Unlock the Power of Inclusive Recruitment by Somerset EBP

Are you a Disability Confident Employer?

somersetebp — 2026-01-27 15:53:31 UTC

If you are not yet a Disability Confident employer, let us know how we can support you to become one.

Disability Confident: Guidance on Levels

somersetebp — 2026-01-27 15:57:05 UTC

Disability Confident Employer Scheme

somersetebp — 2026-01-27 15:57:35 UTC

Connect to Work Programme Presentation

hattiewinter — 2026-02-19 09:55:09 UTC

Debra Scarratt

Discovery Presentation

hattiewinter — 2026-02-19 10:04:32 UTC

Shona Howes, Discovery

https://discovery-uk.org/what-we-do/supported-employment/

WPA Presentation

hattiewinter — 2026-02-19 10:17:45 UTC

Tracy Sheen, WPA

https://www.wpa.org.uk/

TRP Research Presentation

hattiewinter — 2026-02-19 10:19:27 UTC

Jenn Murray-Smith, TRP Research

https://trpresearch.com/

Singer Instruments Presentation

hattiewinter — 2026-02-19 11:36:16 UTC

https://www.singerinstruments.com/

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somersetebp — 2026-02-23 09:03:36 UTC

Post your pledge below

somersetebp — 2026-02-23 09:12:17 UTC

Add a new post with your response

somersetebp — 2026-02-23 09:12:53 UTC

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somersetebp — 2026-02-23 09:12:58 UTC

Employers Guide to Supported Employment

somersetebp — 2026-02-23 09:15:56 UTC

Somerset Supported Employment

somersetebp — 2026-02-23 09:16:15 UTC

A selection of videos including information about Supported Employment in Somerset from the Imagine the Possibilities team at Somerset Council.

Imagine the Possibilities

somersetebp — 2026-02-23 09:22:35 UTC

Find out more about Supported Employment and how Somerset Supported Employment can assist you in offering supported traineeships, internships and apprenticeships.

Feedback Survey

somersetebp — 2026-02-23 09:25:03 UTC

Coffee and Collaboration Event - February 2026 – Fill in form

Please complete the survey to ensure you receive the support you need after this event.

Imagine the Possibilities Presentation

somersetebp — 2026-02-23 09:29:39 UTC

Julie Young, Somerset Council

https://www.somerset-ebp.co.uk/imagine-the-possibilities

Bristol Website Design

somersetebp — 2026-02-23 13:02:38 UTC

Paul Titmuss

https://bristol-website-design.co.uk/

Event Agenda

somersetebp — 2026-02-23 13:04:23 UTC

We would love to talk to employers who want to find out more about internships. Julie.young@somerset.gov.uk

2026-02-24 11:21:56 UTC

Risk assessments- barrier to complete with new recruits. SEQF

2026-02-24 11:23:46 UTC

Custody - risks & what they can do/can’t do

Myth breaking- need more support/ a lot of time off.

Can we give them the time & support.

Capacity to make the placement meaningful. Time to teach the skills isn’t always there.

NHS - recruitment needs to be streamlined

2026-02-24 11:26:12 UTC

Staff retention

2026-02-24 11:26:48 UTC

Not a problem for all employers.

2026-02-24 11:30:50 UTC

Perceptions of industry not attracting diverse workforce

Being an inclusive employer

2026-02-24 11:35:54 UTC

Moving up from level 1 to level 2 etc. Not always easy.

Bespoke to individual employers.

Needing 2 email addresses can put small employers off.

Understanding reasonable adjustments & how to adapt interviews.

Pay, work life balance, cross department tension, differing priorities, lack of understanding/appreciation for other job roles

2026-02-24 11:37:02 UTC

Create opportunities

2026-02-24 11:41:34 UTC

support to understand needs and offer the in work support to help people sustain work.

Soft skills- people who will answer the phone etc.

People who understand what the expectations of being employed are.

Step Up Somerset

2026-02-24 11:44:17 UTC

2026-02-24 11:49:34 UTC

To become a Disability Confident Employer

To sign up to become a disability confident employer

2026-02-24 11:57:03 UTC

Transport

2026-03-09 11:46:44 UTC

Singer - the biggest challenges for us is transportation. Ideally people need their own transport to get to us - buses are impractical and unreliable

Perfect

2026-03-09 11:48:58 UTC

Singer, TRP and Bristol Web design all said no challenges with retention. They look after their employees and they do 'what is right' which means everyone feels supported and respected.

More Visibility

2026-03-09 11:54:39 UTC

Talent will move - it is important for Somerset to really showcase the array of employers, specialities and job roles available in Somerset.

More investment and focus in skills

2026-03-09 11:57:51 UTC

Along with educational skills we are not teaching application/selling skills.

There needs to be more focus on bringing out transferable skills and selling these - essential for all ages and backgrounds. Especially for those people who are changing careers - there is more of a story to tell.

IT skills

2026-03-09 12:00:24 UTC

There needs to be more focus on effective use of digital skills

it was noted young people use AI but don't tailor their letters or follow the instructions - often leaving AI instructions in their documents.
It was also noted young people did not read instructions for applications or understand how to upload documents which is fundamental.

More support for medium, small and micro employers

2026-03-09 12:03:46 UTC

There needs to be a reflection and sharing mechanism amongst employers so they feel more informed and empowered to engage. Employers need to understand where they can add value. - A business newsletter sharing good practice and ideas would be good

Applications not getting feedback

2026-03-09 12:05:33 UTC

It is time consuming for employers to do this, can their be some central top tips and feedback which a link can be shared to. So applicants are getting something as not cost effective for many orgs to do individual feedback.

Networking

2026-03-09 12:06:55 UTC

More opportunities to network and link-up with projects but need to see who else is out there to do this and it is not visible. Met orgs at this event that people did not know existed.

More support from schools and colleges

2026-03-09 12:09:04 UTC

Feedback from apprentices was that colleges only touched on applications etc on one-off lessons - not a key theme all the way through education. Putting your personality on paper is a difficult skill - need more visibility of this - needs to be an ongoing focus with learning

We do what is right

2026-03-09 12:09:52 UTC

For TRP, Singer and Bristol Web Design - they all stated they did what is right for the individuals. They need more support with Disability Confident - they would like to see more case studies and support on what evidence is required at each stage and how this can be demonstrated. They felt there needed to be more sharing of good practice and support to allow them to be the best they could be. All wanted to progress in DC

Engagement Skills

2026-03-09 12:11:56 UTC

Seeing high levels of anxiety in applicants - they are just not used to being in a work environment. Could they have sector visits etc so they understand working environments?

Disability Confident

2026-03-09 12:13:12 UTC

TRP, Bristol Web Design and Singer would all like to increase their DC level, but need help to achieve this by understanding evidence required and documentation