Knowsley Council has strengthened its commitment to inclusion and diversity in the workplace by achieving level 2 in the Disability Confident Employer scheme.
The Disability Confident scheme supports employers to make the most of the talents people with disabilities can bring to the workplace. The scheme helps employers attract, recruit and retain high quality staff and recognises organisations that go the extra mile to ensure that disabled people, and those with certain health conditions, are supported in work.
Knowsley Council first gained level 1 ‘committed’ employer status in 2019 and has recently presented robust evidence leading to the higher-level award. This has included meeting key requirements, such as actively attracting and recruiting disabled people to help fill job opportunities, providing support in the workplace and ensuring employees have sufficient disability equality awareness training.
The council has also demonstrated its links to neuro diverse groups and support for its disability workers group. A programme of workshops for managers aimed at raising awareness of disability issues is also planned.
Cllr Jayne Aston, Knowsley’s Cabinet Member for Resources said: “We are delighted to have achieved this Disability Confident accreditation as it recognises our commitment as an employer to promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace and supports our efforts to draw from the widest pool of talent when recruiting new staff.”