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Everton have become the first club in the country to be granted ‘Disability Confident Employer’ status.

The award has been made by the Department for Work and Pensions' (DWP) as part of the Disability Confident scheme.

It aims to help employers make the most of the opportunities provided by employing disabled people.

As a sign of Everton’s commitment to employing disabled people, the club will display the Disability Confident logo on all recruitment adverts going forward.

The Blues have been awarded the Level Two status after proving their commitment to actively employing, retaining and supporting disabled people - with disabled candidates being guaranteed job interviews if they meet the criteria for the role on offer.

Beyond the club’s recruitment practices, the award celebrates how Everton has created an inclusive work culture, with training provided for managers to ensure feedback from all disabled colleagues is listened to.

As a Disability Confident Employer Everton will continually self-assess to improve as well as take account of changing advice and guidance.

The Minister for Disabled People, Work and Health, Penny Mordaunt MP, says : “It’s great that Everton Football Club has signed up to be Disability Confident. Being Disability Confident means breaking down the barriers which for too long have held disabled people back, and ensuring everyone has the opportunity to succeed in life.

“Over the last three years nearly 600,000 disabled people have entered work, but there is more to do to halve the disability employment gap. Employers must ensure they don’t miss out on some of the best talent in their community. Disabled people make up a significant proportion of the potential workforce and by extending these opportunities, we can have a Britain that works for everyone.”

Everton’s Deputy Chief Executive and Director, Professor Denise Barrett-Baxendale said: "This is a fantastic achievement, Everton is known as a club of firsts and to be the first football club to be awarded this government status confirms what we already knew – Everton Football Club promotes a disability confident culture in the workplace.

"As the People’s Club, we pride ourselves on our accessible and inclusive employment practices. Disabled employees deserve an equal chance to demonstrate their abilities. This award shows that, at Everton, we employ, support and promote the best people for the job irrespective of the disabilities they face.

“As the first football club to become a ‘Disability Confident Employer’ we look forward to working on becoming a Level Three – ‘Disability Confident Leader’, and we view this as a catalyst for change. Throughout this process we have gained an insight into an important part of our supporter base as well as teaching us to think differently about what disability means to us as a Club.”

The Disability Confident scheme, which was launched in November 2016, has three levels that employers can aim for. Level one is ‘Disability Confident Committed’, level two is ‘Disability Confident Employer’ and level three is ‘Disability Confident Leader’. Businesses of any size can start their disability confident journey by signing up to level 1 online https://disabilityconfident.dwp.gov.uk/register.php