Back Up is recognised as a Disability Confident Leader (Level 3) under the government’s Disability Confident Scheme.
This recognition reflects how we work as an organisation. Building Inclusive Communities is one of our core values, and Being Inclusive remains a guiding foundation principle within our strategy, Limitless Ambition 2025 to 2030.
Inclusion is not an add-on to our services. It is embedded in our culture, leadership and employment practices.
Inclusion in our workforce
Many of our roles require lived experience of spinal cord injury. We also actively welcome colleagues with other disabilities and health conditions.
Our annual staff survey in December 2025 showed that:
- 54% of our workforce identify as disabled
- This represents an 11% increase since 2023
This reflects the community we serve and the supportive culture we have built. Representation strengthens decision making, leadership and service delivery.
Our governance also demonstrates strong disability representation:
- 54% of Trustees have a spinal cord injury
- A further 18% have a close family member with a spinal cord injury
- One third of our Senior Management Team have a spinal cord injury
- A further third have a close family member with a disability
This depth of lived experience ensures that our strategy and oversight remain grounded in the realities of disabled people’s lives.
A message from our CEO
“This commitment to breaking down barriers sits at the heart of everything we do. I’m proud to share that Back Up has been recognised as a Disability Confident Leader. It is a powerful reflection of our dedication to being accessible and welcoming to everyone, not only through our services but also within employment and beyond.”
— Abigail Lock, CEO
Leadership and accountability
The Disability Confident Scheme provides a three-level framework to support inclusive recruitment and employment practices. Achieving Leader status demonstrates both culture and structure — the policies, practices and accountability that underpin inclusive employment.
Our Diversity and Inclusion Working Group has led the work to ensure consistent good practice across teams. This ensures disabled employees feel supported and candidates can demonstrate their skills without unnecessary barriers.
We are proud to commit to the Voluntary Reporting Framework and to publicly share our progress.
From our Diversity and Inclusion Lead
“Inclusion only works when it is built into everyday systems. That means clear recruitment processes, confident managers and a culture where people feel able to talk openly about what they need. Achieving Level 3 is important, but what matters most is that disabled colleagues feel valued, supported and able to progress.”
— Becky Hill, Diversity and Inclusion Lead
Our ongoing commitment
Disability Confident Leader status is not a one-off achievement. It reflects an ongoing commitment to removing barriers, strengthening inclusive practice and ensuring disabled people can build meaningful careers with Back Up.
Inclusion is part of how we work. Every day.
