Disability Confident scheme
The Disability Confident scheme supports employers to make the most of the talents which disabled people can bring to the workplace. The scheme helps employers to attract, recruit and retain high quality staff who are skilled, loyal and hardworking. Disability Confident Employers are recognised as going the extra mile to make sure that disabled people and those with certain health conditions get a fair chance when applying for job vacancies.
What it means for me
Employers who have signed up to the Disability Confident scheme are committed to equality in the workplace. They encourage applications from the widest possible pool of talent by offering an interview to any job applicant who declares he or she has a disability, provided the applicant meets the essential criteria for the job as defined by the employer. This is known as the Guaranteed Interview Scheme.
Exceptions of the scheme
It's important to note that there may be occasions where it is not practicable or appropriate to interview all disabled people that meet the essential criteria for the job. For example, in certain recruitment situations where there has been a large volume of applicants, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people.
In these circumstances an employer must select the disabled and non disabled applicants who best meet the essential criteria for the job rather than all of those that meet the essential criteria.
Defining a disability
You are disabled under the Equality Act 2010 if you have a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long term adverse effect on your ability to do normal daily activities.
Substantial is more than minor or trivial for example, it takes much longer than it usually would to complete a daily task like getting dressed. Long term means the impairment has lasted or is likely to last for at least 12 months. For more information about what conditions may amount to a disability download the Equality Act Guidance
People with progressive conditions can be classed as disabled. You automatically meet the disability definition under the Equality Act 2010 from the day you’re diagnosed with a HIV infection, cancer or multiple sclerosis.
What you will need to do next
If you are disabled and meet the essential criteria for an advertised role you can opt to tick the yes option for the Guaranteed Interview box on the application form. Subject to the exceptions outlined above, and providing your application demonstrates how you will meet the essential criteria, you will be invited to interview.
You can choose not to use this option, indicating you have a disability. In that case you will be considered for interview in the same way as all other applicants.
How the information will be used
By ticking the box you consent to us using this information helping us to shortlist for interview. We will not use it for any other purpose and, at interview, it will not influence appointment decisions.
No further questions or information about your disability will be asked before or at the interview. You may want to inform us, once invited, that you need reasonable adjustments to attend the interview. If you are the preferred candidate you will be expected to complete a Pre-Employment Health Declaration with our Occupational Health Service, which will assist us with any support you may require in your new role.
Guaranteed Interviews and the Law
The Disability Confident scheme is a government backed initiative which employers can choose to adopt. It is a permitted form of positive action under the Equality Act 2010.
