NEATH PORT TALBOT COUNTY BOROUGH COUNCIL

Personnel Committee

5th September 2016

Report of the Head of Human Resources - Sheenagh Rees

Matter for Information

Wards Affected:

All wards

Disability Confident Employer Status

Purpose of the Report

The purpose of this report is to inform Members of the Council's recent accreditation to become a Disability Confident Employer.

Background

Disability Confident was launched as a campaign by the Government in July 2013. Its aim is to work with employers to challenge attitudes, increase understanding of disability, remove barriers, and ensure that disabled people have the opportunities to fulfil their potential and realise their aspirations.

Disability Confident

Disability Confident encourages employers to attract, recruit and retain disabled people who are eager to work and have the skills, talents and abilities that employers are looking for as there are over 7 million people (17.5%) of working age in the UK who are disabled or have a health condition.

The aim of the Scheme is to:-

engage and encourage employers to become more confident so they employ and retain disabled people;

increase understanding of disability and the benefits of employing or retaining disabled people;

increase the number of employers taking action to be Disability Confident; and

make a substantial contribution towards halving the disability employment gap.

Disability Confident Employer

As the Council was previously a Positive about Disabled People 'Two Ticks' Employer, we have now transitioned to Level 2 of the Disability Confident Scheme to become a Disability Confident Employer. This accreditation will last until 8th August 2017 and before the end of this period, the Council will carry out a self-assessment in order to continue our commitment to the Scheme.

The self-assessment will be based around a set of statements grouped into 2 themes:

getting the right people for your business; and

keeping and developing your people.

Further information on being a Disability Confident Employer is attached as Appendix One.

Financial Impact

There are no financial impacts associated with this report.

Workforce Impacts

Being a Disability Employer will have a positive impact of the workforce of the Council.

Legal Impacts

There are no legal implications in relation to this report.

Risk Management

There are no risks associated with this report.

Consultation

There is no requirement under the Constitution for external consultation on this item.

Recommendations

It is RECOMMENDED that Members NOTE this report.

FOR INFORMATION

Appendices

Appendix One - Information on the Disability Confident Employer Scheme

List of Background Papers

None

Officer Contact

Sheenagh Rees, Head of Human Resources

Tel: 01639 763315

Email: s.rees3@npt.gov.uk