Are your friends in Ministry or stat board? It is the norm nowadays to offer a "perm" 1 year contract. Under this contract, you will receive the same perks and benefit as with perm staff, with the exception for civil service wide initiatives (i.e. salary adjustment across the board). At the end of the 1 year, base on your performance, you will either be converted to perm, or subject to renewal of contract (if they are not so sure about you yet).