Disability Confident Scheme
The Disability Confident scheme is a UK Government initiative designed to support employers in improving how they attract, recruit, retain, and develop disabled people and individuals with long term health conditions. The scheme provides a recognised framework that encourages organisations to adopt inclusive practices, remove barriers to employment, and promote equality of opportunity across the workforce.
Participation in the scheme is voluntary and is open to organisations of all sizes and sectors. It aims to foster a national culture in which disabled people are valued for their skills and contributions, and where employers are confident in creating accessible and supportive working environments.
Structure of the scheme
The scheme is comprised of three progressive levels, each requiring increasing evidence of commitment and good practice:
- Level 1: Disability Confident Committed - Employers make foundational commitments to inclusive recruitment and demonstrate a willingness to improve accessibility.
- Level 2: Disability Confident Employer - Organisations undertake a detailed self assessment of their employment practices and demonstrate that they actively support disabled employees throughout the employment lifecycle.
- Level 3: Disability Confident Leader - The highest level of accreditation, requiring external validation of an organisation’s practices and evidence of leadership in promoting disability inclusion beyond its own workforce.
Our status as a Disability Confident Leader
We are pleased to confirm that we have achieved Disability Confident Leader status. This accreditation reflects the highest standard within the scheme and demonstrates our sustained commitment to disability inclusion, accessibility, and equitable employment practices.
As a Disability Confident Leader, we:
- Have undergone independent external validation to confirm that our recruitment, workplace adjustments, and employment policies meet the scheme’s highest standards.
- Maintain a strategic and proactive approach to supporting disabled employees, ensuring that barriers to employment and progression are identified and removed.
- Promote positive attitudes towards disability across our organisation and within our wider networks.
- Share best practice and collaborate with other employers to support their progress through the scheme.
- Commit to continuous improvement, regularly reviewing our performance and setting measurable objectives to strengthen our approach to inclusion.
Significance of this accreditation
Achieving Disability Confident Leader status demonstrates that we are an organisation that values diversity, upholds equality of opportunity, and is committed to creating a workplace in which all individuals can contribute and succeed. It also signals to prospective employees, partners, and stakeholders that we operate to the highest standards of inclusive practice.