The Department for Works and Pensions (DWP) created this set of standards to help businesses recruit, retain and develop disabled staff, demonstrating a recognition of the value, expertise, and commitment they can bring. The Disability Confident Employer scheme demonstrates employers’ commitments to levelling the equality playing field, and their willingness to make reasonable changes to enable disabled employees to thrive at work.
Developed by employers and disabled people’s representatives to make it rigorous but easily accessible – particularly for smaller businesses, the scheme is voluntary and access to the guidance, self-assessments and resources is completely free.
There are 3 levels of Disability Confident status:
- Disability Confident Committed employer (Level 1)
- Disability Confident Employer (Level 2)
- Disability Confident leader (Level 3)
Accreditation as a Disability Confident Committed employer lasts for 3 years.
As a Disability Confident Committed employer, we will:
- Ensure our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible
- Communicate and promote vacancies
- Offer an interview to disabled people who meet the minimum criteria for a job
- Anticipate and provide reasonable adjustments as required
- Support any existing employee who acquires a disability or long term health condition, enabling them to stay in work
We’ve also committed to offering at least one of the following activities that will make a difference for disabled people:
- Work experience
- Work trials
- Paid employment (permanent or fixed term)
- Apprenticeships
- Job shadowing opportunities
- Traineeships
- Paid internships and supported internships
- Student placements
- Sector-based work academy placements
Could your business commit to the same? If you’re interested, you can sign up to become Disability Confident Committed