Orwell reaccredited as a Disability Confident Leader

We are delighted to share that we have retained our Disability Confident Leader Level 3 status, the highest level of accreditation within the Government Disability Confident Scheme, where employers champion disability inclusion and drive positive change across their sector. Our reaccreditation follows an independent validation process by the Papworth Trust and is valid for another three years.

This national recognition demonstrates our commitment to creating an inclusive culture, removing barriers to make recruitment and employment inclusive and accessible, regardless of disability, health conditions, and/or neurodiversity.

To retain Level 3 Leader status, we demonstrated our commitment by submitting a validation report, to show the variety of ways in which we support applicants and colleagues. This includes:

Our aims and future aspirations on how we will support colleagues through their employment journey, from our people and culture, EDI and health, safety and wellbeing strategies and our EDI statement.
Our clear commitment to making reasonable adjustments to enable everyone to participate, from our recruitment and retention, EDI, wellbeing at work and attendance management policies and procedures.
Removing or reducing any barriers (wherever possible) for people accessing our accommodation, services and employment, through Equality Impact Assessments (EIAs) on all our policies and procedures.
Case studies and lived experiences showing how tailored support and workplace adjustments help colleagues and applicants reach their full potential.
Enabling colleagues to work at times and/or locations that are most suitable via our Agile Working and Flexible Working processes.
Ensuring colleagues can access medical support (including a virtual GP) and counselling sessions, via our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), Health Cash Plan offering, free eye tests for display screen users, Occupational Health support, and Health Surveillance for specific roles, such as Night Worker annual assessments.
Colleagues having a voice and being listened to, with various routes to raise and discuss matters, including our colleague forum (Employee Voice).
Promoting an open culture, where everyone is accepted in a non-judgemental and supportive environment, with our commitment to mandatory colleague training on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (including disability)
Helping people build confidence, gain knowledge, skills and experience in a workplace setting, by providing volunteer placements, work experience, apprenticeships and work trials, and partnering with local Job centres and disability organisations to offer different opportunities, alongside paid employment.

How we spread awareness, reduce stigma, and welcome diversity

Raising awareness via our Knowledge Cafes (external speakers, sharing their stories with colleagues) and our attendance at various external industry focussed EDI network groups, to share best practice, and discuss issues and find solutions.
Advertising all job vacancies on disability specific websites, and attending local recruitment fairs and careers events, to engage with a diverse audience and represent our communities.
Having an accessible website, to ensure that everyone can view or listen to our content and seek support easily if needed.

Diverse teams bring fresh perspectives, challenge thinking, and help us deliver better services to our customers and communities. For Orwell, being a Disability Confident Leader is more than a title, it represents our ongoing commitment to creating a truly inclusive environment where everyone can thrive.

Our EDI Co-ordinator said: “It’s brilliant to be able to publicly share our commitment to ensuring all colleagues are valued, listened to, and supported to develop and thrive at work, and truly represent our customers and communities, this accreditation helps us spread that message far and wide.”

If you’re looking for a career with an inclusive employer, where you’ll be valued, supported, and empowered to succeed, please see our current vacancies here: https://www.orwell-housing.co.uk/work-with-us/

If you would like to find out more about the Disability Confident scheme visit: What is the Disability Confident Scheme? | Business Disability Forum

An easy read version can be found here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a981e3701bbff0bf8f97cc9/disability-confident-employer-scheme-easy-read.pdf