Intowork is the co-ordinating partner for two projects that are part-financed by the European Social Fund (ESF). These are collectively known as the Employment Consortium.

The Employment Consortium is a group of public and voluntary sector organisations who provide employment support to people with disabilities and other support needs who live in Edinburgh, Midlothian and East Lothian.

Consortium goals

• Help to reduce waiting times
• Give clients have more choice
• Clients have access a wider range of services
• The journey to employment is shortened
• Outcomes are achieved more quickly.

Project 1: "Progressing to Employment with Personalised Support"

Operational Period

October 2010 to September 2012 2 years)

Objectives

The project offers disabled jobseekers help in the following areas:

• Engagement - identification of needs, vocational profiling
• Advice and guidance about employment, training and further education
• Work placements and work trials
• Supporting progression from day centres
• Core skills and life skills development
• Benefits advice and in-work financial calculations
• Marketing and negotiation with employers
• Job search and interview support
• In-work support and aftercare
  

Objectives

The project offers disabled jobseekers help in the following areas:

Target Groups

The project will focus on assisting people who are unemployed and are significantly distanced from the labour market. In particular people with:

• a Learning Disability
• an Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
• Mental Health issues
• a Physical Disability
• a Sensory Disability

Geographical Coverage

The project will operate across the City of Edinburgh with 10% of participants eligible in the contiguous Midlothian 'travel-to-work' area.

Outputs

Project partners will work towards common targets:

• 330 people given guidance, advice and personal development / skills acquisition assistance
• 115 people entering employment
• 52 people sustained in employment after 6months
• 80 people entering education / training
• 40 people gaining qualifications

Project Partners

• Intowork (co-ordinating agency)
• RNIB
• City of Edinburgh Council (Skills Path and Edinburgh Support Services)
• Midlothian Council (STEM - Services in Training for Employment in Midlothian)
  

Project 2: Progressing Through Employment

Operational Period

October 2010 to September 2013 (3 years)

Objectives

The project will increase the chances of the most disadvantaged disability groups to retain their current employment during the recession and improve their employability skills to take advantage of the economic upturn when it happens.

• To improve basic skills enhancing longer term employability
• To reduce potential job losses by providing targeted needs-led support to both client and employer
• To support progression through employment by addressing the barriers that frequently impede this even in 'normal' economic conditions, but which are exacerbated during a recession.

Activities

• Delivering crucial support at times of potential job loss
• Responding to clients' or employers' requests for specialist intervention when issues at work may place the future development or sustainability of a job in jeopardy.
• Providing Aftercare Support - this is rarely available beyond sustainability periods (usually 6 months), but is essential in many cases where the client is particularly vulnerable to changes in work patterns, tasks, staff colleagues or the actual work environment.

Key Activities will include:

• Regular monitoring of employment
• Job coaching and on-site support
• Disability awareness sessions to colleagues, managers and beneficiaries
• Job analysis to ascertain skill level and possible alternative duties in the workplace
• Identification and delivery of training/development needs
• Negotiating a phases return to work
• Accessing appropriate financial support

Target Groups

The project will focus on assisting people who are currently employed but are in need of assistance to:

• a learning disability
• an Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
• Mental Health issues
• a Physical Disability
• a Sensory Disability

Geographical Coverage

The project will operate within 3 local authority areas - City of Edinburgh Council, Midlothian Council and East Lothian Council.

• 300 people given guidance, advice and personal development support
• 225 people will gain non-accredited, basic core skills from through one to one support
• 30 people will gain qualifications at level 1 or 2 (ISCED level 1, lower secondary level)

Soft Outcomes

Soft Outcomes will be recorded for the project to evidence the services delivered to clients and their progression within employment.

• anxiety and depression management
• stress control
• coping strategies
• work-related stress management
• confidence building
• managing interpersonal relationships
• self-evaluation and progress measurement
• improving work ethics
• CV preparation, application letters/forms
• interview techniques, mock interviews
• basic IT training
• speculative letters, internet job search, on-line applications
• vocational profiling
• needs-led careers counselling
• direct customer marketing
• paid work placements
• in workplace aftercare
• on-site job coaching
• employer negotiation and mediation

Project Partners

Intowork (co-ordinating agency)

• Midlothian Council - STEM
• East Lothian Council - ELVOS
• Capability Scotland