Nottinghamshire County Council achieves Disability Confident Leader accreditation

Nottinghamshire County Council has been named a Disability Confident Leader for its work creating an equal and inclusive working environment for employees.

The accreditation has been awarded by the department of work and pensions as part of its Disability Confident Employer scheme.

The government set out measures to ensure disabled people and those with long-term illnesses have an opportunity to fulfil their potential and realise their aspirations and the council have successfully followed them.

The council will be an accredited Disability Confident Leader for three years, which will help it make the most of the talents of disabled employees in the workplace.

Gordon Wheeler, chairman of the personnel committee, said: “We are extremely proud to have been given Disability Confident Leader accreditation and I would like to thank everybody involved for their hard work in making this possible.

“Nottinghamshire County Council is committed to being a Disability Confident Leader and providing an equal and inclusive working environment – ensuring that people with disabilities or long-term conditions have access to the same opportunities as everybody else.”

The county council will promote the scheme to other local authorities and encourage employers in its supply chain to demonstrate their commitment to equality and inclusivity by signing up to the Disability Confident Scheme.

It will also continue to develop its successful coaching, mentoring and buddy programmes to ensure disabled employees are supported and will offer support to other employers looking to introduce similar initiatives.