Last reviewed: 22 June 2022
- Working with specialist organisations can improve inclusion in your recruitment practices and help connect you with disabled people.
- Services available include training, advice and guidance, support to create internships and work placements for disabled people, and access to job boards specifically targeted at disabled people.
- The organisations listed here are just a few of the specialist recruitment schemes available – have a look at what is running in your local area and sector.
What are specialist recruitment schemes?
When we talk about specialist recruitment schemes, we mean schemes with the purpose of getting disabled people jobs, internships or work experience in the organisations they work with.
Employers can sign up to create work experience placements and internships for disabled people who also sign up to the schemes. The schemes may also provide advice and support for welcoming disabled people to work with them, for example providing workplace adjustments and creating inclusive workplaces.
These schemes may work specifically with disabled students or graduates, or disabled people generally.
What are the benefits?
Specialist recruitment schemes can help employers realise the benefits of employing a more diverse workforce, including more disabled people. They can also give disabled people valuable experience in the workplace.
Disabled people are a relatively untapped source of talent in the workforce, so these schemes can help employers access talent that may otherwise have gone undervalued.
These schemes can also benefit your existing workforce. You likely already employ disabled people and people who will become disabled while working for you. Working with a specialist recruitment scheme can help employers improve disability inclusion and culture in their organisation which also benefits disabled people who already work for them.
What schemes are there?
There are many organisations, schemes and websites dedicated to helping employers hire more disabled people, and supporting disabled people to find work.
As well as those listed here, there may be other schemes run locally or to target specific sectors or demographics. Have a look at what is operating in your area
Be aware that these organisations are not necessarily affiliated with Business Disability Forum. Their inclusion here is not an endorsement – make sure to check that working with them would be suitable for your organisation.
Change 100
One of the main schemes operating in this area is Leonard Cheshire’s Change 100 scheme. This scheme works by working with employers to create paid summer work placements, professional development and mentoring for disabled students and graduates.
Website: leonardcheshire.org/get-support/working/change-100-internships.
ENABLE Works
Part of the ENABLE Group, ENABLE Works provides employability and training services for disabled people in Scotland, with a particular focus on people with learning disabilities. They support individuals to prepare them for work, and support organisations to employ more people with learning disabilities.
Website: enable.org.uk.
Evenbreak
Evenbreak is a website specifically for disabled people to find jobs. Employers can work with them to advertise roles on their site in order to reach more disabled people. They also have resources for employers about good practice for inclusive recruitment.
Website: evenbreak.co.uk/en.
MyPlus Recruiters’ Club
MyPlus is an organisation that helps employers to recruit and develop disabled talent, with a focus on students and graduates. They work with organisations to provide them with the expertise to be disability confident in their strategy, their processes and their engagement with disabled individuals.
MyPlus Recruiters’ Club offers early years recruiters a forum to gain and share insights. With different levels of membership available, employers have access to informative and interactive events, consulting expertise, Toolkits and advice and support. Members can also connect with disabled students and market themselves on www.myplusstudentsclub.com, a career website for disabled students, where they can create a company profile, advertise jobs and careers events, and showcase their disability network.
For more information visit www.myplusconsulting.com or email info@myplusconsulting.com.
Diversity Jobs
Diversity Jobs provides a job board for employers to post adverts. They also offer a subscription service through which employers can receive support and advice about inclusive recruitment.
Website: diversityjobs.com.
More information
For more advice about employing more disabled people, Business Disability Forum Members and Partners can contact their Disability Business Partner to talk about how we can support you to attract more disabled people. You can also contact our Advice Service.
Read next
- Employment agencies and the law
- Monitoring inclusive practices in outsourced recruitment services
- Charter for disability smart recruitment providers
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