Increasing public sector employment of disabled people: consultation

Chapter 3 – Other measures and steps that could be taken to increase disability employment rates in the public sector

In addition to considering whether setting targets is the most appropriate approach, there will be other actions and suggestions which could deliver on the ambition to increase the number of disabled people working in public bodies in Scotland.

An Example - Recruitment

The Scottish Government has achieved Disability Confident level three (Disability Confident Leader) in the UK-wide Disability Confident Scheme. Job applications are welcomed from all suitably-qualified people, in particular those that are currently under-represented in the organisation, including disabled applicants. The Scottish Government operates the Guaranteed Interview Scheme. Details of this are included within all vacancies advertised internally and externally.
The Scottish Government is also working closely with the UK Government in setting stretching targets for recruitment of disabled candidates to the Senior Civil Service in the Scottish Government.

As noted, work is underway in the Scottish Government to consider actions which will make a difference. But we would welcome your ideas. These could include action in areas such as:

• addressing the causes of low levels of staff identifying as disabled in some public bodies;
• improving approaches to advertising, promotion and recruitment;
• developing business cases for recruiting disabled people;
• increasing awareness and dispelling myths and fears about employing disabled people;
• considering the support public sector employers need to employ and retain disabled people;
• greater use of paid work experience/internships; and
• sharing learning from other public sector bodies.

Examples - NHS Scotland and Scottish Government work placements and internships

Paid work placements and internships can be a route into employment but at very least offer disabled people the chance to gain valuable work experience and increase employability skills.
The Scottish Government and NHS Scotland participate in internships programmes supporting disabled people. This includes:-

• the Professional Careers Programme, which places disabled graduates in every health board in Scotland;
• NHS Scotland's support for Project Search (a supported employment programme) for young people with learning disabilities;
• SG's participation in the Civil Service fast-stream summer diversity internship programme; and
• an internship programme funded by SG and managed by Inclusion Scotland which places interns in SG, the Scottish Parliament, MSPs' constituency offices, and Third sector organisations.

Question 8:

As already noted, action is already underway in the Scottish Government and across the wider public sector to improve disability employment rates. However, we would like to find out what else – if anything – you think your organisation/the public sector could do to employ more disabled people, and to support them to stay in work.

8. What other measures or options do you, or your organisation, think could be put in place to:

a) employ more disabled people in the public sector; and,
b) support disabled people to remain in employment in the public sector?