A WEST Somerset company which since 2023 has been raising awareness of disabilities and making changes to its recruitment processes as part of the Government’s Disability Confident Scheme, has now achieved Leader Level Three status - making it a disability inclusion champion.

Singer Instruments designs, builds, and sells laboratory automation solutions from its premises in Roadwater and Minehead.

The scheme’s three levels encourage employers to be part of a movement of change by altering processes to enable anybody to apply for roles either as employees or on student placements.

They are also expected to make adjustments to ensure everybody can work to the best of their ability and put their true skills into practice.

Social enterprise company SeetecPluss employer account executive Pippa Penny, who validated Singer’s level three application, said: “We have seen first-hand Singer Instruments' commitment to their disability confident journey and are proud to celebrate their achievement as partners in a more inclusive labour market."

Earlier this year the company also won the Somerset Business Awards ‘Employer of the Year’ category.

Matthew Huggett, lead judge for the category, said: "Singer Instruments impressed with its genuinely inclusive culture and its commitment to supporting people as individuals.

“Rather than treating inclusion as a standalone programme, it is woven into the fabric of the organisation.

“The business shows real flexibility, takes a thoughtful case-by-case approach to supporting employees, and has created an environment where people feel valued and able to succeed.

“Its disability confident leader status is a well-deserved recognition of a culture that combines strong business leadership with a genuine commitment to people."

Singer Instruments managing director Robbie Devlin said: “Inclusion is not a box-checking exercise for us, it is core to how we operate.

“We hope to inspire other businesses across our region and industry to take the same journey.”