Working for DHSC
Source: gov.uk (2025-12-09)

We offer a varied, exciting, challenging and rewarding working environment.

Previous experience in a government department is not essential: our staff have backgrounds in the voluntary, public and private sectors.

You can find out more about what it’s like to work at the Department of Health and Social Care on the Civil Service careers website (https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/departments/working-for-the-department-of-health-social-care/).

Jobs at the Department of Health and Social Care

We are currently recruiting to a variety of roles. Visit the Civil Service Jobs website (https://www.civilservicejobs.service.gov.uk/csr/index.cgi) for more details and to apply.

All Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) jobs are advertised on the Civil Service Jobs website (https://www.civilservicejobs.service.gov.uk/csr/index.cgi). We also advertise in national and local media.

Vacancies on DHSC’s expert committees and other non-standard advisory roles are listed below. If there are no vacancies listed below, then we are not currently recruiting to any roles on our expert committees.

Vacancies on the boards of our arm’s length bodies are listed on the Public Appointments website (https://apply-for-public-appointment.service.gov.uk/roles).

DHSC values and promotes diversity and is committed to equality of opportunity for all.

Pay

We provide:
- a competitive salary that is reviewed annually
- the opportunity to earn performance awards
- an occupational pension when you join DHSC
Employee benefits and rewards

Employee benefits and rewards include:
- an employee discount scheme
- childcare vouchers or tax-free childcare scheme for eligible employees
- an employee assistance programme providing confidential advice, information and counselling
- the option to join a trade union
- an in-year award scheme for one-off exceptional personal or team achievements
- sick leave on full pay, followed by half pay, up to the maximum allowed by the relevant scheme
Flexibility

Flexibilities include:
- up to 30 days annual leave and 9 days public and privilege leave in a year (pro rata for part-time staff)
- time off to deal with emergencies, unexpected situations and certain other unplanned special circumstances
- paid time off for public service duties, for example if you are an armed forces reservist
- family-friendly policies, including flexible working patterns
- flexible working hours, subject to business needs
Family-friendly policies

Eligible employees are entitled to:
- maternity, adoption or shared parental leave of up to 26 weeks full pay followed by 13 weeks statutory pay and a further 13 weeks unpaid
- paternity leave of up to 2 weeks full pay
Development and career opportunities

We offer:
- rewarding and challenging jobs to help you develop and reach your potential
- a comprehensive range of learning and development opportunities to help you develop your skills, knowledge and experience
Boards and committees

Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens - chair

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) is looking to appoint a chair to the Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens (https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/advisory-committee-on-dangerous-pathogens) (ACDP). The chair leads ACDP in the provision of the scientific risk assessment and mitigation advice on the risks posted to public health by dangerous pathogens, both known and newly emerging.

The main areas of responsibility are to:
- provide leadership to the group to ensure that it works to achieve ACDP’s objectives in a way that reflects the highest standards in public life and the most recent clinical and scientific advice
- establish and manage appropriate subgroups
- take personal responsibility for the effective functioning of ACDP and to be responsible to members of ACDP and its subgroups and other interested parties for communicating the committee’s advice
- provide briefing and advice on hazards and risks from exposure to pathogens
Candidates must be able to demonstrate they have the qualities, skills and experience to meet all the essential criteria for appointment. They must have a strong career track record of leadership and relevant, significant achievements at a senior level. They must demonstrate the ability to lead a national committee, where all views are captured and explored, and recommendations reflect the collective opinion of the committee. They must have sound judgement, with an ability to critically analyse a wide range of complex information to make evidence-based decisions. Finally, they must also have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to gain the confidence of fellow committee members and of the committee’s stakeholders.

The time commitment for the role is approximately 3 meetings per year plus subgroup meetings which all require additional time for reading and preparation. There is no remuneration for this role, but expenses will be paid in line with DHSC policy. The proposed length of term for new appointments is generally 3 years.

If you require an alternative format please call Ralph Cabrega on xx-xxxx-xxxx or Rachael Gingell on xx-xxxx-xxxx quoting the reference VAC-EC1868.

The closing date for applications is midday on 20 January 2026.

(https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69380f7a5cc812f50aa41e41/chair-advisory-committee-on-dangerous-pathogens-information-pack.pdf)

Chair of the Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens: information pack for applicants (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69380f7a5cc812f50aa41e41/chair-advisory-committee-on-dangerous-pathogens-information-pack.pdf)

PDF, 177 KB, 15 pages

Advisory Committee on Borderline Substances (ACBS) - members

DHSC is looking to appoint new members to the Advisory Committee on Borderline Substances. ACBS is responsible for advising the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on the prescribing of borderline substances in NHS primary care. Borderline substances are nutritional or dermatological products that have been specially formulated to manage certain medical conditions.

As a member of ACBS you are required to attend and actively participate in meetings which are the forums for discussing new applications for approval. You must act as a rapporteur for a particular product, with due consideration for your area of expertise and the nature of the product being submitted.

Applicants must be able to demonstrate excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to operate effectively on a national expert scientific committee where you can offer advice and constructive challenge and accept challenge from others.

In addition, you must be able to demonstrate an outstanding record of achievement and senior level experience within one of the following specialisms:

primary care (GP or other primary healthcare professional)

dietetics

specialist dietetics (including home enteral feeding, ketogenic, inherited metabolic diseases, paediatric, medicines optimisation)

pharmacy

gastroenterology

geriatrics

You must be able to demonstrate that you have an in-depth knowledge of nutritional formulations as appropriate to your profession and demonstrate practical experience of using clinical research methodologies or organising clinical trials and interpreting data.

The term of appointment is up to 3 years, and the time commitment is approximately 9 days per year, which involves a one-day meeting in-person, several half-day meetings via teleconference and some work outside of meetings. There is no payment for these posts, but expenses will be paid in line with departmental policy.

For more information, please see the candidate information pack below. To apply, email your CV, supporting statement and completed monitoring form to xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx).

If you require an alternative format call Ralph Cabrega on xx-xxxx-xxxx, quoting the reference VAC-EC1867.

The closing date for applications is midday on 30 December 2025.

(https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/691604cf9d50fc2fe81617ae/acbs-members-applicant-information-pack.pdf)

Advisory committee on borderline substances (ACBS) members candidate information pack (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/691604cf9d50fc2fe81617ae/acbs-members-applicant-information-pack.pdf)

PDF, 196 KB, 16 pages

Patient representatives for medical devices and products used at home

DHSC is looking to appoint a number of patient representatives to 2 independent advisory panels:
- we are looking for applicants with lived experience as a user or carer of people using medical devices used mainly in diabetes care. Products include: continuous glucose monitoring sensors (CGMs), hypodermic equipment including needles and lancets, insulin pens, subcutaneous drug delivery devices, and detection strips for ketone, glucose and protein monitoring and neuropathy detection
- we are looking for applicants with lived experience as a user or carer of people using oral, dental, ear, eye or nasal care products. Products include: ear drops and sprays, nasal washes and aspirator, eye drops and ointments, other eye care products, artificial saliva formulations, jaw rehabilitation products and oral film forming agents
DHSC is updating how products are assessed before they can be listed for prescribing in the NHS. As part of this, we are introducing independent advisory panels made up of patients and clinicians.

You do not need to have experience with all of these products, but you should have experience with some of them. As a patient representative, you will play a crucial role in championing patient perspectives to ensure clinicians understand what matters most to patients. Your insights will be integral to the assessment of devices, ensuring that patient perspectives are embedded in decision-making.

To be considered, applicants need to demonstrate they have the qualities, skills and experience to meet all the essential criteria for appointment:
- experience representing the views of patients
- the ability to work as an individual and as part of a team, with a positive and constructive style and good communication skills
- the ability to reflect on and share lived experiences in an inclusive way
- be comfortable contributing to discussion with clinicians
- experience reviewing and commenting on written materials
- be comfortable contributing to and delivering training to clinicians on patient experience
- the ability to maintain confidentiality and act with professionalism
- be committed to the Seven Principles of Public Life (selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty, and leadership)
- the ability to maintain impartiality and objectivity and therefore must be free of conflicts of interest relating to payment from industry suppliers. Please get in touch if unsure
We are particularly keen to hear from individuals whose voices are often underrepresented in patient representative roles, including people from disadvantaged backgrounds, those living with multiple health conditions and individuals who experience challenges with dexterity or mobility.

If you require an alternative format, please call Amy Redhead on xx-xxxx-xxxx.

Pay will be £175 per full day; this is optional if, for any reason, you do not want payment. The role has an estimated time commitment equivalent to 5 full days (does not have to be done in whole days), with the majority of work taking place in March 2026. Work and meetings will be conducted virtually. Appointments will be for a term of up to 9 months.

For further information, see the candidate information pack below.

To apply email your CV, short supporting statement (500 words) and completed monitoring form to xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx).

If you are successful at the shortlisting stage, you will be invited to interview, which will consist of a short conversation about your suitability for the role.

The closing date for applications is midday on Friday 19 December 2025.

(https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6925b58c9fd433badebc316d/patient-representative-candidate-information-pack.pdf)

Patient representative candidate information pack (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6925b58c9fd433badebc316d/patient-representative-candidate-information-pack.pdf)

PDF, 189 KB, 15 pages

Independent Advisory Panels for Part IX of the Drug Tariff - members

DHSC is looking to appoint members to 2 independent advisory panels (IAPs) for wave 1 renewals of Part IX of the Drug Tariff listings:
- continuous glucose monitoring sensors
- hypodermic equipment, including needles and lancets
- insulin pens
- subcutaneous drug delivery devices
- detection strips for ketone, glucose and protein monitoring
- neuropathy detection
- ear drops and sprays
- nasal washes and aspirator
- eye drops and ointments and other eye care products
- artificial saliva formulations
- jaw rehabilitation products
- oral film forming agents
To date, medical devices for prescribing outside of hospitals have been listed indefinitely on Part IX of the Drug Tariff. DHSC is introducing renewals of listings and an enhanced assessment framework for products listed on Part IX of the Drug Tariff. As part of this enhanced assessment framework, DHSC is establishing IAPs. The role of IAPs is to review the quality of medical devices listed and to verify the placement of products in the recategorisation on the NHS Drug Tariff.

As a member of an IAP, you will play an important role in the independent assessment of medical devices in line with the enhanced assessment framework. You will score applications and attend virtual moderation meetings with the other panel members and the chairs.

To be considered, applicants need to demonstrate they have the qualities, skills and experience to meet all the essential criteria for appointment, including the:
- specialist experience listed above
- experience reviewing clinical evidence
- ability to contribute effectively to meetings, providing constructive challenge and contributions
- ability to work as an individual and as part of a team, with a positive and constructive style and good communication skills
Applicants should not be tied to a commercial company in their primary professional function.

The term of appointment will be up to 4 years (ad hoc work after the first period, to assess new applications). Payment will be £225 per day: this is optional if for any reason you do not want payment. The estimated time commitment is around 3 to 15 days per year, but this is flexible based on the time you have available and commitment you would like to make. The majority of the hours are across a 2-month period in year 1 (May to June 2026). The time commitment will be less for the 3 remaining years of the 4-year appointment.

Further background information on the updates to Part IX of the Drug Tariff (https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/manufacturers-and-suppliers/drug-tariff-part-ix-information) can be found on the NHSBSA website.

For further information, see the candidate information pack below. To apply, email your CV, supporting statement and completed monitoring form to xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx).

If you require an alternative format, call Amy Redhead on xx-xxxx-xxxx quoting the reference VAC-1866M.

The closing date for applications is midday on 12 December 2025.

(https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/692853c89c1eda2cdf0341e3/iap-member-information-pack-for-candidates.pdf)

IAP members candidate information pack (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/692853c89c1eda2cdf0341e3/iap-member-information-pack-for-candidates.pdf)

PDF, 214 KB, 16 pages

Monitoring form

DHSC values and promotes diversity and encourages applications from all sections of the community. The boards of public bodies should reflect the population they are there to serve. Boards also benefit from fresh perspectives, and we are always keen to encourage candidates new to public appointments to consider applying for our roles.

Complete the monitoring form as part of your application. You can complete it in Word or PDF.

(https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/668bd11e899a6f92e5d9ce9f/dhsc-monitoring-form-july-2024.docx)

Monitoring form (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/668bd11e899a6f92e5d9ce9f/dhsc-monitoring-form-july-2024.docx)

MS Word Document, 90 KB

(https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66a20882ab418ab055592ccd/dhsc-monitoring-form-updated-july-2024.pdf)

Monitoring form (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66a20882ab418ab055592ccd/dhsc-monitoring-form-updated-july-2024.pdf)

PDF, 1.21 MB, 16 pages

Jobs in the NHS

If you’re interested in working for the NHS, see the NHS Jobs website (https://www.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate).