Forum for Inkluderingskompetanse Michael J. Evans AFI Oslo 5 December 2013

AFI Oslo 2 Supported Employment Model Definition “ providing support to people with disabilities or other disadvantaged groups to secure and maintain paid employment in the open labour market” European Union of Supported Employment 2005

5 December 2013 AFI Oslo 3 Supported Employment Model Stages of Supported Employment 1)Engagement/Job Preparation 2)Vocational profile 3)Job finding 4)Employer negotiation 5)On/off job support

5 December 2013 AFI Oslo 4 Supported Employment Model Strengths & Weaknesses Offers equality of opportunity Person-centred approach Can be used for a wide range of client groups Supports both the client (employee) and the employer Focus is on paid employment/full integration Funding dictates the programme Absence of regulations and standards Limited training opportunities Lack of reliable data and results It is not so easy!

5 December 2013 AFI Oslo 5 Identifying Potential Issues Problems Faced by Employers Lack of awareness Disability/Employment Legislation Sickness absence Apprehension Health & Safety concerns Demands of employment organisations/projects Inordinate supervision Insufficient skills/experience Poor cv/application form/interviews

5 December 2013 AFI Oslo 6 Identifying Potential Issues Problems Faced by Job Coaches Lack of confidence Limited training Inappropriate referrals/job ready Welfare benefits/pensions Belief in clients Parents/carers Understanding employers ’ needs Confusion over marketing and job finding Organisational and client demands

5 December 2013 AFI Oslo 7 Employment Disability Unit, Dundee 2010/2011 Job Outcomes – How achieved Speculative letter 2 / 3 Advertised letter 3 / 9 Advertised telephone call 10 /18 Application form 17 /22 Word of mouth 6 /12 Organised by EDU staff 20 / 13 Employment agency 2 / 1 Via work experience placement 27 / 32 Cold calling 1 / 4 Employer contact 11 / 10 Retention 3 / 8 Self-Employment 0 / 1

5 December 2013 AFI Oslo 8 Contacting Employers Acceptable Employment Options Open employment Supported employment Wages/Pension/Disability benefits Voluntary work Work experience Job taster

Contacting Employers Methods Completing Job Applications Sending CVs Telephone Letter Brochures/Leaflets DVD/Social Media Work Site Visits Work Experience Placements Seminar/Conference Training Events Employer Meetings 5 December 2013 AFI Oslo 9

5 December 2013 AFI Oslo 10 Internal Factors Key Success Criteria Funding Staffing Structure & Activities Leadership Development & Monitoring Staff training Referral sources Caseloads Types of disability and disadvantage Partnerships

Internal Factors Organising Employer Engagement Job finders Marketing Define activities & services Employer database Team meetings Role of an Employment Coordinator Case notes/Reports Maintaining contact 5 December 2013 AFI Oslo 11

5 December 2013 AFI Oslo 12 Meeting Employers What Are Employers Looking for? Qualifications and skills Experience and work background Personality

5 December 2013 AFI Oslo 13 Meeting Employers Qualities Sought by Employers Flexibility Helpful, positive attitude Team worker Responsible Enthusiastic Reliable Effective

Meeting Employers Job Creation/Job Flexibility Job carving Tasks taken from existing jobs Creates ‘new’ job for supported employee Other employees have more time for their tasks Job stripping Removes tasks from existing job Adjusts to limitations of disabled employee Other tasks could be added (see Job Carving) Job enrichment Adding new tasks to existing job 5 December 2013 AFI Oslo 14

5 December 2013 AFI Oslo 15 Supporting the Employer Work Experience Placements Aims and objectives Benefits –Employer –Disabled person –Supported Employment provider Duration The agreement Problems

Supporting the Employer Supporting the Employer Employer’s Pro-activity Job creation Work experience/Job tasters Work-site visits Mock/Practice interviews Encourage job applications 5 December 2013 AFI Oslo 16

Potential areas/issues for further discussion 5 December 2013 AFI Oslo 17

5 December 2013 AFI Oslo 18 European Supported Employment Toolkit How To Guides Client Engagement Stage 1 of SE process Person-centred approach Initial meeting with client Planning discussion Action Plan Potential issues for Discussion  Referral sources  Is job ready an issue?  Could you say no?

5 December 2013 AFI Oslo 19 European Supported Employment Toolkit How To Guides Vocational Profiling Stage 2 of SE process Main objectives Gather relevant information Support strategies Action Plan & Review Potential Issues for Discussion  What information to gather?  What format and how long to complete?  Making the Vocational profile meaningful and accurate

5 December 2013 AFI Oslo 20 European Supported Employment Toolkit How To Guides Job Finding & Employer Engagement Stage 3 & 4 of SE process Job search – formal and informal Approaching employers Job matching Job interviews Potential Issues for Discussion  What are the formal and informal methods of job search  Are we skilled/trained to approach employers?  What are the best techniques – and why?

5 December 2013 AFI Oslo 21 European Supported Employment Toolkit How To Guides On and Off the Job Support Stage 5 of SE process Process and methodology Understanding the job and employer Different forms of support Potential Issues for Discussion  What type of support is needed?  How long can you provide support?  What are the issues for progression and career planning?  How much support should be given?

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