By Doreen Shiels

Director of People and Culture, Glasgow Kelvin College

Glasgow Kelvin College is a Disability Confident Employer, and it takes a proactive and multifaceted approach to promoting disclosure. This journey begins during our recruitment process, where candidates are encouraged to share any reasonable adjustments they may need. They are also asked to complete an equal opportunity form that outlines our commitment to supporting individuals with disabilities. Current staff can access the online portal anytime to update their records. 

To promote transparency, we have integrated disclosure opportunities across various people-focused policies and procedures to enable our staff to disclose a disability or long-term condition at any point during their employment. Our supportive processes allow staff to share information when they seek the assistance they need, which has greatly enhanced our disclosure rates.

We provide college-wide disability awareness training to create a more understanding, open, and supportive environment. Management training is provided to ensure managers are comfortable engaging in discussions with their teams and are well-informed about the support available. The People and Culture Team collaborates closely with managers and staff to identify the best approaches, emphasising the individual rather than their condition.

We ensure that all disclosures are treated with strict confidentiality and are used solely to provide the necessary support.  This approach has fostered a culture of trust and inclusivity, resulting in staff feeling more confident about sharing their needs, which has contributed to increased job satisfaction and retention.

We have engaged external organisations that advocate for disabled individuals to conduct audits, for example on the accessibility of our website, recruitment processes, policies, procedures, and physical facilities. We share the results of these audits with our staff and Trade Union colleagues, and we take proactive steps to implement any recommendations for the benefit of staff and students.

These initiatives align with our commitment to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion, reinforcing our dedication to creating an equitable workplace for all.

Curriculum Manager Jill Montgomery is among those experiencing the benefits of the college’s approach to supporting staff who live with a disability. 

She said: "While I have had multiple health and mobility problems over a number of years, the college, without exception, has supported me in a respectful way, always quick to respond to my needs and has therefore enabled me to fully participate in my professional role here at Kelvin."