Disability Confident Employer Scheme: Complete Guide for UK Employers
What Is Disability Confident?
Disability Confident is a UK government-backed voluntary scheme that encourages employers to think differently about disability and take action to improve how they recruit, retain, and develop disabled people. It is delivered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and is free to join.
Over 19,000 organisations are registered, employing over 11 million people in the UK.
The Three Levels
Level 1: Disability Confident Committed
Self-assessed. No external validation required.
Employers sign up to five commitments:
- Ensure job descriptions do not contain unnecessary barriers
- Offer interviews to disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria (the "guaranteed interview scheme" commitment)
- Provide reasonable adjustments
- Promote a culture of being disability confident
- Support employees who become disabled to stay in work
Time to achieve: Typically 1–2 hours of self-assessment online at gov.uk.
Badge use: Employers may display the Level 1 badge on job adverts, website, and communications.