This neurodiversity celebration week GFiE’s Head of Strategy and Community Amy Baldwin shares how thinking differently helps to drive and shape our work.
I have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and like many neurodivergent people I care passionately about fairness. I found GFiE when I was looking for a new job that was closely aligned with my values, where I could apply my skills and experience to make a positive difference, because that’s when I do my best work - bringing people together and thinking creatively.
The way my brain works brings real strengths and equally real challenges. Ask me to write a strategy by the end of the week, no problem - but ask me to fill in a form and I’ll struggle. Understanding strengths and challenges is at the core of what GFiE does. We do things differently, removing barriers to employment so that we can bring new voices and talent into the Civil Service.
Here are 5 reasons you should get involved:
1.It’s a brilliant way to recruit into your team
I’ve been a civil servant for longer than I care to say and GFiE recruitment is one of the most direct and meaningful ways of delivering on our commitment to represent the communities we serve. By doing recruitment differently and working in partnership we can reach people who may not otherwise have considered a civil service job including people from lower Socio Economic Backgrounds, Prison Leavers, Carers and Care Leavers.
2. It changes lives - in more ways than you might think
Candidates get a job which can offer stability, development opportunities and increased confidence, which can have a positive knock on impact on their families and communities. But it’s not a one way deal, line managers, colleagues and buddies learn a great deal too, including personal insights that positively impact on the way we develop policy and deliver services. I have certainly learned a great deal from the colleagues I’ve worked with.
3. It’s not all about London
As a Londonder born and bred it pains me to say it but it really isn’t all about London. The majority of the roles we offer are outside London and the way we work lends itself to building local connections.
4. It’s about great partnerships.
Partnerships between line managers and candidates, between schemes and their delivery partners - including charities, Local Authorities and Prisons, between the GFiE Team and the brilliant colleagues who are leading GFiE schemes all over the civil service. This work is a great example of partnership working - with tangible and positive results. It’s social mobility in action.
5.Civil Servants can recruit into vacancies using GFiE life chance recruitment. But they might not know that they can …
Schemes across the civil service are working with People from low Socio Economic Backgrounds, Prison Leavers, Carers, Care Leavers and others, offering Fixed term appointments of up to 2 years with the possibility of being made permanent for AO and EOs. Many roles include an apprenticeship and they all include training and support.
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If you would like to know know more about GFiE Life Chance Schemes, or are a civil servant and want to discuss providing life changing opportunities to individuals by using GFiE to recruit into vacancies you have coming up, please get in contact with the GfiE Team at GFiE@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
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