Border Force Higher Officer Review
at Home Office
Level 3 Apprenticeship
Folkestone
Review Submitted: April 2023
Overall Rating
2.9 /5
The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!
3/5
-
Overview of Role
3/5
-
Skills Development
2.2/5
-
Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
3/5
Border Force Higher Officer. Managing a team of Officers, controlling people and goods entering and leaving the United Kingdom. Managing the team, searching people and vehicles, looking for prohibited and restricted items, seizing items and making arrests when necessary. All Human Resources functions for the team are also carried out daily.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
3/5
I enjoyed aspects of the course, learning new skills and theories and being able to put these skills into practice. There were times when 20% off the job training made it a struggle to keep on top of my day to day workload, but the advantages outweighed this. It was a good course.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
3/5
I have learnt how to lead a high performing team, organisation governance, managing self and project management skills. This has involved learning about management theories, techniques and skills to help development my team and myself. This has been a great asset as I continue on a leadership journey through my career.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
2/5
The course was well structured although more regular contact with my coach would have been advantageous to help guide me through areas that were more challenging. However, I got all the work completed on time, receiving good feedback and I hope my end point assessment is passed when I receive the result in a few weeks.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
1/5
I was able to take the 20% off the job time but I did not receive any other support from my employer, despite being told the course was mandatory. I was left to get on with it unsupported, although I did not approach and ask for help either. Therefore more support might have been available.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
2/5
I had meetings with my skills coach, although more meetings to help with aspects of the coursework would have been beneficial. Also, next to no feedback was received about the work I submitted, more would have helped me understand how I was doing and increase my confidence if positive.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
3/5
Understanding more about the principles of management, leading a high performing team, managing myself, organisational governance and project management have been extremely helpful. This increased knowledge and theories have helped me run my team successfully and knowledge of how to deal with challenging situations and demands on my daily time.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
3/5
There is the Civil Service Sports Club amongst other opportunities which provides access to a wide breath of outside organisations, clubs, sport and social events. I regularly check to see what is available in my local area as I believe extra activities and sport are good for your health and mental health.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Home Office to a friend?
Yes
Why?
The Home Office offers lots of different types of employment and opportunities in the UK and overseas. It is an organisation that cares for its employees even if the salaries are not necessarily the best. I have enjoyed working for the Home Office since i started nearly twenty years ago.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Home Office?
Read up about the different opportunities and jobs available, research what you believe your current skills and attributes would be best aligned to. This will help place you in a job or position that is best suited to your skills and what will give you job satisfaction, something vital in a career.
