Swindon has been chosen as one of just three towns and cities in the UK to trial a new approach aimed at increasing the number of job opportunities for disabled people.

The new Small Employer Offer introduces measures designed to make it easier for small businesses to hire disabled people by offering an enhanced package of support for both employers and jobseekers while they are trying to find work and once they have found a job.

People participating in the new Small Employer Offer will be fast tracked for the Access to Work scheme. This will ensure that support is available to disabled employees and their employers on the very first day.

Minister for Disabled People and Swindon North MP Justin Tomlinson said: “My home town of Swindon is a fantastic place to trial this new approach.

“There are already so many people and organisations in the town who share our ambition to get disabled people into employment. Often by making only minor changes businesses can recruit excellent and loyal staff and gain an edge over their competitors.

“If we are to meet our ambition to halve the gap between the disabled and non-disabled employment rates then we need to think in an original way. The Small Employer Offer is a really comprehensive approach as it gives disabled people and employers a wide-range of support to place disabled people in jobs and keep them there.”

The news comes just months after a ‘reverse jobs fair’ was held at the Steam Museum with more than 50 local employers including BMW and Jury’s Inn.

Employers and employees also have the opportunity to take advantage of working interviews, supported work tasters or work trials during this time limited offer. These tasters will enable both the employer and employee to try out the job and see if it is the right job for them before entering into permanent employment.

After three months on the scheme, businesses will have an opportunity to apply for a Small Employer Payment. This will provide continuing support for both the employer and employee and contribute towards any additional costs relating to disability by funding training, mentoring or management time needed.

“Thanks to this scheme there is now a wide range of support available to businesses which employ 25 or fewer people in Swindon and I urge anyone eligible to take advantage,” said Mr Tomlinson.

“As a former small business owner myself I know the benefits of casting the net as wide as possible when it comes to recruitment.”