The ‘Positive about Disability’ scheme known as the ‘Two Ticks’ scheme was replaced by the Disability Confident Scheme on 2nd November 2016; effective from 1st July 2017.
There are three levels of scheme membership, graded on what an organisation can demonstrate it is doing to support people with disabilities in work. As a previous signatory to the Two Ticks’ scheme, NHS Lothian was granted Level 2 – Disability Confident Employer status.
As a Disability Confident Employer, NHS Lothian has committed to actively:
- Practice all of the core actions to be a disability confident employer
- Offer at least one activity from a provided list to get the right people for the organisation
- Offer at least one activity from a provided list to keep and develop staff
- Successfully complete the Disability Confident self-assessment document to maintain our status as Disability Confident Employer
Level 2 Disability Confident Employer status requires the employer to demonstrate progression by undertaking a self-assessment process against a set of statements. The employer will also need to demonstrate that they are taking positive action to attract, recruit and retain people with disabilities.
Once an organisation meets the criteria for this stage they will be awarded a badge for two years.
NHS Lothian is able to demonstrate that it is practicing ALL of the Level 2 Core Actions as well as ALL the Activities required to get the right people for the organisation and retain and develop them as well.
CURRENT NHS LOTHIAN STATUS: LIVE MEMBERSHIP VALID UP TO OCTOBER 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is a Disability Confident Scheme?
The Disability Confident Scheme aims to help employers make the most of the opportunities provided by employing people with disabilities. It is a voluntary scheme, and has been developed by employers and disabled people’s representatives. There are three levels to the scheme.
The scheme has a requirement for ALL core actions and AT LEAST ONE activity from a list are being practiced. There are two themes:
- Getting the right people for your business
- Keeping and developing your people
2. Under the terms of the Scheme, what has NHS Lothian committed to do for external/internal job applicants?
For all external and internal applicants NHS Lothian has committed to:
- Interview all applicants with a disability who meet the ‘essential criteria’ on a person specification and consider them on their abilities
- Provide a fully inclusive and accessible recruitment process
- Be flexible when assessing people, so that disable job applicants have the best opportunity to demonstrate they can so the job
- Make reasonable adjustments in the workplace as required
Further Information on Shortlisting
3. If I am appointed what will NHS Lothian do for me?
If you are appointed NHS Lothian will:
- Ensure that there is a mechanism in place to discuss, at any time, but at least once a year, with employees with disabilities what can be done to ensure that they develop and use their abilities
- Make every effort when an employee becomes disabled to ensure that they stay in employment
- Take action to ensure that all employees develop an appropriate level of disability awareness to make these commitments work; review the commitments annually and plan ways to improve the experience for people with disabilities – this will include consulting with key groups as necessary.
For more information please see our Equality & Diversity pages
4. What is classed as a disability?
Someone is considered to have a disability under the Equality Act 2010 if they have a physical or mental impairment that has a ‘substantial’ or ‘long term’ adverse effect on their ability to carry out normal day to day activities. That means that:
- The person must have an impairment that is either physical or mental
- Impairment must have adverse effects that are substantial
- Substantial adverse effects must be long term e.g., it takes much longer to complete a daily task such as getting dressed than it would normally take
- Long term substantial effects must be effects on normal day to day activities such as a breathing condition that develops as a result of a lung infection.
Disabilities can be visible or invisible – mental ill health is an unreported but common issue.
5. Why has NHS Lothian decided to become a Disability Confident Employer?
NHS Lothian was a member of the ‘Two Ticks’ scheme, which has been replaced by the Disability Confident scheme. NHS Lothian sees being a Disability Confident Employer as an opportunity to demonstrate a commitment to ensure that disabled people are treated fairly and have access to the same opportunities as non-disabled people. This includes new applicants and existing staff.
6. What does it mean if the Disability Confident logo is on a job advert?
This means that NHS Lothian will guarantee to interview all disabled applicants – provided they meet the essential criteria for the post and provided they have indicated in the appropriate section of the application form that they have a disability. Applicants do not need to give any further information or declare the nature of their disability at this stage.
7. What if I am already employed by NHS Lothian?
The guaranteed interview commitment also applies to existing employees – provided they meet the essential criteria for the post, and provided they have indicated in the appropriate section of the application form that they have a disability.
8. What if I need adjustments to be made for the interview?
If you are invited to interview your letter will ask you to advise the recruitment team what adjustment(s) you will require at the interview to allow you to attend.
NHS Lothian will endeavour to comply and will discuss any difficulties they have meeting your requirements with you. Examples of adjustments that can be made.
