Vetting Caseworker Band E in Sidcup

Salary: The starting salary is £36,228, which includes allowances totalling £3,009. The salary is broken down as £33,219 basic salary, which will increase annually until you reach the top of the scale £35,541. Plus, a location allowance of £2,009 and a non‑pensionable allowance of £1,000.

Location: Sidcup

The purpose of the role is to safeguard organisational integrity and security by conducting thorough and proportionate vetting checks on officers, staff, contractors, and agency personnel. The role is responsible for assessing individuals’ suitability for employment through the evaluation of personal, professional, financial, and associative information. The Vetting Caseworker identifies and investigates potential risks, making informed decisions and providing evidence‑based recommendations, including escalation of concerns where necessary. The role also ensures the accurate maintenance of vetting records, supports timely and effective case management, and collaborates with internal and external stakeholders to uphold consistent vetting standards and protect the organisation from potential threats.

The vetting unit is a naturally fast‑paced and dynamic environment where no two days are the same. You do not need any previous experience, instead we’re looking for flexible, motivated people with common sense and strong work ethics, who can remain calm under pressure, with attention to detail and good communication skills. 5 weeks training will be provided at Marlowe House. Following that vetting caseworkers will transition to our Learning Academy. This is to ensure vetting caseworkers are multi‑skilled and in a position to provide expert knowledge to be able to carry out vetting with confidence. The most important attribute is that you want to make a difference to the communities of London and support Front Line policing.

The Vetting Unit operates under the MPS Hybrid Working Policy. This means that once you’ve completed your office‑based training, most of our staff will be entitled to work in line with the Hybrid Working policy. Currently, this means that after an initial period of working full time in the office, you would be able to work 60% (3 days pro rata) in the office and 40% (2 days pro rata) at home using Met issued laptops.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct vetting checks for Officers and Staff researching the applicant’s professional and private life, financial affairs, associations and employment history.
• Conduct vetting checks for contractors, subcontractors and agency staff engaged by the Met and to advise on the suitability for employment.
• Maintain, update and archive documents/files to ensure that the system is accurate.
• Identify, investigate and assess any matter relating to the applicant’s suitability for employment which may be a potential threat to security.
• Make decisions on the information found whether further research is required and provide a report regarding concerns.
• Take prompt and decisive action in relation to problems encountered in the vetting process.
• Able to prioritise own work according to targets set within the unit.
• Refer vetting failures to the Senior Vetting Officer /Force Vetting Manager for consideration with accompanying report detailing rationale for failure.
• Liaise with other forces or external agencies on vetting procedures and specific cases providing information on complaints history where appropriate.

This post requires access to the most sensitive intelligence material on a daily basis. Applicants must hold or be prepared to undergo National Security Vetting (NSV) Security Check (enhanced)(SC(e)) level before taking up the post.

How to apply

To begin your career at the Met, please click the "apply button". The application process requires a comprehensive CV and an online application form. Please note that you should not submit two copies of your CV, and ensure that your documents are saved in either PDF or Word format, clearly labelled as CV. Completed applications must be submitted by 23:55 on 17/07/2026. Once received, your application will be reviewed against eligibility criteria, following this, your application will be reviewed by the hiring manager. Following application review, successful candidates will be invited to interview.

Essential For The Role

• Ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• A team player.
• Proven research and analytical skills.
• Ability to maintain a high level of diplomacy, tact and discretion in the managing of sensitive and confidential information.
• Methodical and thorough approach to work.
• A desire to show initiative.
• Good Organisational skills.
• Good at multitasking and prioritising workloads.
• Ability to stay calm under pressure and able to work to tight deadlines.
• Experience and understanding of Met IT systems, Outlook, Word, Excel.

As part of the recruitment process you will be invited to attend an onsite assessment at Marlowe House, Sidcup to help determine suitability.

Competencies tested during sift

• We take ownership at level 1.
• We analyse critically at level 1.
• We collaborate at level 1.

Values tested during sift

• Integrity.

Disability Confident Statement

We are committed to being an equitable (fair and impartial) and inclusive employer for disabled people, striving to have a diverse and representative workforce at all levels. We encourage applications from people from the widest possible range of backgrounds, cultures and experiences. We particularly welcome applications from people with disabilities and long‑term conditions, ethnic minority groups and women. As a Disability Confident Leader, we have committed to making disability equality part of our everyday practice. We ensure that people with disabilities and those with long‑term conditions have the opportunities to fulfil their potential and realise their aspirations. We are committed to making reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process to ensure disabled applicants can perform at their best. If you need any reasonable adjustments or changes to the application and recruitment process, we ask that you include this information within your application form. All matters will be treated in strict confidence.