Senior Civil Service (SCS) Inductions
Source: gov.uk (2025-11-25)

Supporting senior leaders who are new to their grade, to gain the knowledge, skills, and networks needed to lead successfully in the Civil Service.

Government Skills brings leaders together from across the Civil Service to share experiences, build expertise, develop networks and strengthen leadership capability.

There are currently three induction programmes for members of the Senior Civil Service (SCS):

Senior Civil Service Orientation (SCSO)

Senior Civil Service Orientation (SCSO) supports senior leaders, who are new to the Civil Service, to gain a comprehensive understanding of working in central Government.

Through a blend of online content and live events, the programme helps participants build the knowledge, skills, and networks needed to thrive in their roles.

The aims of the programme are to:
- celebrate the new role and welcome participants to the Civil Service
- provide the participants with a clear understanding of what is expected of them as leaders within the Civil Service
- create personal networks across the Civil Service
- introduce the Civil Service corporate leadership frameworks
- provide support to new SCS to think about their leadership journey
- provide insights into working with ministers and the private office
- provide an overview of the financial architecture of the Civil Service
If you would like to attend a Senior Civil Service Orientation, please join the SCSO waiting list (https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1832701241749?aff=oddtdtcreator) and we will contact you when a space becomes available.

For SCS leaders new to the Civil Service, we also recommend registering for the Deputy Director Induction (DDI) or Director Induction (DI) programmes; further details are provided below.

We also recommend attending parliamentary workshops run by the Parliamentary Capability Team:

Working with Parliament for leaders

The Parliamentary Capability Team is based in the Government Skills and Curriculum Unit, and exists to help civil servants better understand how Parliament scrutinises the work of government and how they can effectively support their department’s response to Parliamentary scrutiny.

The team have created three bespoke learning events aimed at SCS:

Leading and Parliament

An introduction to Parliament specifically designed for senior leaders delivered remotely over two weeks in conjunction with the Civil Service Leadership Academy.

Select Committees for Leaders

This will give SCS an understanding of how to effectively manage the work of parliamentary select committees that scrutinize their department’s work. It will cover parliamentary process and culture, supporting ministers with committee appearances, and the internal activities that need to be managed in order to effectively respond to this work.

Accounting Officers Roundtable

This course is designed for newly appointed Accounting Officers or Additional Accounting Officers. It will help you understand your responsibilities for the use of public money, and preparing for appearances before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) in Parliament. Please register your interest by emailing xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx).

If you would like to know more about these courses, please contact xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx).

Other useful resources

The Civil Service Code (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-service-code/the-civil-service-code)

Deputy Director Induction (DDI)

This programme is aimed at recently promoted and/or externally recruited Deputy Directors.

It is designed to support participant’s transition into the SCS by providing the knowledge, skills and networks they need to be successful. Sessions provide a space for participants to share experiences, build networks, and learn from other senior leaders. The aims of the programme are to:
- welcome participants to the Senior Civil Service and celebrate their new role
- provide the participants with a clear understanding of what is expected of them as deputy directors
- provide essential knowledge to support them as they start their SCS career
- provide current and relevant insights into the operation of Government
- create personal networks across the Civil Service
- provide support to new SCS to think about their leadership journey.
The DDIs are held regionally and we would encourage you to book onto an induction within your region, however this isn’t always possible and if you are happy to travel, you are welcome to book onto an induction in a different region.

If you would like to attend a Deputy Director Induction, find availability and register here (https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/scs-inductions-2025-4792839)

If you are unable to find an available date to attend please join the DDI waiting list. (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1832651523039?aff=oddtdtcreator)

For further information, please contact xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx)

Director Induction (DI)

This programme is aimed at recently promoted and/or externally recruited Directors.

It is designed to support participant’s transition into their new roles by providing the knowledge, skills and networks they need to be successful. Sessions provide a space for participants to share experiences, build networks, and learn from other senior leaders.

The aims of the programme are to:
- welcome participants and celebrate their new role
- provide the participants with a clear understanding of what is expected of them as directors
- provide essential knowledge to support them in continuing their SCS career
- provide current and relevant insights into the operation of Government
- create personal networks across the Civil Service
- provide support to think about their leadership journey.
If you would like to attend a Director Induction, please join the DI waiting list (https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1832668864909?aff=oddtdtcreator) and we will contact you when a space becomes available.

For further information, please contact xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx)

Director General and above

The Civil Service Leadership Group brings together civil servants at the most senior levels — permanent secretaries, directors general, and equivalent roles — to work together on strategic issues and government priorities. The group is regularly invited to calls, webinars, events and visits.

If you are a new, recently promoted, or interim director general and are not receiving notifications about these events, please contact xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx)

Directors general and permanent secretaries are also included in the public sector offer for chief executive officers (CEOs) (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/ceo-and-deputy-ceo-level-development), where they can build universally applicable skills and deep networks with colleagues across the wider public sector.

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