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North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) has once again been recognised as a Disability Confident Leader – a national mark of commitment to supporting disabled people in the workplace.
NEAS first earned this status in 2019. Since then, the organisation has continued to put inclusion front and centre, both by supporting its own staff and helping other employers become more inclusive too.
“Being recognised as a Disability Confident Leader is a huge moment for us. It’s not just about meeting standards, it’s about living our values every day and making sure everyone has a seat at the table.
“This accreditation reflects the voices and efforts of so many people across our organisation. We’ve still got work to do, but we’re proud to be leading the way and helping others get there too.
“Inclusion isn’t a ‘nice-to-have’ it’s essential. Becoming a Disability Confident Leader reinforces our belief that diverse teams make better decisions, build stronger communities, and create workplaces where people genuinely want to be.”
Karen O’Brien, Deputy Chief Executive and lead executive for equality at NEAS.
To keep its leader status, NEAS carried out a number of key actions over the past three years – from making recruitment more accessible and offering reasonable adjustments at interviews, to supporting staff who develop a disability while working and ensuring managers have the training they need. The Trust also puts a strong focus on mental health and wellbeing for all employees.
NEAS uses a number of national tools and frameworks – including the NHS Workforce Disability Equality Standard and the Equality Delivery System – to track progress and keep improving outcomes for disabled colleagues and patients alike.
Being a Disability Confident Leader also means helping others do the same. Over the past few years, NEAS has shared its experience through national case studies, worked closely with local employers, and collaborated through staff networks to spread good practice.
The assessment was carried out by NHS Business Services Authority and the Department for Work and Pensions, as part of the Government’s Disability Confident scheme, which has been running since 2016.
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