The Disability Confident Employer Scheme is a government initiative designed to enable employers to think differently about disability and ‘improve how they attract, recruit and retain disabled workers’ for their skills and talent.

There are three levels to the scheme and an organisation can only move forward after achieving each level.

Helen Shuttleworth, Head of HR at the Youth Sport Trust, said:

We are so proud that our commitment as a charity to disability equality has been recognised and that we are one of the first charities in Leicestershire to be awarded Disability Leader status.

Our HR team, in conjunction with the Disability Working Group, has worked incredibly hard to achieve this status as a key aim of our four-year strategy.

The charity’s new status shows it is changing behaviour and cultures in its workplace, reaping the benefits of inclusive recruitment practices while also influencing other businesses, networks and communities. The scheme supports and highlights organisations’ commitment to:

• The scheme supports and highlights organisations’ commitment to:
• Challenging negative attitudes towards disability
• Promoting disability equality
• 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.

The Youth Sport Trust works to ensure every child enjoys the life-changing benefits that come from play and sport. Next year it will celebrate its 25^th Anniversary and plans to celebrate with schools and communities across Leicestershire as well as nationally.