The Government has launched a new online service aimed at smaller employers who do not have access to in-house HR provision, to give them the tools they need to empower and encourage disabled employees and those with health conditions.

Currently in an early test version - with users encouraged to give their opinion through a short online survey - the Support with Employee Health and Disability Service is open to any employer and provides free advice on how to manage staff who may be in or out of work with a disability or long-term health condition, by utilising an online questions and answers format.

The service and is part of an almost £6.5 million programme of work to help employers support and manage employees with disabilities or health conditions and comes as a direct response to the government’s 2019 consultation, ‘Health is everyone’s business’, in which employers asked for joined-up advice on supporting health in the workplace that is easier to find and act upon.

Although the latest figures show that the number of disabled people in employment has increased by 1.3 million since 2017, the new service suggests potential changes an employer could make to help with a return to work, supporting a government goal to see one million more disabled in work by 2027.

Over the next three years, the government will invest £1.3 billion in employment support for this group of people - building up existing provision, including expanding employment support, to grow the economy and help people with the cost of living. During this period, the website will be updated using the feedback from the survey and it is hoped that once fully developed, the service will “help employers understand their legal obligations, including how to make adjustments for disabled people and those with health conditions”.

Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work, Claire Coutinho said:

“Since 2017 we have seen one million more disabled people in work, beating our target by five years. Now we want to go even further by giving more employers the tools and information they need to ensure disabled people and those with health conditions can succeed in the workplace.”