Improving the Employers Disability Confident Scheme in Wales
- Thursday 23 October 2025
- 08:30 - 09:30
- Audience: Open to the public and staff
- Booking: This event is free
In 2022, the Welsh Government established a Disability Rights Taskforce to explore how employment opportunities for disabled people could be improved. One key recommendation was to reform the UK Government’s Disability Confident scheme and consider a tailored approach for Wales. This session will share the story behind the coproduced research published in June 2025, developed in partnership between Government Social Researchers and disabled members of the Taskforce. With the UK Government now reviewing the scheme as part of wider employment reforms, this event offers timely insights into what’s next.
Speakers
Professor Debbie Foster
Professor of Employment Relations and Diversity
Emma Sullivan
Researcher in the Equality Evidence Unit
Damian Bridgeman
Willow Holloway
In 2022, Welsh Government established a Disability Rights Taskforce (DRT) that was co-chaired by the Minister for Social Justice (Jane Hutt MS) and Professor Debbie Foster of Cardiff Business School. The Taskforce made a series of coproduced recommendations with disabled people in 2024. One was a recommendation that the UK Governments Disability Confident scheme be reformed and strengthened and, consideration be given to establishing an employers’ scheme that might be tailored to meet the needs of Wales.
A unique research partnership was established between Government Social Researchers in the Disability Evidence Unit of Welsh Government and disabled people from the Taskforce, which resulted in the publication of coproduced research by Welsh Government in June 2025, Research Exploring Ways to Improve the Disability Confident Employer Scheme in Wales. This has taken on increased significance since the UK Government has announced its intention to review the Disability Confident Scheme as part of its employment and welfare reforms. So, join us for this Breakfast Briefing to hear the story behind the coproduced research and to discover next steps.
Speakers will include members from the research team: Professor Debbie Foster (CARBS), Sharon Cross (Head of the Equalities Evidence Unit of Welsh Govt.), Emma Sullivan (Researcher in the Equality Evidence Unit), Damian Bridgeman and Willow Holloway (both disabled people who played an active role in the Taskforce).
Contact
- Linda Hellard
- [email protected]
- +44 29208 70976
Location
Cardiff Business School Postgraduate Teaching Centre
Colum Road
Cathays
Cardiff
CF10 3EU