|
Job Broker Service
The Job Broker Service is specifically designed to complement the UK
government's New
Deal for Disabled People (NDDP) Job Broker service.
Client Group
The project works with people with significant disabilities who are
in receipt of long-term inactive welfare benefits (primarily Incapacity
Benefit and Severe Disability Allowance)
Overall Project Aim
To provide an adaptable structured support system to enable clients
to make the transition to employment and sustain it.
The project works on a 1:1 basis with clients to address all the potential
issues faced by those who are at a considerable distance from the labour
market and who, without this specialised support, would remain disengaged
and economically inactive. The method of support is based largely on
the supported employment
model, which addresses the individual barriers people face when
trying to access the labour market, and provides a range of tools and
support mechanisms to overcome these barriers. The support package includes
significant partnership working for delivery arrangements and links
in with other local agencies with specific experience and expertise
in identified areas of disability like mental health, acquired brain
injury and learning disability.
The service can include the following specific elements:-
- Vocational Guidance
- Work and social skills development
- Assisted job search
- Workplace Integration Strategies
(including job analysis, job coaching,
co-worker disability awareness training)
- Aftercare to sustain employment
(including progression from P/T to F/T)
Innovation
The project exhibits a number of innovative features, including:
- Combining NDDP and ESF funding to address multiple barriers faced
by those at greatest distance from the labour market (high-volume
mainstream provision is not effective for this client group)
- Utilising specific strengths and experience of partnership agencies
to address client specific barriers
- Offering employers an "overlooked" pool of employees
in a tight labour market where recruitment is becoming increasingly
difficult
- Responding to local authority commissioned research that recognised
the need for more co-ordinated delivery between employment intermediaries
- Developing outreach networks within specific areas of Edinburgh,
East and Midlothian to promote employment access support where none
has previously existed
Impact and Future Development
From the project's start date in February 2004, the Job Broker Team
aim to work with with 100 clients in its first year; 60 will be signposted
to other services; the Team will work intensively with 40; move 20 into
employment;
Client soft outcomes:
- Enhanced client sense of confidence and self worth
- Development of communication skills
- Development of a realistic understanding of their place in the labour
market
- Development of a realistic understanding of their capacity in the
labour market
top of page
|
.gif){kind=tracking}
.gif){kind=tracking}