ABLE (Autism: Building Links to Employment) The Idea, The Delivery, The Results. Margaret Haddock – President EUSE, Deputy Chief Executive, Orchardville Society Lydia Lynas - Head of Employment & Skills Service, Orchardville Society

Content Historical development of ASD Services Project ABLE, The Idea The Delivery The Results

Development of ASD Services Voluntary Organisation Specialising in training and employment services to Learning Disability Social Economy Agenda Belfast Service Delivery Values based on Supported Employment Model Equal Employment for Autism Project.

Services offered Employment Careers Guidance Links to relevant Employment Programmes Transition Services Training Essential Skills Vocational Training Employability Social Economy Two coffee shops and outside catering in high street locations. Business Centre offering back office skill services Factory – sorting bottles for main drinks manufacturers e.g. Coca- Cola

Partnership Values Key Partnerships across sectors: People with disability Parents Employers (public, private and voluntary) Other NGO’s to deliver more efficient services Government Departments Funders Politicians, regionally/nationally European Partnerships through Project Delivery and memberships.

ASD & Employment Attention to detail Accuracy Excellent memory for facts and details Special talents, interests, enjoy routine. Employment opportunities within: ICT - data inputting, software design, gaming Administrative roles - accounting, monitoring info, records. Retail – special interest areas (music, exotic animals, art)

The Idea Lack of specific ASD Adult Services Increase in Referrals Increase in demand from Special & Mainstream schools Review model of working to include support workers Build on success of EFA Used the Model of Supported Employment for value base and process i.e. Engage- Place-Train-Maintain-Progress.

Project ABLE Employment based service for young people and adults with ASD that want to get into work. May 2009 – April 2013 Financed through Big Lottery Fund. Belfast Wide Partnership between NOW & Orchardville Society.

Profile of Participants Special Education 16 – 19 years Mainstream education 16 – 18 years Adults 18+ Referrals from: Special and mainstream education. BHSCT DEL

The Delivery Individually Customised Programme including: Employment Profiling/ job matching (including induction, assessment, vocational profiling, job analysis) Training Programmes – social & communication skills, travel, Money management. Voluntary work placements Employment with external employers On the job training and support Peer (like person) support through User Forum

Case Study 1 - Steve 21 year old under-graduate at QUB studying Computer Science. Required one year contract within ICT sector Secured F/t job with Northgate (ICT) Duties include: Customer service role within faults dept (call centre) management (internal & External Restoring data Customer accounts creation.

Steve - Support with: Initial Job searching/ Interview skills Time management & organisation. Reasonable adjustments made including Supervision (daily) Private work station Communication via No shifts, Carved a role specifically for him.

Case Study 2 - Matthew 17 year old attending mainstream school. Interested in ICT, administration work. Transition programme including work placements within Electoral Office, Include Youth & Equality Commission. Duties: data inputting, data handling, reception. Increase confidence, concentration and social skills.

Case Study 3 - Jamie Attends special school. Preparing to leave Challenging Behaviour 1:1 support Successful work placement. Future?

Case Study 4 - Chris 20 Years old Attended Local Grammar school. Studying at QUB – Computer Science. Unable to source Year 3 placement without support. Required Job in ICT sector. Commenced F/t employment July 2011 at SAG (ICT)

Case Study - Chris Duties: Programming De-bugging programmes Remove & Log glitches in systems. Support : Personal presentation skills, communication. Outcome: Will successfully complete Year 3 industrial placement and graduate in 2013

Feedback “The support from Orchardville has been vital to the success of the job, making reasonable adjustments was more straight forward than we thought” (Northgate) “The disability training really helped raise awareness among staff and the partnership has enabled us to achieve part of our CSR strategy” (QUB) “This was our first experience of working with a person with ASD and we were amazed at their skills, attention to detail and motivation” (SAG)

The Results & Learning Partnership Approach Supported Employment Model Applicable to client group eg Job Coach/natural supports essential to success of employment Customisation eg. Vocational profile in particular environmental factors Resource Development eg. Assessment tools Trained Staff in both Supported employment and ASD knowledge Job Analysis/Task Analysis with precise instructions Offer short term tasters (especially to mainstream participants) Disability Awareness training with co-workers essential.

Results Year 3 Project End Target (Year 4) Current (Year 3) Special Ed Referrals2526 Mainstream Ed 1014 Adults No. Work Placements 6094 No. of Jobs1514 No. of Employers5075 People Impacted

Employers

Evaluation of Project Able Methodolgy being used SROI (Social Return on Investment) Reasons for above methodology – Evidenced Based with financial indicators for Government Purchasing Departments Midterm Results – Showing benefits to all key stakeholder groups.

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