Diversity & Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion, and to providing a positive, inclusive workplace where everyone can fully participate, perform at their best and reach their full potential and feelsvalued, respected and accepted for who they truly are.

As part of our commitment to diversity and inclusion we have: 

•  A Diversity Champions Network comprised of senior colleagues as designated, committed diversity champions for each of our nine departments, and a thematic lead representing each of the areas of Gender, Race and Ethnicity, LGBTQ+ and Disability.

•  An annual Diversity Action Plan (DAP) which identifies key activities to be undertaken to improve diversity and inclusion within the organisation across four key themes of gender, disability, LGBTQ+, race and ethnicity as well as cross cutting priorities.

•  A designated Diversity and Inclusion Hub which is a one stop shop for colleagues to learn more about our diversity and inclusion plans, Diversity Champions and staff networks.

• A range of resources to improve diversity knowledge and understanding across the workforce, such as a Guide for Allies, a LGBTQ+ Role Models Guide, Neurodiversity Line Manager’s Toolkit, Guide to Supporting Carers and an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion learning bundle containing mandatory diversity related e-learning modules.

• Active staff networks across the areas of LGBTQ+, Gender (Women), Disability, Race and Ethnicity and a Cancer Support Network which are open to all staff. A Student Network also exists to provide a means for colleagues who are on placement in the Civil Service to learn from and support one another and create a sense of belonging. Our staff networks provide an opportunity for colleagues to come together to share experiences, information, support and learning. They have been invaluable in helping raise awareness of issues, providing peer support, allyship and friendship and a sense of belonging to members. The Civil Service also has established working groups for Autism and disability to promote and support disability inclusion.

•  A Guaranteed Interview Scheme as part of our commitment to disability inclusion which ensures that disabled applicants, who meet the minimum essential eligibility criteria for the role they have applied for, are offered an interview.  The Civil Service is a lead partner of Employers for Disability in NI, has been accredited as a Disability Positive employer and is committed to being a Just A Minute (JAM) Card friendly organisation.

• Initiatives to support the employment of disabled people such as participation in International Job Shadow Day, the Department for Communities' Job Start Programme and our own Work Experience Programme.
   
• Benchmarked practices including the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index in respect of LGBTQ+ initiatives, Diversity Mark for gender diversity and Employers for Disability NI's Disability Positive accreditation for disability inclusion.

                                    

• Made a public commitment to champion and promote racial equality in our workplaces by signing the Race at Work Charter.
   

• A range of support for colleagues experiencing or at risk of domestic and sexual abuse which includes a workplace policy , designated colleagues who have been trained as Safe Place Advocates and an awareness campaign of the support available.  In recognition of the work delivered in this area, the Civil Service was awarded the 2022 CIPD NI award for 'Best Diversity and Inclusion Initiative' and in February 2025 progressed from gold to platinum status in the Onus Workplace Charter.  The Civil Service has also signed its commitment to the White Ribbon NI Charter with a pledge to never commit condone or remain silent about violence against women and girls.