RBH accredited as a Disability Confident Leader

RBH Chief Executive Gareth Swarbrick

Mutual housing society RBH have become the first housing association to be accredited as a Disability Confident Leader. The announcement marks the start of RBH support for this year's National Inclusion Week.

The government's Disability Confident scheme supports employers to make the most of the talents that disabled people can bring to the workplace. 7.7m working age people in the UK have a disability.

Disability Confident Leader is the highest level an organisation can achieve within the scheme. RBH were already accredited as a Disability Confident Employer, and had embraced the predecessor scheme, Positive About Disabled People.

As a Disability Confident Leader, RBH have demonstrated their commitment through an inclusive recruitment process, support within the workplace for employees with disabilities, and an ongoing programme of training and continuous development for all employees.

Gareth Swarbrick, RBH Chief Executive, said: "Our Disability Confident Leader accreditation highlights the great strides we've made to deliver both an inclusive recruitment process and the support that disabled people and those with long-term health conditions need to thrive as RBH employees."

Rosie Clarke, Head of Inclusion and Diversity Services (North) for Inclusive Employers, said: “Inclusive Employers are proud that the hard work for RBH has led to their accreditation as a Disability Confident Leader. We have been working with RBH for a number of years to support their diversity and inclusion strategy and their commitment is unwavering. We are extremely happy the effort has been recognised.”

National Inclusion Week is organised by Inclusive Employers, and runs this year from 28 September to 4 October. The week is designed to celebrate everyday inclusion in all its forms.