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Service level agreements

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  1. Raising ESR1’s for new or replacement posts: allow 5 working days

  2. Advertising of jobs: allow 7 working days (please note this is from the point the ESR1 is fully approved in the system subject to job specification and advert text being attached)

  3. Sending applications to panel after job closes: allow 2 working days

  4. Inviting candidates to interview: allow 2 working days. Candidates should be given at least 1 weeks notice of their interview to allow for sufficient preparation, please factor this into your planning, including the 2 days the recruitment team need to send the invites 

  5. Confirming to panel who is attending interview: no less than 2 working days before interview date

  6. **Note to Line Manager: Start date must be at least 2 weeks after the ESR1 appointment tab is completed, any exceptions to be discussed with your recruiter**

  7. Sending of employment offer paperwork: 7 working days (from the point the ESR1 appointment tab is completed and any salary exceptions are approved)

(We will endeavour to work to these time-frames, however during very busy periods we may need more time to action the steps above - your recruiter will be in contact if this is necessary)‌

 

Christmas Deadlines 2025

The Christmas closure period: Wednesday 24th December 2025 – Friday 2ndJanuary 2026, (inclusive). First working day back is: Monday 5th January 2026.

 

Advertising new vacancies

If you need a post to be advertised before the Christmas closure period, please ensure your ESR1 is fully approved with a job description and advert attached (or with your Recruiter) by Friday 12th December. 

 

Adverts closing / Applications sent for review

If your advert needs to close prior to the Christmas closure period, the latest advert close date is Sunday 14th December.  For any adverts that need to be closed at the beginning of January 2026, please liaise with your Recruiter to schedule a closing date.  

 

Scheduling interviews

Many candidates take time off over the Christmas period and may not be available for interview, therefore if your advert closes on or after Friday 12th December, please schedule interviews for after Monday 5th January 2026.  To send out invites and confirm interviews taking place straight after the Christmas break, please ensure you shortlisting is with us no later than Wednesday 17th December.  If you do have urgent interviews which you need to book in before January, you will be expected to arrange these yourselves.          

 

Contracts / New Appointments

Please allow a minimum of 10 working days from completion of appointment tab (on ESR1) to start date to allow for the pre-employment work that spans across the Recruitment, HR admin, Payroll and IT teams. 

 

The earliest date for new starters after the Christmas closure period is Monday 5th January 2026, as long as the below conditions are met, otherwise this will need to be pushed back.

 

For new starters where first day of work is Monday 5th January 2026:

  1. For new starters to be fully set up in advance of 5th January: this includes right to work check complete, contract issued and all pre-employment work done (setting up on payroll / IT issuing an account and email address etc), please complete your ESR1 appointment tab by Friday 5th December.   
  2. If ESR1 appointment tabs are completed between Monday 8th December and Friday 12th December the new starter will be sent their contract before Christmas and can start on 5th January if required (as long as the right to work check is complete), however pre-employment work may not be completed until w/c 5th This could result in delays with IT/email access, therefore please factor this in when agreeing start dates.
  3. As mentioned above please note new starters can only start work on 5th January, providing HR hold Right to Work documents. 

 

For any other offers where ESR1 appointment tabs are completed after Friday 12th December, the earliest start date will be Monday 12th January, unless exceptional circumstances are agreed with your recruitment contact. These contracts will be issued and pre-employment work completed after the Christmas break.  

 

PS Connect

The PS Connect portal contains quick and useful guides on a range of recruitment topics under information/My Team, (managers).  The support section of the portal also contains the contact details of the HR helpdesk who can help with a range of process queries and connect you to the right HR team where needed.