Child Sexual Exploitation Referrals Bureau (CSERB) Officer - Operations

Job summary

The CSERB is a critical national intelligence function supporting the Agency’s fight against online Child Sexual Abuse (CSA), acting as the gateway for online CSA reporting. Referrals are received from well-known electronic service providers (ESPs) such as TikTok, Facebook, Dropbox and YouTube via the National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).

The CSERB has been designated the UK reporting body under the new Online Safety Act. CSERB will receive online CSA reports from UK companies. This new capability will be integrated with current operations to enhance the Agency’s response to tackling online CSA and coordinating UK law enforcement’s response to safeguarding victims and pursuing offenders. The CSERB/Designated Reporting Body has been identified as a critical deliverable by the NCA in support of our mission to protect the public from serious and organised crime. As a proactive intelligence function the CSERB assesses online CSA reports to determine offences committed, identify risk factors and pursue serious child sex offenders. The CSERB works closely with the National Targeting Centre (NTC), Tasking and NCA Investigations Team to identify the highest harm targets that require an Agency response. Acting as the UK’s central coordination of NCMEC reports the CSERB also works closely with Forces to help protect children from sexual abuse and bring child sex offenders to account.

Job description

NCA CSE - Referrals Bureau (CSERB) Officer - A day in the life

"I'm an CSERB Officer working in the intelligence command at the National Crime Agency.

I work on a team which receives CSE related referrals, and its mission is to protect children and work with key stakeholders within law enforcement.

I deal with intelligence specifically from well-known service providers such as Tik Tok, Facebook, Snapchat and Instagram and my team is the designated lead for the UKs reporting body under the new Online Safety Act 2025. This enhances the UK’s law enforcement response to safeguard victims and pursuing offenders.

This role brings variety and a drive for public service no matter your background as we are provided with a tailored training pathway and ongoing support. No two days are the same as you will work in a fast-paced environment whilst making a difference.

One day I could be assessing a referral and another day I could be liaising with stakeholders whilst working with a range of command areas.

I use a range of sources to determine whether an offence has taken place using a variety of intelligence development techniques and working within relevant legislation.

It’s clear every day that you’re striving toward something greater that truly matters and hearing responses of our hard work really cements the hard work we do."

Please note: This role will require handling child sexual abuse and exploitation material as part of the role.

The role necessitates that on a regular basis you will view reports and assess whether the material (this includes images, media and chat) constitutes a criminal offence. Your task will be to identify the location of the child or subjects, utilising a variety of intelligence development techniques and working within relevant legislation.

The National Crime Agency (NCA) leads the UK’S fight against Serious and Organised Crime, protecting the public from the most dangerous criminals. We are committed to attracting new talent to our Team by recruiting trainees into the Agency and developing them through the intelligence pathway.

The role of an NCA CSERB officer requires no prior law enforcement experience. All successful candidates begin with the six-week CSERB Training Programme, which provides the foundational skills and knowledge required for the role.

Following this, officers may be required to join an additional Officer Development Programme (ODP) enabling them to work towards Intelligence Professionalisation Programme (IPP) accreditation. The ODP is a structured, two-year training programme, during which officers must evidence competence across a broad range of intelligence capabilities. This programme supports professional development, ensures consistent standards and prepares officers for effective intelligence work within the NCA.

During this process, comprising of formal classroom-based learning, self-directed tasks, workplace development and experiential activities you will assimilate and evidence practical, legal and professional knowledge and competence in all facets of criminal investigation and intelligence.

The National Crime Agency has high expectations – around developed competency levels and behaviour. During the programme you will receive comprehensive training into the legislation that the Agency works under. You will be required to successfully pass two exams where this knowledge will be tested. You will be given two chances to pass these exams and reasonable adjustments will be implemented where necessary. If you are unsuccessful then you will not be able to continue on the trainee programme.

Failure to complete the additional ODP programme will result in failure to achieve IPP accreditation and may result in being redeployed into an alternative role.

Duties & ResponsibilitiesOverviewMaintain Corporate Records
You will need to make sure that corporate records are maintained as to the action and casework that is undertaken.Intelligence Development TechniqueKey to the role is an enquiring mind and ability to think laterally so that the right intelligence development technique is used to identify those who exploit children.Record ManagementMaintain accurate and up to date records for management information purposes, using IT systems to record. Including carry out effective file management and ensure compliance with corporate filing/records administration and Agency policy.Collect and Analysing DataCollect and analyse and interpret data from a variety of sources including open source information and intelligence systems. View reports, assess whether material (including images, media and chat) constitutes a criminal offence. Presenting FindingsPresent findings in a clear, concise and appropriate mannerQuality AssuranceEnsure the quality, security and appropriate handling and dissemination of data and analytical products.Continuous ImprovementContinuously improve tools, processes to improve accuracy and effectiveness.Respond to QueriesMonitor Email / telephone queries received, and respond appropriately providing advice and escalate if required.Building working relationshipsEstablishing and maintaining positive relationships with both internal and external stakeholders.

Person specification

Skills, Knowledge and ExperienceDescriptionIT SkillsAbility to confidently work with Microsoft Office as well as learn other applications and programmes as required.Data AnalysisAbility to extract and interpret data/information. OrganisedAble to plan carefully, keep things tidy and work effectively.Problem SolvingUsing logic and imagination to make sense of a situation and find an intelligent solution.CommunicationConveys information clearly and effectively through written and verbal communication. Time ManagementEffectively manages time and workload and escalates issues - ensuring tasks are completed to agreed standards and timelines.Team WorkWorks effectively on own or with others to focus on and achieve joint outcomes.Relationship ManagementDevelops and maintains positive relationships with internal and/or external stakeholders in order to achieve stakeholder needs and business objectives.Enquiring MindKey to the role is an enquiring mind and ability to think laterally so that the right intelligence development technique is used to identify those who exploit children. ResilienceYou must be resilient as the nature of the material viewed can be challenging. Risk Management Able to identify and prioritise risk

Behaviours

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

• Making Effective Decisions

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £36,057, National Crime Agency contributes £10,445 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

New entrants to the NCA receive 26 days annual leave, rising to 31 on completion of 5 years continuous service, plus 8 bank holidays.

If qualifying criteria is met new joiners from UK Police Forces or the UK Intelligence Community (UKIC) will have service with those employers taken into account for continuous service purposes for annual leave entitlement only, this will be up to a maximum of 31 days leave (including 1 privilege day).

Other benefits include:

• Flexible working, including flexi-time, compressed hours and job sharing (in line with business requirements)
• Family friendly policies, notably above the statutory minimum
• Learning and Development opportunities
• Interest free loans and advances, including season tickets, childcare and rental deposits
• Housing schemes - Key Worker status
• Discounts and Savings with a wide variety of services including Cycle to Work, Smart Tech schemes, dental insurance, gym discounts and savings on everyday spending, available through the Reward Gateway , Edenred and Blue Light Card schemes.
• Staff support groups/networks
• Sports and social activities, including membership to the Civil Service Sports Council (CSSC)

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 and Experience.Your application will be assessed against the following:Experience - This will be assessed:Experience Criteria - will be assessed by 250 word examples on:

• Analysing information from a wide range of sources: Describe a time when you had to work with a range of information (for example data, records, reports or digital systems) to complete a task.

• Working at pace: Describe a time when you have overcome obstacles to meet a deadline.

• Risk identification and management: Describe a time when you identified a potential risk to your work or a service you were delivering and what steps you took to assess and manage the risk.

A panel will assess how well your application demonstrates the requirements outlined above.

Longlist

In the event of a high number of applications, we may operate a longlist. Applicants will need to meet the minimum pass mark for the lead criteria.

- Analysing information from a wide range of sources: Describe a time when you had to work with a range of information (for example data, records, reports or digital systems) to complete a task. .

Candidates who do not meet the minimum pass mark for the lead criteria will not progress to having their other criteria assessed. Applications must meet the minimum criteria to be progressed to the assessment stage.

You will receive an acknowledgement once your application is submitted.

We aim to have sift completed and scores released within 10 working days of the closing date of the advert. For high volume campaigns this timeframe may be extended.

Scores will be provided but further feedback will not be available at this stage.

For guidance on the application process, visit:
NCA Applying and Onboarding

Assessment 1

The format of this assessment will be Interview which will be tested on the criteria listed in the Success Profiles at Assessment section.

If you are successful you will be invited to the second assessment.

Assessment 2

The format of this assessment will be Aptitude assessment which will be tested on via the details listed below.

If you are successful at interview, you will be invited to a face to face assessment in Warrington where you will take an aptitude test and a substance test. It is likely that assessment centres will take place in July 2026.

Success Profiles at Assessment

Behaviours

• Making Effective Decisions

Experience

• Analysing information from a wide range of sources: Describe a time when you had to work with a range of information (for example data, records, reports or digital systems) to complete a task.

• Working at pace: Describe a time when you have overcome obstacles to meet a deadline.

• Risk identification and management: Describe a time when you identified a potential risk to your work or a service you were delivering and what steps you took to assess and manage the risk.

Assessment OutcomeOutcomes will be communicated via the NCA recruitment portal.
If successful but no role is immediately available, you may be placed on a reserve list for 12 months.
Reserve lists can be used to fill similar role types across the Agency where the assessment criteria is considered a match by the recruitment team and the business area.

In the event of a tie at the assessment stage, available roles will be offered in merit order using the following order:

1. Lead criteria (behaviours/technical/experience)
2. If still tied, desirable criteria will be assessed (if advertised)
3. If still tied, application sift scores will be used

Feedback is provided only to those who attend an assessment.You will be subject to vetting and pre-employment checks before appointment.Once the vacancy closes, the advert will no longer be accessible. Please save a copy for your records. We encourage all candidates to visit the NCA Careers Page for more information.

Vetting requirements - SC Enhanced

Prior to commencing the role, you will need to successfully complete SC Enhanced clearance. The requirement for SC clearance is to have been present in the UK for at least 3 of the last 5 years.Failure to meet the residency requirements will result in your security clearance application being rejected.For further information on National Security Vetting checks please visit the following page Demystifying VettingIndividuals will be required to undertake and pass a substance misuse test as part of pre-employment checks.

Occupational Health

Successful candidates will be expected to undertake an occupational health assessment. Depending on the role an in-person medical may be required in either London or Warrington. Unfortunately, travel costs will not be reimbursed.

Multi Location

Where multiple locations are advertised, appointments will be made in merit order for each location.

Please indicate up to three location preferences clearly. Only your first three preferences will be considered. You may be allocated to any of the locations you select. If you decline an offer for a location you have selected as a preference, a further offer may not be made.

If you choose to reject an offer and no alternative preferred location can be offered, you will not be able to return to the process or be placed on a reserve list.

Only the advertised locations are available; any additional notes added to the application will not be taken into account.

Near Miss

If you meet the criteria for a lower grade, you may be offered that role if not appointable at the advertised grade.

Conversely, if found appointable at a higher grade but no posts are available, you may be offered a lower-grade role.

All offers are made based on merit.

Hybrid Working

The NCA supports hybrid working. The extent of remote working will depend on the role and can be discussed at the offer stage.

Reasonable Adjustments

We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Leader and an inclusive, equal opportunities employer.

We’re committed to creating a workplace where everyone can be their authentic self. If you’re neurodiverse, have a disability, or live with a long-term health condition, we encourage you to let us know about any reasonable adjustments you may need during the recruitment process.

If you experience accessibility issues with the advert or require reasonable adjustments, please contact our Recruitment Team at Central.Recruitment@nca.gov.uk before the advert closing date.

Please ensure you complete the ‘Equal opportunities’ and 'Reasonable Adjustments' sections in the application form to inform us on what support you may need in the recruitment process.

For more on our Disability Confident commitment, visit Disability Confident Scheme , Civil Service Careers.

Visit NCA Benefits and Support for more details.

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

Security

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Central Recruitment Team
• Email : central.recruitment@nca.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : central.recruitment@nca.gov.uk

Further information

If you believe your application has not been treated fairly, email: Central.Recruitment@nca.gov.uk (quoting the vacancy reference).
If unresolved, you may escalate your complaint to the Civil Service Commission.