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<p>As of January 2023, of the 74.2% of staff working in the Northern Ireland Office
(NIO) who have completed their disability declaration information, 9.2% shared they
had a disability. 4.9% of those who have declared their information have reported
they ‘prefer not to say’. This data is completed anonymously by employees via our
online HR system (SOP).</p><p> </p><p>The Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy
2022 maintains our focus on mainstreaming the delivery of inclusion and achieving
our key priorities as outlined in the Declaration on Government Reform. We will continue
to build a more inclusive Civil Service going further than the current Equality Act
provisions by building on and expanding a previous focus on Protected Characteristics
to deliver for all of our people. Incorporating a broader definition of diversity
(such as socioeconomic, work experience and geographic backgrounds) and embedding
activity in our strategic priorities will enable the successful delivery of our corporate
objectives. Disability remains a focus of this work and we continue to identify and
remove barriers affecting disabled colleagues.</p><p> </p><p>Representation of disabled
staff is increasing at all grades, whilst this trend is positive, we remain committed
to improving the representation of disabled colleagues across our workforce and in
particular at our most senior grades.</p><p> </p><p>All main Government departments
have Disability Confident Leader (level 3) status on the Government’s Disability Confident
Scheme, the highest level of accreditation. The scheme gives employers the tools to
recruit, retain and develop disabled people, and acts as a catalyst for continuous
improvement.</p><p> </p><p>The Civil Service Workplace Adjustment Service is well
established, offering specialist advice and access to a review route for disabled
employees experiencing difficulties in securing the adjustments they need. The service
includes a Workplace Adjustment Passport to facilitate the seamless retention of adjustments
on a change of line manager, job role or move between business areas or departments.</p><p>
</p><p>We will continue to target action where gaps persist.</p><p> </p>
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