Research exploring ways to improve the Disability Confident Employer Scheme in Wales - Description of the scheme

The current Disability Confident Employer Scheme was launched in November 2016 by the DWP to replace the ‘two ticks’ scheme (DWP). 

The scheme aims to ‘get more disabled people into employment and reduce the employment gap between disabled and non-disabled people’ and ‘support employers to make the most of the talents disabled people can bring to the workplace’. It is stated that ‘being Disability Confident is an opportunity for employers to lead the way in their community and to discover skills and talents they cannot do without’. The scheme is voluntary and access to the guidance, self-assessments and resources is free. 

The scheme has three levels which employers are encouraged to move through: Level 1 ‘Committed’, Level 2 ‘Employer’ and Level 3 ‘Leader’ as set out below (DWP).

Level 1: Committed 

At this level, employers sign up to the scheme via GOV.UK where an employer agrees in principle to five Disability Confident commitments and to carrying out at least one activity from a list of nine that will make a difference to disabled people (DWP).

The five commitments are:

1. ensure your recruitment process is inclusive and accessible
2. communicate and promote vacancies
3. offer an interview to disabled people
4. anticipate and provide reasonable adjustments as required
5. support any existing employee who acquires a disability or long-term health condition, enabling them to stay in work 

The nine activities are:

1. work experience
2. work trials
3. paid employment (permanent or fixed term)
4. apprenticeships
5. job shadowing opportunities
6. traineeships
7. paid internships and supported internships
8. student placements
9. sector-based work academy placements 

Level 2: Employer

Employers at this level complete an action focused self-assessment covering two themes and agree to take on the ‘core actions’ and at least one ‘activity’ specified by the DWP against each theme. Employers must complete Level 1 before progressing to this level. The two themes are: 

1. getting the right people for your business
2. keeping and developing your people

At Levels 1 and 2 resources and guidance are available to demonstrate how the core actions and activities under each theme can be implemented effectively by an employer (DWP).

Level 3: Leader 

To achieve this level, there are 3 additional steps that an employer needs to take (DWP). These include:

1. challenge: employers are required to have their self-assessment validated by a third party to ensure the employer delivering against the core actions and are employing disabled people
2. leadership: employers must provide a narrative of activities taken or are taking in support of being a Disability Confident Leader
3. reporting on disability, mental health and well-being: employers must use the Voluntary Reporting Framework to report on actions undertaken