West Thames College is proud to have achieved Disability Confident Leader accreditation, the highest level of the Government’s Disability Confident scheme.
The achievement recognises the College’s ongoing commitment to creating an inclusive workplace, supporting disabled employees and applicants, and promoting greater understanding of disability inclusion.
The Disability Confident scheme, run by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), supports employers to improve how they recruit, retain and develop disabled people and people with long-term health conditions. It consists of three levels: Disability Confident Committed (Level 1), Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and Disability Confident Leader (Level 3).
From Disability Confident Employer to Disability Confident Leader
West Thames College previously held Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) status. This recognised the College's commitment to inclusive recruitment and employment practices, including taking action to ensure disabled people have a fair opportunity to join, develop and progress within the organisation.
Achieving Disability Confident Leader (Level 3) represents the next stage of that journey.
While Level 2 involves completing a self-assessment against the Disability Confident criteria, Level 3 requires an organisation's self-assessment to be independently validated. Employers must also demonstrate that they are employing disabled people, report on disability, mental health and wellbeing, and provide a statement showing how they are demonstrating leadership in disability inclusion.
The Leader level therefore goes beyond an organisation's own employment practices. It encourages employers to act as champions, share good practice and encourage other organisations to improve their approach to disability employment and inclusion. Larger organisations can also support the scheme by validating the self-assessments of other employers.
What this means for West Thames College
For West Thames College, achieving Level 3 reflects the importance placed on equality, inclusion and creating an environment where everyone can contribute and succeed.
The College's Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy commits to ensuring that applicants and employees are not disadvantaged because of conditions or requirements unrelated to their role, and that reasonable adjustments are made to policies, facilities and arrangements to ensure equal access.
This commitment extends across the wider College community. West Thames College provides specialist support and reasonable adjustments for students with disabilities and learning difficulties, helping learners access their courses and participate fully in college life.
The College's Supported Learning provision also provides personalised learning for young people with profound and multiple learning disabilities and severe learning disabilities, with a focus on building confidence, independence and skills for adulthood.
More recently, the College launched its Independence Hub in partnership with the London Borough of Hounslow, providing tailored education and life-skills development for young people with additional needs. The College was also rated Outstanding for its provision for learners with high needs in its December 2024 Ofsted inspection.
Becoming a Disability Confident Leader builds on this wider commitment and provides an opportunity for the College to continue sharing its approach to inclusion with employers and partners across the local community.
As a Level 3 organisation, West Thames College will continue working to strengthen disability inclusion, share good practice and encourage other employers to consider their own Disability Confident journey.
Disability Confident Leader accreditation is not an endpoint, but part of an ongoing commitment to learning, improving and creating a more inclusive environment for disabled people.
