If there is a lot of interest, we will put a formal application process into place, but for now we’re simply looking for people interested in getting involved. If you have any issues with the form, contact cslocalsouthwest@cabinetoffice.gov.uk to get in touch with the team.
Are you involved with apprentices in your department as a manager, coach or any other role? Or are you generally interested in supporting apprentices in your department and beyond? We want to hear from you too! Please tell your teams about this work, and encourage them to consider applying to join the network team.
Please fill in this form (or contact cslocalsouthwest@cabinetoffice.gov.uk if the form doesn’t work for you) to get in touch. Let us know about your role, anything you could offer or would like to see from a network, and how we can best keep in touch with you going forward.