Supporting People with Disabilities into Employment Wednesday 24 th April 2013 Kieran Molloy – The Cedar Foundation Peter Shields – Action Mental Health

Supported Employment Solutions

Supported Employment Solutions Background Partnership of locally-based organisations True sense of partnership working and collaboration Pan-disability Strategic context Shared set of values Implementing a Supported Employment approach in the delivery of programmes to assist people with disabilities and health conditions to enter and stay in employment.

Supported Employment Solutions Value Base and Ethos Commitment to provide the best quality service to programme participants, employers and programme commissioners; Provision of person-centred services to people with disabilities and health conditions which respect the dignity, aspirations and choices of each individual; Sharing resources, knowledge and expertise to ensure delivery of a high quality, standardised service; Openness and accountability to ensure partnership working is carried out in a spirit of trust and mutual support;

Work Connect is a voluntary programme administered by the Disability Employment Service, (DES), to facilitate the employment needs of people with disabilities and/or health conditions. Supported Employment Solutions Work Connect It has been designed to support these individuals to help them move from incapacity related benefits into lasting, paid employment through three clearly defined stages.

Pre-Employment Support-during which all clients are offered a range of assistance to improve their employability and to assist them to find a job. This may last up to 26 weeks, ( and with prior approval, it can be extended for another 13 weeks) Job Entry Support to assist the client prepare to move from economic inactivity to start employment Supporting Sustained Employment to assist clients who start work to maintain employment by providing support through their first 26 weeks in work. Work Connect 3 Stage process

Work Connect People and Places

Is a programme that gives people with disabilities the opportunity of working in a wide variety of jobs. The person’s disability must have a significant adverse impact on their ability to carry out the particular job they are currently doing or the job they are applying for Workable (NI) is delivered in three Regions across N.Ireland The programme is delivered by three Providers - Supported Employment Solutions (SES) - Ulster Sheltered Employment (USEL) - Disability Action Workable (NI)

Workable (N.I.) provides a range of supports to employers and employees Workable (NI) tailors support to individuals to meet their specific employment needs. The provision can include support such as: - An Employment Support Officer to assist the disabled worker and their colleagues adapt to the needs of the particular job - Developmental costs to the employer - Extra training - Disability awareness training Workable (NI)

Northern Ireland (NI) has one of the highest incidences of disability in the UK Overall 21% of adults were found to have a disability but this rises from 5% for year group; 11% year groups and 23% year group. Nearly two-thirds of working age disabled people in Northern Ireland are economically inactive, which is 3 times the rate for non-disabled people 42% of disabled people of working age had no qualifications compared to 16% without a disability. Disability in Northern Ireland Context

Disability in Northern Ireland Specialist Employment Programmes Access to Work (NI) Workable (NI) Work Connect Job Introduction Scheme European Funded Specialist Programmes

Lack of holistic, person-centred approach Lack of accessible accredited, pre-vocational and vocational training opportunities for people with disabilities Financial barriers Transport, inaccessible and prohibitive costs Lack of long-term job support interventions Disability ‘un-awareness’ Support to Employers Lack of opportunity to progress Why Specialist Supports are Required

Assist Prime Contractors to achieve successful outcomes Provide ‘end to end’ client support Comprehensive knowledge of the supports required by those furthest away from the labour market Strong, existing relationships with a range of statutory, community and voluntary organisations Extensive employer network across N.Ireland Benefits of Working with Specialist Providers