HMICFRS Associate proofreader

Job summary

Location

These roles are advertised nationally and are home based.

Available roles

We are only recruiting for the role of Associate proof-reader.

Associate proof-readers work on short-term engagements. They use their editorial knowledge to make sure our reports are clear, concise and meet our house style.

Job description

Eligibility

You are eligible to apply if you have never previously been appointed to the HMICFRS Associate Scheme. Previous unsuccessful applicants may apply again.

You are also eligible if you have previously worked as an Associate, completed your first or second term, and have been off the Scheme for at least 12 months.

The anticipated start date is 30 November 2026. Therefore, previous Associates must have left the Scheme before 15 November 2025.

Please note the anticipated start date is indicative and represents the earliest possible date in which individuals can join the scheme.

If applicable, it is your responsibility to make sure you have served the required 12-month break between the date you finished your term on the Scheme and your start date joining the Scheme again.

If you are unsure on eligibility, please contact recruitment@hmicfrs.gov.uk.

In addition, if you currently work for HMICFRS or have previously worked for us as a secondee, you must have a minimum break of two weeks between leaving HMICFRS and starting as an Associate.

If you currently work for HMICFRS or have previously worked for us as a permanent member of staff or on a fixed-term appointment (FTA) in a role with similar duties, you must have a minimum break of three months between leaving HMICFRS and starting as an Associate.

If, however you currently work for HMICFRS or have previously worked for us as a permanent member of staff or on a FTA in a role that involves different duties, a minimum break of 6 weeks is required.

Conflicts of interests

As part of our pre-employment checks, we will conduct a Conflict of Interest (COI) review. Our aim in collecting COI information is to ensure transparency and to manage any perceived, potential, or actual conflicts fairly and proportionately.

Declaring a conflict does not mean you will be excluded from joining the Associate Scheme. Instead, it allows us to apply appropriate mitigations, so that you can contribute effectively while maintaining the integrity of our inspections.

Please note the following criteria on eligibility for joining the Associate Scheme:

• If you are a current police officer (irrespective of full time or part time), you are not eligible to join the Associate Scheme.
• If you are employed full time in any capacity, including within a police force, a fire and rescue service, or any of our inspected sectors, you are eligible to apply, however, your eligibility will be considered on a case-by-case basis as part of our COI process.

If you are working in any of the following your eligibility will be considered on a case-by-case basis as part of our COI process:

• Special Constables or on-call firefighters.
• Part time in a police or fire staff role, part time firefighter, or part time in any of our inspected sectors.
• In a consultancy capacity within any of our inspected sectors.

If it is determined that you are not deployable due to identified actual or perceived conflicts, your application will be withdrawn.

In line with the Home Office multiple assignment policy, you cannot hold two Home Office contracts. Therefore, if you are successful but already hold a Home Office contract, you cannot join the Associate Scheme. You will need to decide whether to withdraw your application for the Associate Scheme or cease your current Home Office employment.

Please be aware that we reserve the right to withdraw your application at any stage of the recruitment process if it is determined that you do not meet the eligibility criteria outlined in this advert.By submitting your application, you confirm that you understand all details set out in this advert.

Our Associate Scheme

While on engagement with HMICFRS, Associates are classed as “workers”, not employees or Civil Servants. If you are successful, you will be added to the Associate Scheme for a period of up to 24 months.

An engagement is an agreement between HMICFRS and the Associate that requires the Associate to perform the role personally.

While we endeavour to make sure Associates are offered engagements while on the Scheme, there is no guarantee of receiving an offer of engagement as a worker in HMICFRS.

During your time on the Scheme, you may be allocated short-term engagements for inspection or other project-based work. The engagement you will be offered depends on business need, skillset and/or level of role and leadership required.

The agreement sets out the terms and conditions upon which the Associate is required to carry out duties, and specifies the responsibilities, timing, duration and remuneration for the work to be carried out.

Being placed on the Associate Scheme is not a guarantee of receiving an offer of engagement as a worker in HMICFRS.

HMICFRS reserve the right to withdraw you from the Associate Scheme at any point.

Responsibilities

The main responsibilities of the Associate proof-reader include:

• Correcting spelling, grammar, punctuation and syntax errors.

• Working to the HMICFRS style guide and following plain language principles.

• Checking that hyperlinks direct the reader to the correct webpage.

• Sharing professional editorial expertise.

As well as the responsibilities listed above, you will be expected to act as an ambassador for HMICFRS, demonstrating the organisation’s standards and values at all times.

You will also work collaboratively with colleagues across the organisation to support and promote HMICFRS’s objectives and purpose.

Person specification

Essential criteria

All applicants for the Associate proof-reader role are expected to have the following skills and experience:

• Knowledge of plain language principles;
• Professional proofreading experience;
• Exemplary knowledge of English spelling, grammar, punctation and syntax;
• Exceptional attention to detail;
• Strong communication and teamworking skills;
• The ability to work to a style guide;
• The ability to quickly understand a range of subjects; and
• The ability to work quickly and reliably under pressure, without compromising accuracy.

Behaviours

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

• Working Together
• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace

Technical skills

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

• Communications – Implementation: Core.

Benefits

Learning tailored to your role

We will make sure you are briefed on what you need to know when joining the Scheme. Associates are, however, not eligible to complete any general learning and development offered to Home Office employees.

An environment with flexible working options

We promote flexible working that balances professional and personal commitments. We support virtual and smart working, making best use of our technology and building collaborative working models to help all at HMICFRS to work in a ‘hybrid’ way.

A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity

The diversity of our people is a real asset to HMICFRS. We are committed to creating a welcoming, inclusive workplace where all our people can bring their whole selves to work and perform at their best. We particularly welcome applications from candidates from ethnic minority groups and people with disabilities, as they are currently under-represented within the Associate Scheme.

BRAVO

Associates are not eligible for employee benefits.

Pension

The Associate HMICFRS role is eligible for Auto-Enrolment (AE) in the (NEST) pension scheme. For details, please refer to the attached document. Please note, should you be successfully appointed to this role, if for reasons of Lifetime Allowance (LTA) limits, or anything else, you do not wish to join an AE pension scheme, you must provide proof of this to the Home Office Reward Team rteam@homeoffice.gov.uk. Examples of reasonable evidence include a copy of the Individual Protection certificate or documentation from a pension provider that states the LTA percentage a member has reached.

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, Experience and Technical skills.

As part of the application process, you will be asked to submit a CV and personal statement (max word limit 1,250).

Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

Please note your CV will not be scored but will be used for background information.

Sift

The first stage of the sift will be carried out on the eligibility to join the Scheme.

If you do not meet the eligibility criteria your application will not progress any further.

The second stage of the sift will be carried out on your personal statement where we will assess the following:

• Evidence of the essential criteria listed.

Written test

If you are successful at sift stage, you will be invited to complete a written test, further details of which will be shared with successful candidates.

Interview

Those who pass the test with then be invited to attend an interview, where we will use experience-based questions to assess you against the behaviours listed in the job advert.

If you are successful at interview, you will receive a provisional offer to join the Associate Scheme, which will be subject to successful completion of mandatory checks, associated with joining the Scheme. This is not an offer of employment.

We will endeavour to complete the selection process in line with the dates indicated below, but we cannot guarantee that these will not, where necessary, be revised.

Sift dates

Sift dates: From 22 April 2026 – w/c 27 April 2026

Assessment dates

Assessment dates: w/c: 18 May 2026

Interview dates

Interview dates via Microsoft Teams: w/c 22 June 2026 – w/c 29 June 2026

Further information

Full details of the technical skill area being assessed can be found here: Competency Framework - technical specifications - GCS

HMICFRS reserves the right to remove an Associate from the Scheme at any point before the end of a 24-month registration period. The Associate Scheme is regularly reviewed in line with HMICFRS business need so that the available skills and experience it provides remain focused on our priorities.

A laptop will be provided as standard kit. If additional equipment or adjustments are required due to a disability or health concern, HMICFRS will assess whether the requirement is reasonable and accommodate arising adjustments where possible.

Each case will be assessed individually to make sure all reasonable adjustments are put in place.

Associates may also apply for additional support through the Access to Work Scheme. Successful candidates who share health data during the recruitment stage should note that this will be shared during the onboarding phase with the Associate team who manage the Scheme and act as the administrative line managers for all Associates. Should you receive an engagement contract, your health data will also be shared with the contract manager.

Due to business requirements, this role is only available as home-based/flexible working. Reasonable adjustments for in-person engagements will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Upon joining the Scheme, it is your responsibility to take the necessary actions to ensure your security clearance remains valid. Clearances are valid for six months from the date of issue and require you to undertake an engagement during this time in order to stay active. If you do not take the required action within this six-month period, your clearance will lapse, and you will be removed from the Scheme.

Clearance at CTC level is required for this role. If you already hold a higher level of clearance with the Home Office, this may be transferred across. However, higher-level clearances obtained through external agencies cannot be transferred. Please note that there is no guarantee that any higher-level clearance will be renewed once it expires.

Please be aware the levels of national security clearance are changing which may impact on the level needed for this role by the time of appointment. All efforts will be made to keep candidates informed of any changes and what that will mean in terms of vetting criteria. For more information please refer to the security section below.

For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the Demystifying Vetting website.

Allowances

You will be paid a pre-agreed daily rate as and when you accept and complete an agreement of engagement. As noted above, a place on the Scheme is not a guarantee of work.

The daily rate is paid at one of the following rates: £180, £265 and £300 depending on the requirements of the engagement offered. Tax and national insurance will be deducted at source. Holiday pay can be claimed at 15% of the days worked on an engagement.

Please note:

Associates are recruited under non fair and open competition.

HMICFRS do not provide references for Associates.

Home Office multiple assignment policy

Home Office policy does not allow an individual to have multiple assignments at any single point in time within the organisation. If you are offered a place on the Associate Scheme, and you already have an assignment with the Home Office (regardless of contract type) you cannot remain in another Home Office role concurrently. You will need to choose whether to remain in your current post or accept a place on the Associate Scheme. Please note, as specified earlier in the advert, a place on the Associate Scheme is not a guarantee of work. You will be paid a daily rate on an ad hoc basis as and when you accept and complete an agreement of engagement.

This role is only available to applicants living in the UK. Unless specified under the terms of any specific engagements, Associates aren’t permitted to work and/or take Home Office equipment outside of the UK.

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service /Disclosure Scotland/Access NI 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.

For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on 0870 609 6006 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email Info@disclosurescotland.co.uk

For further information on the Access NI confidential checking service telephone: the Access NI Helpline on 0300 200 7888 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email accessni@ani.x.gsi.gov.uk

Plagiarism

The ideas and experience provided by candidates during the recruitment process must be their own. Where plagiarism has been identified (which could include content generated by Artificial Intelligence), candidate applications may be rejected. Existing Civil Servants found to have plagiarised may be subject to disciplinary action.

Reasonable adjustments

If a person with disabilities is at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:

• Contact Government Recruitment Service via HOrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

• Complete the “Assistance Required” 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.

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

Feedback

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

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist 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 : OPC Team
• Email : recruitment@hmicfrs.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : HMICFRSRecruitment@homeoffice.gov.uk

Further information

If you feel that your application has not been treated in accordance with the recruitment
principles, and wish to make a complaint, then you should contact in the first instance
HORecruitment.GRS@cabinetoffice.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response that you receive, then you can contact the Civil Service Commission