Job support for disabled people
We are committed to supporting everybody who wants to secure and sustain fair work.
Our ambition is to at least halve the disability employment gap (DEG) by 2038- which is the difference between the employment rates of disabled people and non-disabled people 16 to 64 years old.
We published our refreshed Fair Work Action Plan on 9 December 2022. The plan included actions to continue to reduce the disability employment gap, building on the progress made through implementation of the original employment plan for disabled people (2018).
No One Left Behind
No One Left Behind is our shared approach to employability support. In partnership with Local Government, we work together with public, private and third sector organisations to design and deliver our services locally. It provides person-centred support for people of all ages who experience structural barriers to progress towards and into employment.
Working with our partners, we want to build an employability system that:
- tackles inequalities in Scotland's labour market
- creates more responsive and joined-up services
- meets the needs of employers and local labour markets
- helps people of all ages access fair and sustainable work
Services are in place in all 32 local authority areas in Scotland.
Since employability support powers were devolved to Scotland:
- over 163,000 people have started on our services
- 92,523 people have been supported through No One Left Behind between April 2019 and June 2025
- at least 69,277 of these people have achieved positive outcomes
We recognise that disabled people face significant barriers to employment. We are committed to removing these barriers and supporting people to find and stay in meaningful work.
Disabled people make a valuable contribution to Scotland's workforce. We want to make sure everyone has the opportunity to move into sustainable employment.
Specialist Employability Support
Specialist Employability Support is now available in all 32 local council areas. This service provides more intensive support to help disabled people and people with long-term health conditions find and keep meaningful work.