Glossary · UK
What is Disability Confident Employer?
A UK government scheme that accredits employers across three levels for the steps they take to recruit, retain and develop disabled staff.
Full Definition
Disability Confident is a voluntary UK government scheme that employers can join to demonstrate their commitment to recruiting, retaining and developing disabled employees and those with long-term health conditions. It has three levels: Level 1 (Disability Confident Committed) requires an employer to make basic commitments, such as ensuring recruitment processes are inclusive and offering an interview to disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for a role, under the associated 'offer an interview' scheme; Level 2 (Disability Confident Employer) requires the employer to demonstrate it is already taking a range of practical actions, such as training staff on disability awareness and reviewing how it makes reasonable adjustments; and Level 3 (Disability Confident Leader) is the highest level, requiring an external assessment and evidence that the employer is influencing and supporting other businesses to become disability confident as well. Employers self-assess against the published criteria to join Levels 1 and 2, while Level 3 requires validation by another Disability Confident Leader. The scheme does not itself create new legal obligations beyond those already imposed by the Equality Act 2010 (such as the duty to make reasonable adjustments), but accredited employers can use the Disability Confident logo in recruitment materials, and being accredited is often treated by disabled jobseekers as a signal of a genuinely inclusive employer, distinct from the separate Access to Work grant scheme that funds individual workplace support.