Recruiting talented, motivated and loyal staff is a constant challenge for any business, and it’s no exception for those in Buckinghamshire.
However, there is a pool of talent locally that is not being fully recognised which could be the answer to staffing problems, while also offering a range of other benefits to a business.
Research by Accenture has shown that companies that hire disabled people tend to outperform those that don’t, seeing higher productivity, revenues and profit margins. Inclusive employers also benefit from a better corporate culture and lower employee turnover.
But despite one in five people of working age having a disability, less than 0.5% of Buckinghamshire’s 31,000 firms are signed up to the government’s Disability Confident scheme.
Bringing talent to the workplace
The Disability Confident scheme enables employers to make the most of the talents that disabled people can bring to the workplace - and it is completely free. It provides access to guidance, good practice, resources, and ongoing support.
The Disability Confident scheme helps employers:
- Recruit and retain great people from a wide talent pool
- Have an accessible and supportive recruitment process
- Adapt should employees become disabled
- Reap the benefits of diverse perspectives in the workplace
Living up to Buckinghamshire’s legacy
Interestingly, Buckinghamshire is the birthplace of the Paralympic Games, which began at Stoke Mandeville Hospital in 1948. In the summer of 2024, as part of the Paralympic Games celebrations, Buckinghamshire Business First (BBF) and the National Paralympic Heritage Trust (NPHT) partnered together to boost the number of Disability Confident organisations in Buckinghamshire.
BBF members who signed up to the Disability Confident scheme in the build up to the Paralympic Games also received one year’s free membership into the DICE Club, NPHT’s business club that’s built on the Paralympic values of Determination, Inspiration, Courage and Equality (DICE).
Arrow Planning inspired to take action
High Wycombe-based planning consultancy Arrow Planning registered with the Disability Confident scheme online and received a complimentary year-long membership of the DICE Club.
Office Manager Lia De Simone says: “Our MD, Mark Schmull, became inspired to become Disability Confident at a Business Leaders’ Dinner hosted by BBF. Paralympic Gold Medallist Helene Raynsford was the guest speaker, and it was her insights and experiences that motivated Mark to take action the very next day.
“The registration was extremely straightforward. Immediately afterwards, the DICE Club reached out to us, we met with them and attended their Breakfast Network meeting. That helped us to connect with other local businesses that share the commitment to disability inclusion, so our support network continues to grow.”
Building confidence and breaking down barriers
One of the biggest benefits for Arrow Planning has been a company-wide awareness around both visible and hidden disabilities, as well as of neurodivergence. (NB: Not all neurodiverse individuals consider themselves as having a disability)
Lia explains: “I think it has been a great confidence builder during recruitment and is encouraging us to look further to discover the unique talents out there. It has also extended beyond business into our own lives.”
Arrow Planning also worked with NPHT to arrange for an accessibility audit on their offices and the delivery of a workshop on disability language to Arrow Planning staff which Lia describes as “incredibly insightful”.
She says: “Talking about disability can often feel daunting. Everyone is so scared to say or do the wrong thing, and this workshop gave us the tools and guidance we needed to navigate those conversations with confidence and respect.
“We left with practical ideas to create a more inclusive office environment, helping break down barriers faced by people with disabilities. It was an empowering experience that we believe will make a lasting impact on our workplace culture and our broader local community.”
The answer to recruitment problems
Philippa Batting, CEO of Buckinghamshire Business First, says: “People with disabilities are a vast, overlooked talent pool for Buckinghamshire employers who often face recruitment difficulties.
“By becoming members of the Disability Confident scheme and accessing the support network of organisations like NPHT and other professionals who can share their valuable insights, businesses can tackle recruitment and retention problems while helping disabled individuals thrive as highly motivated, reliable employees. Providing an inclusive workplace culture and fair employment opportunities has also been proven to improve the morale of all staff.
“I would encourage every business to sign up and help to really make a difference, not just for those with disabilities, but for the county as a whole.”
Vicky Hope-Walker, CEO of the National Paralympic Heritage Trust, commented: “As the Birthplace of the Paralympics, Buckinghamshire and its business community have a role to play in upholding a remarkable trailblazing reputation for inclusion. They are uniquely placed to take a lead in building a diverse workforce and showcasing the many benefits. Joining the Disability Confident scheme is a great first step to achieving this.”
How to find more information
To find out more about being a Disability Confident Employer visit the Buckinghamshire Business First website, email [email protected] or call 01494 927130.
Businesses wanting to learn more about hiring people with disabilities can access the Disability Inclusion Guide created in partnership by Buckinghamshire Business First, Buckinghamshire Council and Bucks Skills Hub, which is packed with information and resources.