We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Leader

We’re delighted to announce that our Disability Confident Leader status by the Department for Work and Pensions has been renewed.

Why did we become a Disability Confident Leader?

“The decision to adopt the Disability Confident scheme reflects our commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace and recognises the potential and contributions of disabled individuals. Not only have we expanded our talent pool, but we’ve also witnessed a positive impact on our team dynamics and overall business performance. The scheme has enabled us to navigate the complexities of disability inclusion effectively and with sensitivity. We encourage you to join us on this journey, as together, we can create workplaces that celebrate diversity, empower individuals, and drive sustainable growth. As a Disability Confident Leader, we’re looking forward to helping other organisations along the journey to becoming Disability Confident.”

The Benefits of Becoming Disability Confident…

Join over 18,000 organisations that have signed up to be Disability Confident. Disability Confident organisations play a leading role in changing attitudes for the better. They’re changing behaviour and cultures in their own businesses, networks and communities, and reaping the benefits of inclusive recruitment practices.

The scheme helps employers recruit and retain great people, and:

• draw from the widest possible pool of talent
• secure high-quality staff who are skilled, loyal and hard-working
• improve employee morale and commitment by demonstrating that you treat all employees fairly
• it also helps customers and other businesses identify those employers who are committed to equality in the workplace.

5 things we’ve learnt from the Disability Confident renewal process…

Having recently gone through the renewal process for our Disability Confident Level 3 status, so we thought we’d share our top tips and things we’ve learned along the way.

1. Start early! No matter how long you think it will take you, it will always take longer than anticipated. Pulling together and reviewing the relevant documents, arranging meetings with key personnel all takes time. Start planning 3 months ahead of the renewal date.
2. Keep all your renewal documents in one file, so it’s easy to get hold of them for the next renewal. This might include the evidence template, policy documents, surveys, examples of job descriptions and any other promotional materials.
3. Use your Employee Resource Groups as part of the feedback and renewal process. Their insight is an untapped and invaluable resource for you to draw on, especially when you are facing a sticking point and need fresh ideas and insight.
4. Be open to change. As your organisation grows, your validation process will change. As a micro or small business you might have used your internal networks to validate your status. As a medium or large business, it is necessary to bring in an external validator who can give you the level of objective insight and expertise that is required for a company of your size.
5. Be brave. The renewal process can seem daunting at the beginning. But remember there is support.

How we can help you…

As Disability Confident Leaders we can partner with you to support you through your Disability Confident Accreditation Journey,  including validating your L3 when you reach it!

We’re able to conduct a gap analysis, provide targetted recommendations and support the implementation process with our services, which include:

• Disability Awareness Training
• Workplace Needs Assessment – we can be your workplace adjustment provider
• Strategy & Policy Development
• Workplace Strategy Coaching
• Diversity & Inclusion Awareness Training
• Assistive Technology & Training

To find out about the support we can provide, please get in touch with the team.