Peer Learning Network

To find out the latest dates of the networks and taskforces, please visit our Events section. Please note some networks are invitation only.

Aim of the network

To create a community of professionals among Business Disability Forum (BDF) Members and Partners who support one another to improve their knowledge and take learning back to their organisations to improve and influence disability inclusive practices.

Purpose of the peer learning network

• To develop a network of professionals who want to advance their working knowledge of disability inclusion in business practice.
• To equip professionals with knowledge, processes, and skills to develop disability inclusive practices to implement more widely in their organisation.
• To provide advice and leading practices on set topics which equip BDF Members and Partners with the knowledge and skills needed to meet the Disability Confident and Disability Smart assessment frameworks.
• To provide a supportive and confidential space for peer to peer learning where a member of the group can bring a challenge or project they are working on and each business member in the group offers their observations and recommendations for improvement.

Structure of the sessions

The structured learning sessions led by the advice team are split into seven modules which increase based on the Disability Confident and Disability Smart Assessment competencies.

They are:

1. Understanding disability, talent attraction, and recruitment.
2. Understanding how to support and make adjustments for disabled people.
3. Equipping managers with supportive procedures to help staff thrive.
4. Equipping each role in your organisation and remove barriers to staff engagement.
5. Reviewing policies and procedures to mobilise behaviour change in your organisation.
6. Expanding practices beyond your workforce and customer base.
7. Leading change and embedding knowledge and inclusive behaviours across the whole organisation.

Delivery and resources

Sessions will be delivered online in 2.5-hour sessions every other month.

Sessions will be delivered under ‘Chatham House’ rules with each delegate expressly agreeing to treat the session as confidential.

There will be a dedicated area on BDF’s Knowledge Hub only members of the Learning Network to access. This will store resources from the sessions and additional resources created by the advice team in between sessions. The latter includes the advice team doing short videos or sound bites to respond to delegates questions in between sessions.

Cost and attendance

One place in the Learning Network per organisation is included in the price of BDF Membership and Partnership. Delegates can join sessions as and when, but people will get the most out of it if they attend all or most sessions.

The Learning Network is led by Jem Freeman.

Thanks to Lloyds Bank for sponsoring.

If you require this content in a different format, contact enquiries@businessdisabilityforum.org.uk.