AIREDALE NHS Foundation Trust has received a coveted accreditation.

The trust, which runs Airedale Hospital at Steeton, has been awarded Disability Confident Employer status.

Organisations that hold the accreditation are recognised as playing a leading role in changing attitudes and promoting inclusive recruitment.

A number of initiatives has been introduced by the health trust.

In the past year it has relaunched the Enable Network, for employees with disabilities. The group aims to "create an environment where people affected by disability feel valued and included, enabling them to have confidence and challenge the differences they experience in comparison to non-disabled colleagues".

Also, a new 'reasonable adjustments' guide and toolkit have been launched. As part of the venture, any adjustments that may be required to help staff are identified. Agreed changes are then recorded so that if employees move teams or departments, the process doesn't have to be repeated.

Training has been rolled out for managers, to provide them with the latest advice on supporting their staff.

And the trust has been actively involved in a supported internship programme with Keighley College. Placements and job opportunities are offered to students with learning disabilities.

"This increases their confidence and helps them gain fantastic people skills and experience – and for some results in a permanent job afterwards," said a spokesperson.

"The trust is also focussing on inclusive recruitment, making sure applicants are aware of what’s on offer to support them in the workplace and explaining that if they meet all the essential criteria there is a guaranteed interview scheme. Also, that once in employment the trust supports staff with reasonable adjustments."

Sarah Heys, the wellbeing at work lead with Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, says: "We are proud to have been awarded this Disability Confident Employer status, because inclusion and diversity is at the heart of everything we do.

"We're working hard to remove the barriers faced by disabled colleagues and helping them to thrive at work.

"Often too people don’t think of themselves as having a disability, particularly if it’s invisible or in relation to their mental health, so it’s about raising awareness of what constitutes a disability. It’s about sharing people stories, dispelling myths and celebrating everyone.

"The Disability Confident scheme helps employers recruit and retain great people, challenge attitudes and increase understanding of disability, whilst drawing from the widest possible pool of talent and improving employee morale by demonstrating fair treatment."