Research into the workforce gap (Oct 2024)
Activity Alliance commissioned Better Decisions Together to explore the barriers and enablers to disabled people becoming part of the workforce.
The report found an urgent need for the sector to address recruitment and retention strategies.
Based on 25 interviews with people in the sport and physical activity workforce, most of whom were disabled employees, volunteers and employers it provides three key headline recommendations.
- Adopt a ‘flexible by default’ approach to job roles.
- Provide advice and guidance for employers.
- Proactively identify and remove barriers that exist at all stages of the workforce journey.
Included in more detailed recommendations are the removal of practical barriers to recruitment, normalising adaptions and establishing a national disability sport and physical activity workforce network. It also calls on the government to make improvements to the Access to Work process.
From the importance of early experiences to supportive role models or cheerleaders the research found an array of both barriers and enablers to disabled people joining the sport and physical activity workforce.
Emotional support was important to disabled people interviewed, such as from supportive colleagues and managers who foster a welcoming and supportive culture.
Full findings, along with a range of case studies, are to due be shared in early 2025.
If you want to find out more, contact HelenN@activityalliance.org.uk or phone 08081 756991.
Excutive report published in October 2025.
