PATRON FOCUS Cheshire West and Chester Council: Employment Directions and Supported Employment Services Creating workplaces where diversity and inclusion thrive

Cheshire West and Chester Council understand the importance of building a workforce that reflects a broad range of experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives. Their Supported Employment Service and Employment Directions Service are designed to connect local employers with residents seeking work—providing free, time unlimited, tailored, support to meet business's diversity and inclusion goals.

Why diversity matters for your business

There’s a compelling business case for diversifying your workforce. Companies that embrace diversity are already seeing the benefits, including: Increased employee motivation: A diverse workforce is often more engaged and committed to the company’s success.

Improved morale and teamwork: A mix of perspectives fosters collaboration and strengthens team dynamics.

Enhanced reputation: Companies that value diversity are viewed more favourably by employees, customers, and the community.

Innovation: Diverse teams bring fresh ideas, leading to innovation in products, services, and processes.

Corporate social responsibility: A commitment to diversity showcases your company’s social responsibility and ethical values.

Saving you time and money

Diversity in the workplace isn’t just about doing the right thing—it’s also a smart business strategy that can save you time and money:

A broader talent pool:

Many individuals with disabilities are eager to work but are often overlooked in traditional recruitment efforts. By diversifying your hiring practices, you’ll access untapped talent pools with valuable skills and experience.

Reputation benefits: Today’s consumers and job seekers are increasingly focused on corporate ethics. By implementing inclusive policies, your company will stand out as a responsible employer that not only talks the talk but walks the walk. This reputation can help attract top talent and loyal customers, giving your business a competitive edge.

Reduced recruitment costs: A diverse and inclusive workplace leads to higher employee satisfaction and retention. With improved morale and reduced turnover, you’ll save time and money on recruitment and training.

The Supported Employment Service and Employment Directions Service provided by Cheshire West & Chester Council are both dedicated to helping businesses build and sustain diverse, inclusive workplaces. Their support begins with making recruitment processes accessible and inclusive, ensuring organizations attract candidates from the broadest talent pool.

The service then assists in identifying the right talent by matching candidates' skills, abilities, and aspirations with job requirements, ensuring a strong fit for both the employee and the organization. Their involvement doesn’t end with recruitment; they provide continuous training and support to help teams work effectively alongside colleagues from diverse backgrounds.

Additionally, they offer guidance on implementing reasonable workplace adjustments, ensuring that all staff have an equal opportunity to succeed.

Their in-work support extends to onboarding, with tailored induction and training to smoothly integrate new hires into teams.

Finally, they assist with supporting employees returning to work after longterm sickness, helping improve their wellbeing while reducing absenteeism and turnover costs.

Jan Kolita, Supported Employment Service Lead at Cheshire West & Chester Council: "The free, high-quality, tailored support that we offer at Cheshire West & Chester Council supports local businesses to meet sector specific needs. With expertise in disability inclusion, exceptional customer service, and local accessibility, the team provide trusted, responsive support to help businesses navigate disability inclusion effectively."

Cheshire West & Chester Council are proud to work with several employers across the region. Here’s what some of them have said about the services:

“Great communication and tailoring of support to the individual’s needs and the work environment.”

“Excellent service, support, and information.”

“A great support network for both employer and employee.”

“Amazing support throughout the recruitment process and beyond.”

If you’d like to learn more about how the services can support your business, please get in touch today to discuss how the services can help you create a more diverse, inclusive workforce.

SupportedEmploymentService@ cheshirewestandchestercouncil.gov.uk