No10 Custodian/Security Officer

Job summary

The Prime Minister’s Office enables the Prime Minster to deliver the Government’s overall priorities and to communicate the Government’s policies to Parliament, the public and international audiences. From the Policy Unit and Press Office, Switchboard and Custodians, to the Events & Visits team and the Private Office support; the diverse Downing Street team draws on varied expertise from across the Civil Service and beyond. The teams come together to deliver excellent service to the Prime Minister while also making No10 a great place to work.

Job description

As a Custodian at the Prime Minister’s Office, you will play a dual role in maintaining robust security standards while delivering a professional and welcoming experience for all visitors. Your contribution will ensure our complex security operation runs smoothly and that every interaction reflects our commitment to safety and service excellence.

You will work as part of a motivated team to provide a visible, reassuring presence, combining technical expertise with strong interpersonal skills. A key aspect of the role involves operating bespoke security architecture—such as CCTV and Access Control systems—to safeguard our people and assets. You will monitor and manage these systems with precision, ensuring compliance and rapid response to any security concerns.

Equally important is your role in customer-facing duties, including processing visitors and vehicles efficiently and courteously. You will act as a first point of contact, offering clear guidance and assistance to create a positive experience for guests. In addition, you will respond to incidents and emergencies with calm authority, prioritising both safety and clear communication.

We value diversity and welcome applicants from all walks of life, with the strong ability to communicate effectively, remain calm under pressure and deliver an outstanding service.

Due to the nature of the role, this position is office-based only.

Shift patterns and allowance

As a Custodian you will work a 24/7 shift pattern comprising of early, Late and night shifts (including bank holidays & weekends). The average working week is 37 hours (excluding breaks) over 5 working days and two rest days. As such the basic pay is enhanced by 36.97% in allowances. Shift patterns may be subject to changes.

Person specification

Key responsibilities and skills;

• You will have good customer service skills and be keen to learn.
• You will enjoy working in a team, be calm under pressure and be assertive when giving instructions.
  You will be a confident communicator and take care to write clearly and concisely. With excellent attention to detail, you will compile accurate written logs.
• Proactive and motivated, you will be an effective time manager with strong administrative and observational skills.
• Due to the front facing nature of the role, you will be the first person many people meet on entering No10 from staff to VVIPs, you will have high personal standards, expecting nothing but the best of yourself and others.
• We will expect you to have strong IT skills, including the ability to use email and Microsoft Office.

Additional information

This role is open to UK nationals only and office based with no flexible working options.

Behaviours

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

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

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Working Together
• Communicating and Influencing

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £31,642, Cabinet Office contributes £9,166 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• Learning and development tailored to your role.
• An environment with flexible working options.
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.
• A Civil Service Pension which provides an attractive pension, benefits for dependants and employer contributions of 28.97%.
• A minimum of 25 days of paid annual leave, increasing by one day per year up to a maximum of 30.

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 and Experience.

Application process

After submission of your application you will be invited to complete a Customer Service Skills Practice test

Please complete the online tests as soon as possible (within 24-48 hours is recommended), the closing date for the tests is 23:55 on 18th January 2026. If you fail to complete the online test before the deadline your application will be withdrawn. Guidance for the test will be available when you are invited to take the test. The tests are administered online and accessed via the CS Jobs website.

An online Customer Service test will also need to be completed as part of the initial stage of application. This must be completed by the closing date for your application to be considered for this role. Example of a practice test can be found below.

Please complete the online application form to include a CV, Personal Statement (250 words max) and 2 Behaviour statements against the following Behaviours;

1. Working together
2. Communicating & Influencing

Please use the Personal Statement (250 words max) to explain why you would be a suitable candidate and how you meet the key skills mentioned on the advert.

Customer Service Skills Practice Test

Selection process

Applications will be sifted against the CV, 2 Behaviours listed below and your personal statement using the of the Success Profiles Framework.

1. Working together
2. Communicating & Influencing

Candidates successful at sift will be invited to a panel interview based on Behaviours and Strengths.

Expected timeline (subject to change)
Expected sift date – February
Expected interview date/s – February
Interview location - 10 Downing Street, London

Reasonable Adjustment

If a person with disabilities is put 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 AdvertRecruitment.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. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

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

Please note that this role requires DV clearance, which would normally need 10 years’ UK residency in the past 10 years. This is not an absolute requirement, but supplementary checks may be needed where individuals have not lived in the UK for that period. This may mean your security clearance (and therefore your appointment) will take longer or, in some cases, not be possible.

Please note terms and conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.

Any move to Cabinet Office from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at: https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk.

A reserve list will be held for a period of 12 months, from which further appointments can be made.

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.

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

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 See our vetting charter

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

This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.

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 developed vetting (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

Open to UK nationals only.

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.The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).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 : No10 Recruitment
• Email : No10Recruitment@no10.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : cabinetofficerecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Further information

Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles.
If you feel that your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and wish to make a complaint, then in the first instance you should contact Government Recruitment Service at: cabinetofficerecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk.
If you are not satisfied with the response that you receive, then you can contact the Civil Service Commission at: info@csc.gov.uk.
For further information on the Recruitment Principles, and bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission, please visit their website at: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk.

Attachments

Cabinet Office Terms and Conditions - External 2025-02-20 Opens in new window (docx, 83kB)Cabinet Office Employee Offer Opens in new window (pdf, 302kB)