A new Disability Confident guide for managers helping them recruit, retain, and foster the progression of disabled people and those with health conditions in the workplace has been published by the Government’s Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).
The guidance has been launched to ensure employers and employees get the most from the Disability Confident scheme, to boost disability employment and reduce the disability employment gap.
Some of the guidance includes advertising jobs on channels that specifically reach disabled people and implementing reasonable adjustments in the workplace like flexible working and arranging one-to-one mentoring support.
Minister for Disabled People, Health & Work, Mims Davies MP, said: “We want to help everyone realise their potential and it’s fantastic to have helped over a million more disabled people into work, hitting that target five years early – but we’re not stopping there. This new guidance is a really useful tool for managers that will support even more people to progress – whatever their condition and whatever their profession. It’s just the latest step in our mission to ensure the UK is the most accessible place in the world for disabled people to live, work and thrive.”
Peter Cheese, Chief Executive of CIPD, added: “Too often, people with disabilities or long-term health conditions face prejudice or cannot access the support they need to help them reach their potential or remain in work. That is a loss of significant workforce capacity and skills.
“That’s why Disability Confident and the CIPD have worked in partnership to update this guide, which aims to support managers and anyone who leads another individual or team, in the recruitment, management and development of people with disabilities and long-term health conditions.”
As of January 31st 2024, there were over 19,000 members of the Disability Confident scheme across the UK with an estimated 11.5 million paid employees working in their organisations.
To gain Disability Confident status, members must commit to changing behaviour and cultures in their own businesses, networks, and communities, and taking the lead on inclusive recruitment practices.
Disability Confident guidance for managers can be found here: Disability Confident and CIPD: guide for line managers on employing people with a disability or health condition.
Information on how to become Disability Confident can be found here: Disability Confident employer scheme – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
