News | Wednesday, 10th August 2022
University awarded highest Disability Confident Scheme status
Manchester Met demonstrating commitment as a leader on disability employment
Manchester Metropolitan has once again been awarded the Disability Confident Leader status.
Disability Confident is a Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) scheme that supports employers to make the most of the talents disabled people bring to the workplace.
The University was first awarded leader status in 2019 and recently succeeded in being awarded the highest level again, until 2025.
The renewal included an independently validated self-assessment explaining how Manchester Met is demonstrating its commitment as a leader, a subsequent action plan to address areas it needs to develop and how it is publicly reporting on disability employment.
In several areas, the University was identified as demonstrating best practice within the sector, including:
- Data Reporting – for the first time ever, the University reported on its Disability Pay Gap in March 2022, which is beyond the statutory duty to report on the Gender Pay Gap.
- Capturing the Staff Voice – highlighting the work the Disabled Staff Forum does to ensure the disabled staff voice is captured, along with the work to raise the awareness of disability at Manchester Met through activities such as UK Disability History Month and International Day of Disabled People.
- Inclusive Recruitment – consistently offering reasonable adjustments at each stage of the recruitment process and offering an interview to all disabled candidates who meet the minimum essential criteria for any given job role.
- Bridging the Gap Programme – offering work experience to special educational needs students from Manchester. The programme, which has seen 70 students work with the University since it was introduced in 2011, returned this academic year for the first since COVID.
These achievements are thanks to the continued focus and commitment to disability, mental health and neurodiversity inclusion across the University. Read about the key priorities for 2022 and further disability data reporting in the Annual Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Report.
Professor Jenny Watling, Pro-Vice-Chancellor International at Manchester Met and Chair of the University’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy Board, said: “We are incredibly pleased to have renewed our Disability Confident Leader Level status until 2025. It’s an important piece of work that reinforces our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, specifically in relation to disability, mental health and neurodiversity."
Pam Flynn, Chief People Officer at Manchester Met, said: “Ensuring that we recruit, retain and develop diverse talent is extremely important, and the recommendations drawn from our independent validation will allow us to further develop our recruitment processes to be even more inclusive for disabled people and once appointed, support retention and further development.
“Finally, we would like to say a big thank you and well done to all the colleagues involved in the renewal submission, the work carried out will have an institution-wide impact for disabled people.”
Being a leader of the scheme means the University plays a leading role in changing attitudes for the better. In line with Manchester Met’s Road to 2030 strategy and the new Inclusive and Diverse Culture strategy, the University will create a culture of belonging that promotes equality.
Working with the Business Disability Forum (BDF)
The University has extended its membership with BDF until 2024. This is a significant investment that will ensure Manchester Met stays up to date and uses BDF’s specialist advice and guidance.
BDF provided the independent validation of the submission which included several recommendations that are now part of Manchester Met’s disability confident action plan. This will be embedded other areas, including the work towards the Race Equality Charter and the Athena Swan Charter to improve intersectionality.
The Disabled Staff Forum continues to be a driving force for disability equality, and meets regularly to discuss mutual disability-related topics and solutions, coordinate awareness-raising events, and consult on institutional-wide policies, strategies, and projects. The forum has coordinated a wide range of activities to mark UK Disability History Month, International Day of Disabled People and most recently, Disability Pride Month.
For more information, email equalities@mmu.ac.uk.
