Webinar recording and slides: Supporting employers to recruit disabled people and people with health conditions

This webinar, based on our recently published research report, highlights the emerging evidence and innovative approaches when supporting employers to increase their recruitment of disabled people and people with health conditions. The session explores practical strategies to inform local delivery of employment support programmes, and employer engagement approaches. The webinar recording is available below, the slides and related publications are available to download from the column on the right.

The webinar brought together IES researchers and representatives from North East Chamber of Commerce, Ambition North Wales and Neath Port Talbot Trailblazer, and included a Q&A chaired by Naomi Clayton, CEO of IES.  The webinar is the second in a series delivered through the Department for Work and Pensions’ Labour Market Evidence Programme, which aims to help local policymakers better understand what works in improving labour market outcomes for out-of-work and in-work individuals.

Background

Recently published analysis by DWP shows that disabled people and people with health conditions are more likely to be economically inactive or unemployed than their peers. With over 600,000 people out of work due to long-term sickness saying they would like to work, employers have a key role to play in supporting disabled people and people with health conditions into work. The importance of this role was recognised in the government’s Get Britain Working White Paper (2024), which highlighted that employers need support and guidance to increase their recruitment of disabled people and people with health conditions.

The webinar highlighted: 

• What enables employers to recruit disabled people and people with health conditions
• Effective inclusive recruitment practices
• How Active Labour Market Programme practitioners can support employers with recruitment of disabled people and people with health conditions