Government launches new guidance on hiring disabled people

The Department for Work and Pensions has published new guidance to help managers recruit, retain, and foster the progression of disabled people and those with health conditions in the workplace.

The guidance, developed in collaboration with the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), aims to ensure employers and employees get the most from the Disability Confident scheme, to boost disability employment and reduce the disability employment gap.

The government has already met its target of getting one million more disabled people into employment by 2027 – reaching the milestone five years ahead of schedule.

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.

“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,” Mims Davies, minister for disabled people, health and work, said.

“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.”

Peter Cheese, chief executive of CIPD, the professional body for HR and people development, said: “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 31 January 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.

Guidance for employers on how to become Disability Confident can be found here.