HEE receives Disability Confident accreditation

Health Education England’s commitment to the recruitment and retention of disabled staff has been recognised by the government’s Disability Confident scheme. 

The Level 2 accreditation recognises HEE’s efforts to further improve as an employer in order to recruit the right workforce not only with the right numbers and right skills, but with the right values to support effective team working in delivering excellent patient care and experience.

Commenting, Lisa Bayliss-Pratt, Executive Lead for Diversity & Inclusion stated:

“HEE will now play a leading role in improving attitudes for the better across our own organisation, networks and communities, by drawing from the widest possible pool of talent and demonstrating our commitment to treating all employees fairly.

“The accreditation will also enable HEE to play our part in addressing the 30% employment gap for disabled people of working age in the UK, and support our current staff too, as 83% of disabled people acquire their disability whilst in work.”

The Level 2 accreditation was achieved by embedding best practice (in addition to legal obligations) into HEE's business functions.

These encompassed attracting and recruiting disabled people via external organisations. They also included supporting employees to manage their disabilities or health conditions by providing improved support through occupational health sessions, flexible working patterns and agile working.

Work to achieve Level 3 status by becoming a Disability Confident Leader will commence later this year. 

Achieving Level 2 status is one of a number of objectives set out in HEE's Diversity & Inclusion Framework.

For further information about Disability Confident please visit  https://disabilityconfident.campaign.gov.uk/ 

or contact diversity&inclusion@hee.nhs.uk