Author - Lise Austen, Recruiters’ Club Manager, MyPlus
Most employers in the UK will have either heard of the UK Government’s Disability Confident Scheme or are already progressing through the 3 Levels of the scheme. Many will have signed up because they feel it is the right thing to do and some will have done so as they see the value, strengths and skills that disabled individuals can, and probably already are bringing to their organisation. They may also recognise that by being inclusive of individuals with a disability they will be widening their talent pool from which they recruit as well as benefiting employees who have a disability or who may gain one whilst in their employment which is a common occurrence given that 83% of individuals gain their disability during their working life.
The UK Government Disability Confident Scheme
The UK Government Disability Confident Scheme has 3 Levels designed to support employers on their Disability Confident journey, these are:
Disability Confident Committed (Level 1)
Disability Confident Employer (Level 2)
Disability Confident Leader (Level 3)
All employers join the scheme at Level 1, and progress through the levels as their confidence and knowledge increases. At Level 1 you have to agree to the Disability Confident commitments and at least one action that you'll carry out to make a difference for disabled individuals.
At Level 2 you need to carry out a self-assessment and agree to all the actions in a core actions list and at least one action from an activity list for 2 themes: ‘Getting the right people for your business’ and ‘Keeping and developing your people’. Finally, to achieve Level 3 to become a disability confident leader your self-assessment needs to be validated by an external third party.
Since accreditation at each level needs to be reviewed annually and expires after 3 years it is important that employers implement solutions and activities which are sustainable over the long term. MyPlus would also recommend that they become integrated into existing processes and practices thereby becoming business as usual and therefore easier to manage.
How can MyPlus help employers with the scheme?
As experts in disability employment we know from our experience of working with employers that many are fearful and lack confidence when it comes to employing disabled individuals. Having been through the Government Disability Confident Scheme process ourselves and achieved the highest Level 3 Leadership status, we also understand the journey that employers have to go on and the detail required including, but not limited to, agreeing actions, deciding what to do, recording evidence, etc. It’s time-consuming and can be complex if you lack experience in this area.
MyPlus have a variety of offerings which enable employers to meet the requirements for the different levels of the UK Governments Disability Confident Scheme. Our mapping document highlights how all the MyPlus products and services can be used to fulfil the criteria and actions organisations are required to meet for the Government’s Disability Confident scheme for Levels 1 and 2. MyPlus has also created a template based on the official Government self-assessment evidence document which we have added recommended solutions to, which can be used to fulfil the requirements
For example:
Our MyPlus Recruiters’ Club provides disability education and training events enabling you to ‘ensure that employees have sufficient disability equality awareness training’ (Government Scheme: Disability Confident Employer Level 2, Theme 1, Criteria 7)
Our Consulting ‘6 steps to Disability Confidence’ Recruitment Process Audit can help you achieve ‘Providing a fully inclusive and accessible recruitment process’ (Government Scheme: Level 1, Commitment 1 and Level 2, Theme 1, Criteria 2)
Our Students’ Club website allows you to market your company and advertise jobs direct to students with disabilities and long term health illnesses, enabling you to achieve ‘actively attract and recruit disabled people to help fill your opportunities’ (Government Scheme: Level 2, Theme 1, Criteria 1)
For employers who are Level 3 Disability Confident Leadership accredited you will know that one of the commitments for the 3 years that your certificate is valid is to take an active leadership role encouraging other employers to commit to disability confidence. MyPlus can help you demonstrate this with tangible activities such as speaking at our disability employment training events for employers or sharing your story as a case study.
Who are MyPlus?
Our vision is to ensure that having a disability or long-term health condition doesn't prevent anyone from having the career that they want to have. We want disabled individuals to realise their career ambitions and employers to benefit from the unique talents and strengths that disabled individuals can, and do, bring to an organisation.
MyPlus works with organisations to provide them with the expertise to be disability confident in their strategy, their processes and their engagement with disabled individuals. Through our membership forum, the MyPlus Recruiters’ Club, we provide consulting, training, toolkits, advice and support required to attract, recruit and develop talented individuals with disabilities, with a particular focus on students and graduates. Our award winning MyPlus Students’ Club website, which provides career advice and support to students with disabilities, brings together work-ready disabled students and graduate employers who can use the website as a platform to showcase themselves as a disability confident employer and advertise jobs.
If you would like find out more about how our products and services can help you start, progress or maintain your focus on the UK Government’s Disability Confident Scheme, email info@myplusconsulting.com.
