Why join?
Fast Stream members get first six months of free FDA membership.
The FDA is the only trade union recognised by the Cabinet Office to represent Fast Stream civil servants. We welcome individuals from all Fast Stream schemes – from policy to diplomatic service, finance to commercial, human resources to project delivery.
All Fast Stream members are offered the first six months of their FDA membership for free, with reduced subscription rates during their time on the programme.
If you would like to find out more about the work of the FDA’s Fast Stream section, fill in this online form and a member of our Fast Stream Committee will be in touch.
There are a number of ways you can get involved with the FDA’s Fast Stream Section as a member, including as a mentor, organiser, casework rep, and on the Section Committee.
FDA Learn is the union’s professional learning and development programme, with courses specialising in our key delivery areas: leadership and management, career development and support for job applications, wellbeing, and upskilling.
We have a number of FDA Learn courses specifically designed for Fast Streamers. Hear from Fast Streamers about the support they have received here.
Effective objective setting Friday 11 September, 11am – 12pm
This event focuses primarily on personal objective setting and provides an insight into understanding the benefits of setting clear objectives as part of the performance management system; identifying strategies to overcome the challenges of setting objectives; understanding how to use the SMART framework, as well as being able to write and encourage others to write effective task and behaviour objectives within a performance management framework.
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Managing overwhelm and getting organisedThursday 1 October, 11am – 12:30pm
A calm, practical session on how to deal with overwhelm when there is “too much to do and think about” and how to get more organised without aiming for perfection. Participants will learn simple tools for breaking tasks down, prioritising, planning their week and creating small routines that make life feel more manageable.
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FDA Fast Stream Branch Committee members Natasha Bloomfield and Dan Marshall discuss the benefits of FDA Learn and how it has supported them.
Jo
FDA member, Senior Civil Servant and former Fast Streamer
Throughout my career it has been invaluable to know that the FDA is behind me – providing resources to support my personal development and giving me access to a supportive community of thousands of other civil servants.
Helen
Fast Stream Member
The FDA’s help was essential in overturning my Must Improve rating after a bad posting. Without the support and encouragement of the union I wouldn’t have felt able to challenge it.
Hasan
The FDA has been invaluable in ensuring that I received the reasonable adjustments I need to do the job.
Support at work
We help with Fast Streamers’ specific workplace issues, such as exam failures.
Find out more >
Six months for free
Receive the first six months of your membership for free.
JOIN NOW >
Member discounts
You can save up to £537 per year with membership discounts on major brands like Apple and M&S.
Career progression
We help Fast Streamers develop their careers with high quality training.
Public servants can’t always speak up for themselves, so we promote the positive work you do and combat falsehoods – wherever they come from.
We recognise Fast Stream civil servants aren’t always confident speaking out when they have a problem, but the Fast Stream Section is always happy to make the case on behalf of its members.
In 2022, our lobbying played a role in reversing the government’s decision to suspend the Fast Stream.
Memberships
Fast Stream and equivalent development schemes
As soon as you become a member of the FDA, you are automatically eligible to access FDA Portfolio. The average FDA member could save up to £537 per year by using a handful of benefits available.
HELP
The first six months of your membership as a Fast Streamer is free. After that, the membership costs £12 per month.
We collect subscriptions on a monthly basis.
You can join the FDA today by completing the membership form.
Please note, Fast Streamers should list “Cabinet Office” as your employer, not your posting department. Please list “Fast Stream” as your grade.
While the membership form requests you to enter your bank details, you will not be charged until after your first six months of membership as these are free for Fast Streamers.
In need of urgent support?
Contact faststream@fda.org.uk to be put in touch with a member of our Fast Stream committee. You can also login to your members’ area to find the contact details of your local rep.
Problems logging in? Call us on 020 7401 5555
Got a question about the membership?
Get in touch with our Membership Secretary at membership@fda.org.uk.
All Fast Streamers are offered the first six months of their FDA membership for free, with reduced subscription rates during their time on the programme.
