Apprentice Fraud Investigator – Home Counties

Job summary

Do you have an inquisitive mind? Do you enjoy engaging with customers? If so, we need you!

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is responsible for welfare, pensions and child maintenance policy and is responsible for helping people move into employment, supporting pensioners and protecting some of the most vulnerable in our society. Counter Fraud Compliance and Debt’s (CFCD) aim is to drive down the level of fraud, error and debt within the benefit system, to protect the public purse.

As part of CFCD you will be at the heart of DWP’s efforts to reduce fraud and error in the benefit system. This is a hugely important public service, and our challenge is bigger than ever.

If you want to join somewhere that recognises the importance of work-life balance, where you can learn new skills and progress your career, then CFCD is the place for you.

Job description

As a Fraud Investigator, your work will change based on business needs, so adaptability and flexibility are essential.

Key Responsibilities:

• Request necessary evidence from designated sources using Authorised Officer powers and the Operational Intelligence Service.
• Collaborate with other departments and organisations like Local Authorities, Police and HMRC within the framework of any existing partnership agreements.
• Research and gather information for investigations, ensuring it meets legal standards.
• Complete Requests for Information (RFIs) as needed.
• Record, retain, and review collected materials for criminal investigations for Disclosure purposes.
• Recommend next steps for action to Team Leaders for consideration.
• Conduct Interviews under Caution as per legal guidelines under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (England and Wales) and Common Law (Scotland).
• Prepare prosecution cases following Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and National File Standard guidance (England & Wales) and in line with Crown Office & Procurator Fiscal Service guidance in (Scotland).
• Attend court and give evidence in criminal cases and appeal tribunals.
• Maintain quality standards by following DWP policies and procedures, and CFCD operational instructions.
• Work effectively within a team and contribute to team goals.
• Promote fraud awareness within DWP and to external partners.
• Communicate confidently and professionally with internal staff and external agencies.

Person specification

As a Fraud Investigator you will:

• Show effective leadership and communication skills to engage with diverse audiences and partners.
• Have excellent organisation and planning skills.
• Use strong judgement and decision-making abilities.
• Present information professionally to both internal and external audiences.
• Work well both alone and in a team.
• Handle challenging and vulnerable individuals appropriately.
• Inspire others with positivity, drive, and energy to achieve goals and implement change.
• Be willing to travel between sites as needed.
• Adapt to a demanding and changing environment.
• Exhibit honesty, integrity, and probity.
• Possess excellent writing and drafting skills.

Learning requirements

The DWP is committed to investing in people and developing a professional workforce. It is a requirement for people working within DWP counter fraud to attain, and retain, membership of the Government Counter Fraud Profession (GCFP) at Practitioner level.

Successful candidatesmust be willing to attain the mandatory Level 4 Investigator apprenticeship CFIA (Counter Fraud Investigator Apprenticeship), required to undertake the technical functions of the role which is expected to last 24 months. Please note that any required training is full time and will require occasional travel to Haynes. During your apprenticeship you will be asked to produce a portfolio of work demonstrating your learning and use of different investigation tools and techniques which may include:

• Understanding legislation and associated code of practice

• How to undertake interviews under caution, including conversation management

• Maintaining case files and producing investigation plans.

You will be given time out from your role to work on your apprenticeship. You must be committed to seeing through the apprenticeship and completing the qualification within the appropriate time period.

You will be supported by your line manager, academy team, skills tutor, fellow apprentices, DWP and CFCD Apprenticeship Teams and the Government Counter Fraud Profession team within CFCD. You will have access to a variety of sources of encouragement to help you succeed. There is a lot to learn and do, so you need to be proactive, work hard and participate in the many opportunities you will be given to showcase your skills.

Please Note - Successful appointments to this role will be subject to completion of the apprenticeship programme. Failure to comply or failure to achieve the required apprenticeship may be dealt with under disciplinary or poor performance procedures and may lead to termination of the employment contract or exceptionally, redeployment into another DWP role.

The apprenticeship for the Apprentice Fraud Investigator role is designed to work towards achieving Category C Investigator practitioner level membership of the Government Counter Fraud Profession (GCFP). On achievement of the apprenticeship, you will be required to complete an annual self-assessment to evidence your knowledge, skills, and experience.

Further information on the Investigations apprenticeship CFIA (Counter Fraud Investigations Apprenticeship) can be found here Counter fraud investigator / Skills England

Eligibility Criteria:

To be eligible for this appointment and the apprenticeship funding, there are a number of eligibility criteria set out by the ESFA. Full details can be found at Apprenticeship funding rules - GOV.UK. Candidates should ensure that they can meet these before applying. Some key points are listed below:

• Have the right to live and work in the UK valid for the full 24-month duration of the apprenticeship and associated learning journey.
• Must have lived in the UK and/or EEA for 3 years prior to apprenticeship start date or hold some form of exemption see ESFA funding rules Annex A
• Not be in full-time education or be already undertaking another apprenticeship by the apprenticeship start date. If you are 16 or 17 you are required to stay in full time education or training until you are 18 – commencing this apprenticeship will allow you to meet this requirement.
• You must not hold an existing qualification at the same or higher level in a similar subject to the apprenticeship. A qualification in a non-related subject would be acceptable.
• You must not already have significant previous work experience covering the knowledge, skills and behaviours demonstrated in the apprenticeship standard. If you have already worked as a fraud investigator in a similar field, you should consider applying for other vacancies that do not require you to complete the apprenticeship, as too much relevant experience will make you ineligible and we would need to withdraw the offer in these circumstances.
• Apprentices aged 16 to 18 at the start of their apprenticeship that do not already hold a relevant English and Maths qualification will still be required to complete the appropriate functional skills qualifications to pass their apprenticeship.
• Adult learners over the age of 19 who still wish to work towards a Level 2 Functional Skills qualification voluntarily can draw upon Government funding to do so, either during their apprenticeship, or through a separate standalone qualification at another time.
• Please list your qualifications in the qualification section. Failure to meet any of the eligibility criteria or not listing your qualifications may result in you being withdrawn.

In applying you will have indicated that you have read and fully understood the professional requirements for this Counter Fraud Investigator role.

Candidate Integrity Declaration

Candidates who are successful will be asked about the following before we offer them a position.

Candidates must declare to the best of their knowledge:

• Any disciplinary finding of guilt / failure to meet the appropriate standard of conduct relating to their employment they have ever had.
• Any charge of a disciplinary offence / notification of a failure to meet the appropriate standards they have ever had where the case has not yet been concluded.
• Any past convictions, criminal findings, or police cautions, regardless of whether they are ‘spent’, they have ever had.

The disclosure of this information will not automatically disbar the candidate from this role but we need to be aware of any event or issue which could impinge on the candidate’s credibility if questioned in court.

Travel Requirements - you will be required to attend:

• Travel for occasional face to face apprenticeship training in Haynes
• Briefings and operational planning with external stakeholders such as Police, Lawyers, Barristers.
• Interviews under Caution.
• Attendance at Court as required.
• Business and private addresses to obtain witness statements.

Successful candidates will need to be able to travel, retrieve evidence and be available at short notice. Due to the nature of the role this could be at any location nationally and during unsociable hours (both night/day and weekends). A departmental vehicle OR hire car may be made available if you hold a full UK driving licence.

Webinar Event

We will be holding a webinar event to let you know more about these roles. This will take place on the following date: Monday 2 February at 12:30

445053 Apprentice Fraud Investigator 02 February 2026 12.30

If you would like to join the event, please click on the link above and complete your details to register interest. You will then be automatically enrolled onto the webinar and can access the event on the day via the link sent to your email address.

If you attend a webinar for this role, you may be sent a survey afterwards to help us improve our service.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Making Effective Decisions
• Managing a Quality Service
• Working Together

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £32,137, Department for Work and Pensions contributes £9,310 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

DWP have a broad benefits package built around your work-life balance which includes:

• Working patterns to support work/life balance such as job sharing, term-time working, flexi-time and compressed hours.
• Generous annual leave – at least 23 days on entry, increasing up to 30 days over time (pro–rata for part time employees), plus 9 days public and privilege leave.
• Support for financial wellbeing, including interest-free season ticket loans for travel, a cycle to work scheme and an employee discount scheme.
• Health and wellbeing support including our Employee Assistance Programme for specialist advice and counselling and the opportunity to join HASSRA a first-class programme of competitions, activities and benefits for its members (subscription payable monthly).
• Family friendly policies including enhanced maternity and shared parental leave pay after 1 year’s continuous service.
• Funded learning and development to support progress in your role and career. This includes industry recognised qualifications and accreditations, coaching, mentoring and talent development programmes.
• An inclusive and diverse environment with opportunities to join professional and interpersonal networks including Women’s Network, National Race Network, National Disability Network (THRIVE) and many more.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Ability and Experience.

Your application will consist of six stages:

Stage 1 - Application Form

Please complete the first stage short application form.

Stage 2 – Tests

After you submit the first stage of your application, you will be invited to take a Civil Service Numerical Test. If you successfully pass this, you will be invited to take the Civil Service Verbal Test. If you successfully pass both tests, you will be invited to complete a personal statement as detailed in stage 3.

Please complete the online tests as soon as possible (within 24-48 hours is recommended). The deadline for the tests and written application is 23:55pm on 10th February 2026. Please allow sufficient time to complete the online tests and your full written application before the deadline. Failing to complete the test before the deadline will result in withdrawal of your application. Guidance will be provided when you are invited. The tests are online and accessed via the CS Jobs website.

*IMPORTANT: After the test deadline, we will look at all applicant scores to decide what the job’s pass mark will be. We will consider the impact on protected groups and the number of invitations to the next stage. We may decide to raise the pass mark for the job - if so, you will be informed, and you will be told if you have passed or failed at the raised standard. Meeting the minimum test requirements for a job level is no guarantee of an invite to continue the selection process.

Stage 3 – Written Application and Sift

Following successful completion of the tests, you will be asked to submit a personal statement (maximum 750 words) detailing your relevant skills and experience.

You should address the following when constructing your personal statement.

• Explain how you would plan and prepare to conduct a challenging interview to determine the accuracy of information gathered (Lead Question).

• Please tell us why you would like to undertake the role of Counter Fraud Investigator Apprentice.

• Describe your commitment and passion for learning.

Please consider the job description and person specification when providing your evidence.

Your personal statement should show how your skills and/or experience meet the requirements listed. You can use any format you like: narrative, bullet points, etc. You can use one example to cover all the requirements. Focus on what you have done or would do, and the skills and experience you used or would use. Tell us why you are suited for this role, what skills you have, and any relevant life experiences or passions.

If you don't have work-related examples, you can use examples from school, college, clubs, volunteering, or other activities.

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the lead question. If so, we will sift on:

• Explain how you would plan and prepare to conduct a challenging interview to determine the accuracy of information gathered (Lead question).

Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to the eligibility check.

**Please note the closing date for your online tests and full application is 23:55 on 10/02/2026**

The sift is scheduled to be held from 16/02/2026 to 27/02/2026. These dates may be subject to change.

Stage 4 – Apprenticeship Eligibility and Skills Check

Candidates who reach the required pass mark at sift will have their details passed to our external apprenticeship provider Intelligencia for an apprenticeship eligibility check.

Intelligencia will contact each candidate and undertake a check of the following.

• Qualifications

• Eligibility

• Functional Skills (if required)

• Skills Scan

The Eligibility and Skills check is scheduled to be held from 09/03/2026 to 21/03/2026. These dates may be subject to change.

Please ensure you engage with Intelligencia to enable this check to take place as failure to do so may result us being unable to progress your application.

Stage 5 - Interview

If you pass the written application sift with the required score and you are eligible for an apprenticeship with DWP following the provider check, you will be invited to a blended interview. You will receive an electronic notification to your Civil Service Jobs account.

The interviews will be conducted face-to-face. Where possible the interviews will take place at the locations listed in the Candidate Pack (slide 2), however candidates may be expected to travel to an alternative location as required. If you require any reasonable adjustments to attend a face-to-face interview, please ensure you state those on your application form when asked to do so.

Interviews are scheduled to take place from 30/03/2026 to 17/04/2026, please note that these dates are only indicative at this stage and could be subject to change. Interviews will be scheduled Monday to Friday, between 09:00 to 17:00.

Communications will be electronic and/or by telephone therefore it is important that you check your Civil Service Jobs account regularly, as well as your spam/junk email folder. Telephone calls may show as a withheld number, it is important that you answer so that your interview can be confirmed.

Preparing for the interview

The interview will take approximately 40 minutes where you will be asked a mixture of behaviour and strength-based questions. A blended interview aims to be more of a conversation offering a more inclusive approach. The behaviour and strength-based questioning explore what you, the candidate, can and have done, but also your potential.

If you do not have work-based examples then please give examples from school/college, clubs, volunteering or other activities you have been involved in.

Behaviours

You will be assessed against the Civil Service Behaviours listed above at level 2.

An example of a behavioural question would be “Tell me about a time when you have had to deal with a difficult customer.”

It may help to use one or more examples of a piece of work you have completed or a situation you have been in and use the WHO or STAR model to explain:

WHO - What it was? How you approached the work/situation? What the Outcomes were, what did you achieve? or

STAR - What was the ituation? What were the Tasks? What Action did you take? What were the Results of your actions?

Strengths

It is difficult to prepare for strength type questions. However, you can think through your answers, focus on your achievements and aspects you enjoy and decide how these can be applied in the organisation and role.

While strengths questions are shorter and we do not expect a full STAR response, the panel is interested in your first reaction to the question and information or reasoning to support this.

If you withdraw your application at any stage, it will not be progressed any further.

Stage 6 – Offer

Once all interviews have been completed, you will be notified of the outcome by email.

Successful candidates will be posted in strict merit order based on their location preferences and the geographical requirements of the business. Dependent on their position on the merit list, if none of their location preferences remain at the point we make a job offer, DWP may offer a role at an alternative advertised location. If we are unable to offer a role in any of the preferred locations, and candidates are unable to accept a role at an alternative advertised location, we will add them to the reserve list.

The successful candidates will be notified of a start date following successful pre-employment and security checks, which is likely to be during June 2026. Please ensure that you are available to start in these months.

Important information

Visas

Please note that these vacancies are not currently eligible for new applications for Visa Sponsorship on the Skilled Worker route, for any candidates who do not currently have permission to be in the UK as a Skilled Worker where they were sponsored before 4 April 2024, even if relying on tradeable points (including the new entrant tradeable points option) as they do not satisfy the minimum salary hourly rate requirement. This information is offered as guidance only, and we recommend that applicants seek specialist advice on their eligibility for Visa Sponsorship (if applicable) when considering whether to apply for any role.

Candidate pack

It is important that you take time to read the candidate pack which can be found at the bottom of this job advert. This provides further information about the role and working in DWP.

Location

Please see slide 2 of the Candidate Pack for the full address for these posts/locations.

You should only apply for suitable posts where you can travel to and from your home office location daily within a reasonable time. Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas. Relocation costs will not be reimbursed.

Hybrid working

This role may be suitable for hybrid working, which is where an employee works part of the week in their DWP office and part of the week from home. This is a voluntary, non-contractual arrangement and your office will be your contractual place of work. If a hybrid working arrangement is suitable for the role and for you, you will normally be required to spend a minimum of 60% of your contracted working hours from your DWP office. If you have a disability, caring responsibilities, or other circumstances that may affect your ability to meet the minimum office attendance requirement, please discuss this with us using the contact details in this advert. Hybrid working will not commence until any training and consolidation period has been successfully completed.

Working pattern

Part-time, part-year, term-time, compressed hours and job-sharing working patterns within working hours will be considered but must meet business needs. We will do our best to let people with existing part time contracts retain their contracted hours provided they are in line with current business needs. Please note that successful candidates with agreed alternative working patterns will be required to work full time for specific periods to complete all training and consolidation.

Hours of work

The full-time working week in DWP is 37 hours. You may be required to work at any time between the hours of:

• 7:45am and 8:00pm on any day between Monday to Friday, and

• 8:45am to 5:00pm on Saturday.

Managers will agree working patterns with successful applicants within these business hours and review these as appropriate. You will be given advance notice of your personal schedule. However,Investigation duties may require you to work outside of normal hours. The hours worked can be unsociable. Whilst we are proactive in planning our work, the nature of the role may require us on occasions to react quickly and work beyond the hours above.

Further information

Learning and development

DWP takes development seriously. Our aim is for our colleagues in these roles to be appropriately skilled and qualified – as determined by the business. To support this aim you are required to complete an apprenticeship, which will support you in further developing your professional knowledge and skills for this role and your future career development. The qualification can be undertaken in work time. You agree to take this job on the basis that you will be required to undertake a work-based qualification; your failure to participate fully in the professional programme, once appointed, will be a breach of your employment contract.

If DWP decides that it is no longer a requirement for you to undertake and attain a work-based qualification, it will release you from this obligation. Any decision to release you from this obligation will not be a breach of contract by DWP.

Important

If you hold a level 3 qualification (2 A levels or equivalent) then please bring your certificates with you to the interview if you have them.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Diversity and Inclusion

At the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) we value diversity and inclusion and actively encourage and welcome applications from everyone, including those that are underrepresented in our workforce.

Find out more about working for DWP on the DWP Careers Hub.

Reserve List

A reserve list may be held for a period of 3 months from which further appointments can be made.

If you are placed on a reserve list but we cannot immediately offer you a post, please note:

Please note:

• If you are later offered the role you applied for, in a location you have expressed a preference for, and you decline the offer or are unable to take up post within a reasonable timeframe you will be withdrawn from the campaign and removed from the reserve list, other than in exceptional circumstances (e.g. a contractual part time working pattern cannot be accommodated in the initial role offered or in the case of serious ill health).

• If we make an offer of an alternative role or location to that which you originally applied for, and you decline that offer, you will be able to remain on the reserve list.

Disability Confident Scheme

If high application volumes are received, the benchmark for candidates to proceed to the next stage may be raised. In line with our commitment to the Disability Confident Scheme (DCS), we aim to advance all candidates applying under the DCS who meet the minimum standard. However, we may only progress those candidates who best meet the required standards.

Reasonable Adjustments

We consider visible and non-visible disabilities, neurodiversity or learning differences, chronic medical conditions, or mental ill health. Examples include dyslexia, epilepsy, autism, chronic fatigue, or schizophrenia.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should contact the Government Recruitment Service via DWPRecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Complete the “Reasonable Adjustments” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

Disclosure and Barring Service and Internal Fraud Database Checks

To process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf.

However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment. A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal