Beyond boundaries
Find out about this highly-rated development programme for civil servants from grades AA to SEO.
What is Beyond boundaries?
Beyond boundaries is a one-year development programme open to civil servants everywhere who are at AA, AO, EO and HEO-SEO grades.
It is designed to help participants develop the skills, knowledge and networks needed to build a satisfying and successful career in the Civil Service.
This programme helps participants understand their own strengths, motivations and values in a way that can support them to understand where in the organisation they are most likely to flourish.
The aim is to help them realise their full potential as well as to develop the leadership skills and confidence they need in their career.
The application process is the same across all departments. It involves a strengths-based questionnaire providing evidence of motivation and to determine who will benefit most from the programme.
Eligibility
Applications are open to civil servants in grades AA-SEO (or equivalent), and individual departments decide whether and how many places they will fund on the programme.
Departments will also determine how much funding they will set aside, if any, for participants with protected characteristics, from low socio-economic backgrounds or from specific locations, in line with their own policies and procedures. The selection process is run centrally, providing an assessment process that is independent and fair.
What will I learn?
The programme consists of a number of structured development activities and self directed learning, including individual coaching to support self awareness and career planning. Participants will be able to practise a wide range of skills including application writing and interviewing, networking and leadership and critical thinking skills.
Found out how Beyond boundaries helped civil servant Peter Kennard step out of his comfort zone.
Peter explains how the programme helped him re-find his true self
Read how Beyond boundaries helped civil servant Kate progress to a more senior role
Kate explains how the programme gave her the support she needed
How to apply
As part of your application, you will be asked to confirm your current department and grade and confirm you have permission from your line manager to participate in the Beyond boundaries programme.
The application is a survey which includes a series of scored questions designed to assess who would benefit most from the programme. The scores are then used to create a departmental merit list ranked in order of strength of evidence.
Your department will notify you if you have been successful in gaining a place on the programme. Following an offer, all successful applicants will be asked to confirm their placement onto the scheme.
Next steps
The programme has an annual application window. Look out for further details on your departmental intranet or on Civil Service Jobs, where the scheme is also advertised.