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At University Hospitals Plymouth (UHP), we are proud to be an accredited Disability Confident Leader (Level 3) which demonstrates our strong commitment to creating a workplace where everyone feels able to bring their whole selves to work.

Disability Confident  is a voluntary scheme designed to encourage organisations to recruit and retain people with disabilities and long-term health conditions.  Developed by employers, disabled people’s representatives and the Government, it supports employers to make the most of the talents people with disabilities can bring to the workplace.

All employers start at Level 1 and progress through the scheme at their own pace. The scheme has been live since 2016 and supports the Government’s commitment to help one million more Disabled people into work within the next ten years.  The journey is as follows:

Level 1: Disability Confident Committed

Level 2: Disability Confident Employer

Level 3: Disability Confident Leader

What we did and why

The Trust first joined the scheme as Disability Confident Committed (Level 1) and progressed to Level 2, Disability Confident Employer in 2020. UHP’s Level 3 accreditation in 2023 required the completion of a comprehensive self-assessment of our recruitment, retention and reporting practices. This involved working collaboratively with teams across the Trust and also consulting with our Disability and Wellbeing Network (DAWN) and staff engagement groups. Our application was externally validated by another Disability Confident Leader along with a pledge to support other employers on their Disability Confident journey.   

Jenny Birchall, Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at the Trust said ‘The latest Workforce Disability Equality Standards review highlights the progress we have made in developing an inclusive workplace over the last three years. The likelihood of Disabled applicants being appointed has improved and the number of colleagues feeling able to share that they have a disability has also increased. This achievement shows we are moving in the right direction and the importance of everyone being consciously inclusive’.

Steven Keith, our Director of People, and Executive Champion of DAWN, said ‘I am delighted we have achieved Leader status.  UHP is committed to making the Trust an exemplar employer and creating an inclusive workplace where everyone can be themselves, feel valued, be able to reach their full potential and make UHP the best place to work. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this fantastic achievement.’

By reviewing our practices, we have adapted our recruitment processes and can offer support and adjustments right from the application stage to interview and ongoing in work support. Todd Hanrahan, Recruitment and Resourcing Manager, who was involved in the submission said ‘We take great pride in being a Disability Confident Leader. This recognition reflects our commitment to creating an inclusive workplace for current and future colleagues. By championing these values, we aim to create recruitment processes that support inclusivity and enable everyone to join or progress within our organisation’.

We are proud to show our continued commitment to championing diversity and the positive action we are taking within our communities to provide outstanding care.

Participating in the Disability Confident scheme can be a great way of demonstrating to applicants and candidates that your organisation is committed to recruiting and retaining disabled talent.