Rochford District Council was presented on Friday 19 June with a Disability Symbol by Jobcentre Plus.

The presentation took place at the Rochford District Council offices in South Street. 

Rochford District Council employees with their award

The Disability Symbol is awarded to those organisations which can demonstrate and agree to continue to meet five commitments regarding the recruitment, employment, retention and career development of disabled people. 

The award follows an application process where the Council’s Human Resources team were interviewed by a team from JobCentre Plus, one of which was the local Disability Employment Advisor where the Council’s staff policies, procedures, practices and plans were discussed. 

Following the meeting the Disability Employment Adviser wrote a report on the findings and put forward a recommendation to the JobCentre Plus District Office, who assessed the application and made the overall decision that the Council should be awarded the Disability Symbol. 

Terry Cutmore, Leader of the Council said: “It is with great pleasure that Rochford District Council, its employees and members alike, acknowledges this recognition for work that has been done to improve the lives of those less advantaged by circumstance.” 

Susan Fry, Jobcentre Plus Manager, Southend said: “Over 50 per cent of disabled people of working age in Britain are not in work. It is in the interests of everyone; individuals, businesses and society as a whole, that the number of disabled people in the workplace increases. 

“Jobcentre Plus is delighted to be presenting the Disability Symbol to Rochford District Council. By using the symbol it makes it clear that you welcome applications from people with disabilities and are positive about their abilities. It also shows existing employees that you value their contribution and will treat them fairly should they become disabled.”