The University of Bath is committed to achieving an educational and working environment which provides equality of opportunity and freedom from unlawful discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, nationality, ethnic origin, gender, marital status, disability, religious or political beliefs, age, sexual orientation or offending background.
We are an accredited Disability Confident Leader (level 3) and we are committed to building disability confidence and supporting disabled staff.
The University of Bath gained their Level 3 Disability Confident Leader status in July 2020 and are now taking an active leadership role in encouraging and helping other employers on their journey to becoming Disability Confident. With this status, we hope to further demonstrate our commitment to an inclusive workplace environment. We continue to work with other organisations to ensure each employee has the support and provisions they need to achieve their potential and know that they belong.
The Disability Confident scheme has been live since November 2016. It supports the Government’s commitment to help one million more disabled people into work within the next ten years.
The University of Bath had previously operated under the Disability Symbol ‘Two Ticks’ scheme and were keen to move over to the Disability Confident Scheme in order to continue to attract, recruit, retain and promote disabled people within the workplace.
The University of Bath gained their Level 3 Disability Confident Leader status in July and are taking an active leadership role in encouraging and helping other employers on their journey to becoming Disability Confident.
What we did and why
All employers start at Level 1 and progress through the scheme at their own pace. The journey is as follows:
- Level 1: Disability Confident Committed
- Level 2: Disability Confident Employer
- Level 3: Disability Confident Leader
Process followed for the Disability Confident Leader status
Process stage 1
For the Disability Confident Leader level the Disability Confident Employer self-assessment document was required to be completed and submitted as part of the validation.
Process stage 2
We compiled information within the self-assessment template over a two year period and collated all evidence as supporting documentation.
Process stage 3
A meeting was arranged with an independent external assessor, PLUSS, to challenge and validate the criteria and evidence provided within the Disability Confident Employer self-assessment document. The assessor reviewed the submitted self-assessment and supporting documents.
Confirmation from our assessor was received:
‘I am very happy to validate your self-assessment to take you from level 2 to level 3. It is one of the best self-assessments I have seen recently. Extremely thorough and what struck me is the amount of work, research and training that the university is doing to bring policy into tangible working practice in partnership with disability user groups and employees. It is great to see the pro-active approach you are taking to level the playing field for people with disabilities and health conditions, and ensuring the whole university is Disability Confident.’ Geraldine Scott-Smith, Public Affairs & Digital Marketing Manager, Pluss
We then submitted the outcome on the GOV.UK website. Following this DWP forwarded the official certificate separately.
Now the University of Bath has become a leader we plan to work with other employers to promote and encourage them to sign up and progress through the scheme. As an incentive, employers who sign-up to the Disability Confident scheme will also have access to specialist information from Disability Confident Leader organisations about specific topics, such as:
- workplace adjustments
- mental heath in the workplace
- recruitment and retention, and much more
The Disability Confident scheme is an example of the University demonstrating commitment to ensure disabled people are treated fairly and have access to the same opportunities as non-disabled people. By using the Disability Confident logo we make it clear that we welcome disabled applicants for all roles across the University.
In particular we will:
- Ensure that our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible
- Guarantee to offer an interview to all applicants with a disability provided they meet the essential criteria for a role
- anticipate and provide reasonable adjustment as required
- support any existing employee who acquires a disability or long term health condition enabling them to stay in work.
Disabled applicants should indicate in the Equality of Opportunity section of the application form if they wish their application to be given consideration under the Disability Confident scheme.
If you are invited to interview, please advise the recruitment administrator what adjustment you would require at the interview in as much detail as possible to enable arrangements to be put into place.
As part of our commitment to Disability Confidence, we ask all applicants if they want to be considered under this scheme. By opting-in to this scheme, you are disclosing that you have a disability solely for the purpose of the interview guarantee and we will not assume nor infer that you wish to disclose or record your disability in any other way – including any reasonable adjustments you may need if you are employed.
For feedback on job applications submitted under the Disability Confident scheme, please contact: Sarah Sutton, Head of Talent Acquisition