Research and analysis

Disability Confident Employer Renewal Research

This report summarises the reasons why employers did not renew membership of the Disability Confident scheme back in 2022.

Documents

Disability Confident Employer Renewal Research

Disability Confident Employer Renewal Research

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Details

Research background 

The Disability Confident scheme was launched in November 2016 by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). It aims to give employers the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to attract, recruit, retain and develop disabled people and people who have long-term health conditions. There are three levels of the scheme, and employers can choose to progress through each level at their own pace. 

Employers that have signed up to the Disability Confident scheme - GOV.UK 

This 2022 DWP In-house research was conducted to better understand why employers did not renew their Disability Employment scheme membership, after a rise in non-renewals in 2021.

Contribution to the evidence base  

The research contributes to the evidence base on how the Disability Confident scheme operates. The research sat alongside a wider review of the scheme that included a survey of scheme members.  

Disability Confident: survey of participating employers, May 2022 - GOV.UK 

Both pieces of research aimed to inform potential changes to the scheme so that it could better meet the needs of employers.

Research value 

Following initial completion of the research, the findings helped the Department understand a rise in non-renewals of the Disability Confident scheme during 2021. While they do not directly inform current Disability Confident reform proposals, they provide useful context and background to support wider thinking.

Updates to this page

Published 29 January 2026

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