How to sign up to the Disability Confident employer scheme - GOV.UK
Source: https://disabilityconfident.campaign.gov.uk
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:36
How to sign up to the Disability Confident employer scheme - GOV.UK
Cookies on GOV.UK
We use some essential cookies to make this website work.
We’d like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services.
We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services.
You have accepted additional cookies.
You can
change your cookie settings
at any time.
You have rejected additional cookies.
You can
change your cookie settings
at any time.
View cookies
Skip to main content
Guidance
How to sign up to the Disability Confident employer scheme
Guidance about signing up for the Disability Confident scheme, and how it can help your business.
From:
Department for Work and Pensions
Published
14 July 2016
Last updated
25 November 2019
—
See all updates
The Disability Confident scheme supports employers to make the most of the talents disabled people can bring to your workplace.
Disability Confident employers of all sizes are:
challenging attitudes towards disability
increasing understanding of disability
removing barriers to disabled people and those with long-term health conditions
ensuring that disabled people have the opportunities to fulfil their potential and realise their aspirations
This guide is also available in
easy read format
.
Sign up to the Disability Confident scheme
Disability Confident organisations play a leading role in changing attitudes for the better. They’re changing behaviour and cultures in their own businesses, networks and communities, and reaping the benefits of inclusive recruitment practices.
Signing up to Disability Confident Committed (Level 1) is straightforward and will only take a few minutes.
Sign up to become Disability Confident Committed
Why you should become Disability Confident
Being Disability Confident could help you discover someone your business just can’t do without.
Whether an employee has become disabled during their working life, or you’re looking for new recruits, being Disability Confident can help your people fulfil their potential and contribute fully to your team’s success.
By being Disability Confident, you’ll also be seen as leading the way in your business sector and beyond, helping to positively change attitudes, behaviours and cultures.
Disability Confident helps businesses:
draw from the widest possible pool of talent
secure and retain high quality staff who are skilled, loyal and hard working
save time and money on the costs of recruitment and training by reducing staff turnover
keep valuable skills and experience
reduce the levels and costs of sickness absences
improve employee morale and commitment by demonstrating that they treat all employees fairly
How to become Disability Confident
The scheme has 3 levels designed to support you at every step on your Disability Confident journey. You must complete each level before moving on to the next.
Our guidance explains which commitments you must agree to and which actions you need to take at each level
.
Level 1: Disability Confident Committed
To be recognised as Disability Confident Committed, you must agree to the Disability Confident commitments and identify at least one action that you’ll carry out to make a difference for disabled people.
The commitments are:
inclusive and accessible recruitment
communicating vacancies
offering an interview to disabled people
providing reasonable adjustments
supporting existing employees
The activities include (you must identify at least one):
work experience
work trials
paid employment
apprenticeships
job shadowing
traineeships
internships
student placements
sector-based work academy placements
Your business may be doing these things already. If so, the scheme is a great way of letting everyone know that you’re serious about equal opportunities for disabled people.
Once you’ve signed up as Disability Confident Committed you’ll receive:
confirmation of your membership and a Disability Confident certificate in recognition of your achievement
a Disability Confident Committed (level 1) badge that you can use on your business stationery, social media and communications for 3 years
information to help you continue your journey to becoming a Disability Confident Employer
Sign up to become Disability Confident Committed
Level 2: Disability Confident Employer
Once you’ve signed up for level 1 you can progress to level 2, a Disability Confident Employer, by self-assessing your organisation around 2 themes:
getting the right people for your business
keeping and developing your people
Disability Confident Employers are recognised as going the extra mile to make sure disabled people get a fair chance.
Having confirmed you’ve completed your online self-assessment, you’ll be registered as a Disability Confident Employer for 3 years. You’ll receive:
confirmation of the completion of your self-assessment to become a Disability Confident Employer
a certificate in recognition of your achievement
a Disability Confident Employer (level 2) badge that you can use on your business stationery, social media and communications for 3 years
information on how to become a Disability Confident Leader
Update your status and confirm the completion of your self-assessment to become a Disability Confident Employer
Level 3: Disability Confident Leader
By becoming a Disability Confident Leader, you’ll be acting as a champion within your local and business communities.
To reach this level you’ll need to:
have your self-assessment validated by someone outside of your business (not including
DWP
employees in jobcentres)
provide a short narrative to show what you have done or will be doing to support your status as a Disability Confident Leader
confirm you are employing disabled people
report on disability, mental health and wellbeing, by referring to the
Voluntary Reporting Framework
Once you’re recognised as a Disability Confident Leader, you’ll be sent:
confirmation of the completion and validation of your self-assessment to become a Disability Confident Leader
a certificate in recognition of your achievement
a Disability Confident Leader (level 3) badge that you can use on your business stationery, social media and communications for 3 years
Update your status and confirm the completion and validation of your self-assessment to become a Disability Confident Leader
Advice on employing disabled people
Read our guidance on
employing disabled people and people with health conditions
.
Discover the
help and support for young disabled people to find and stay in work
.
Read help and advice from ACAS for employers and employees on
disability discrimination
.
Get advice on creating
inclusive communications
.
Updates to this page
Published 14 July 2016
Last updated 25 November 2019
+
show all updates
25 November 2019
Replaced the bullet points in section 'Level 3: Disability Confident Leader' to reflect the updated level 3 requirements.
7 March 2018
Added information about workplace adjustments events in March 2018 to the 'Disability Confident activities' section.
3 October 2017
Added a new section about Disability Confident activities.
6 February 2017
Added Welsh versions of the Disability Confident employer packs for levels 1, 2 and 3.
2 November 2016
Added links to level 2 and 3 sign up forms. Updated the PDF employer packs. Added links to lists of service providers and businesses that have signed up.
1 August 2016
Published updated versions of the level 1, level 2 and level 3 employer packs.
14 July 2016
First published.
Sign up for emails or print this page
Contents
Related content
Is this page useful?
Maybe
Thank you for your feedback
Help us improve GOV.UK
To help us improve GOV.UK, we’d like to know more about your visit today.
Please fill in this survey (opens in a new tab
)
.
Cookies on GOV.UK
We use some essential cookies to make this website work.
We’d like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services.
We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services.
You have accepted additional cookies.
You can
change your cookie settings
at any time.
You have rejected additional cookies.
You can
change your cookie settings
at any time.
View cookies
Skip to main content
Guidance
How to sign up to the Disability Confident employer scheme
Guidance about signing up for the Disability Confident scheme, and how it can help your business.
From:
Department for Work and Pensions
Published
14 July 2016
Last updated
25 November 2019
—
See all updates
The Disability Confident scheme supports employers to make the most of the talents disabled people can bring to your workplace.
Disability Confident employers of all sizes are:
challenging attitudes towards disability
increasing understanding of disability
removing barriers to disabled people and those with long-term health conditions
ensuring that disabled people have the opportunities to fulfil their potential and realise their aspirations
This guide is also available in
easy read format
.
Sign up to the Disability Confident scheme
Disability Confident organisations play a leading role in changing attitudes for the better. They’re changing behaviour and cultures in their own businesses, networks and communities, and reaping the benefits of inclusive recruitment practices.
Signing up to Disability Confident Committed (Level 1) is straightforward and will only take a few minutes.
Sign up to become Disability Confident Committed
Why you should become Disability Confident
Being Disability Confident could help you discover someone your business just can’t do without.
Whether an employee has become disabled during their working life, or you’re looking for new recruits, being Disability Confident can help your people fulfil their potential and contribute fully to your team’s success.
By being Disability Confident, you’ll also be seen as leading the way in your business sector and beyond, helping to positively change attitudes, behaviours and cultures.
Disability Confident helps businesses:
draw from the widest possible pool of talent
secure and retain high quality staff who are skilled, loyal and hard working
save time and money on the costs of recruitment and training by reducing staff turnover
keep valuable skills and experience
reduce the levels and costs of sickness absences
improve employee morale and commitment by demonstrating that they treat all employees fairly
How to become Disability Confident
The scheme has 3 levels designed to support you at every step on your Disability Confident journey. You must complete each level before moving on to the next.
Our guidance explains which commitments you must agree to and which actions you need to take at each level
.
Level 1: Disability Confident Committed
To be recognised as Disability Confident Committed, you must agree to the Disability Confident commitments and identify at least one action that you’ll carry out to make a difference for disabled people.
The commitments are:
inclusive and accessible recruitment
communicating vacancies
offering an interview to disabled people
providing reasonable adjustments
supporting existing employees
The activities include (you must identify at least one):
work experience
work trials
paid employment
apprenticeships
job shadowing
traineeships
internships
student placements
sector-based work academy placements
Your business may be doing these things already. If so, the scheme is a great way of letting everyone know that you’re serious about equal opportunities for disabled people.
Once you’ve signed up as Disability Confident Committed you’ll receive:
confirmation of your membership and a Disability Confident certificate in recognition of your achievement
a Disability Confident Committed (level 1) badge that you can use on your business stationery, social media and communications for 3 years
information to help you continue your journey to becoming a Disability Confident Employer
Sign up to become Disability Confident Committed
Level 2: Disability Confident Employer
Once you’ve signed up for level 1 you can progress to level 2, a Disability Confident Employer, by self-assessing your organisation around 2 themes:
getting the right people for your business
keeping and developing your people
Disability Confident Employers are recognised as going the extra mile to make sure disabled people get a fair chance.
Having confirmed you’ve completed your online self-assessment, you’ll be registered as a Disability Confident Employer for 3 years. You’ll receive:
confirmation of the completion of your self-assessment to become a Disability Confident Employer
a certificate in recognition of your achievement
a Disability Confident Employer (level 2) badge that you can use on your business stationery, social media and communications for 3 years
information on how to become a Disability Confident Leader
Update your status and confirm the completion of your self-assessment to become a Disability Confident Employer
Level 3: Disability Confident Leader
By becoming a Disability Confident Leader, you’ll be acting as a champion within your local and business communities.
To reach this level you’ll need to:
have your self-assessment validated by someone outside of your business (not including
DWP
employees in jobcentres)
provide a short narrative to show what you have done or will be doing to support your status as a Disability Confident Leader
confirm you are employing disabled people
report on disability, mental health and wellbeing, by referring to the
Voluntary Reporting Framework
Once you’re recognised as a Disability Confident Leader, you’ll be sent:
confirmation of the completion and validation of your self-assessment to become a Disability Confident Leader
a certificate in recognition of your achievement
a Disability Confident Leader (level 3) badge that you can use on your business stationery, social media and communications for 3 years
Update your status and confirm the completion and validation of your self-assessment to become a Disability Confident Leader
Advice on employing disabled people
Read our guidance on
employing disabled people and people with health conditions
.
Discover the
help and support for young disabled people to find and stay in work
.
Read help and advice from ACAS for employers and employees on
disability discrimination
.
Get advice on creating
inclusive communications
.
Updates to this page
Published 14 July 2016
Last updated 25 November 2019
+
show all updates
25 November 2019
Replaced the bullet points in section 'Level 3: Disability Confident Leader' to reflect the updated level 3 requirements.
7 March 2018
Added information about workplace adjustments events in March 2018 to the 'Disability Confident activities' section.
3 October 2017
Added a new section about Disability Confident activities.
6 February 2017
Added Welsh versions of the Disability Confident employer packs for levels 1, 2 and 3.
2 November 2016
Added links to level 2 and 3 sign up forms. Updated the PDF employer packs. Added links to lists of service providers and businesses that have signed up.
1 August 2016
Published updated versions of the level 1, level 2 and level 3 employer packs.
14 July 2016
First published.
Sign up for emails or print this page
Contents
Related content
Is this page useful?
Maybe
Thank you for your feedback
Help us improve GOV.UK
To help us improve GOV.UK, we’d like to know more about your visit today.
Please fill in this survey (opens in a new tab
)
.