MENCAP PATHWAY EMPLOYMENT SERVICE

1. MENCAP PATHWAY EMPLOYMENT SERVICE LLDD RESEARCH PROJECT Working in Transition

2. Introduction • Aims and Objectives of Research Project • Initial contact with College Students • Student Assessment • In-House Training • Work Experience • Outcomes Research Project • 6 Case Studies and Barriers to Employment • Summary and Conclusions

3. Aims & Objectives • Provide specialist training and development to students with learning disabilities / difficulties • To work with 4 college students in transition • Delivering In-House pre-work Training

4. Aims & Objectives • Arrange Work Experience Placements • Offer Job Coaching support throughout placement to help achieve and sustain work experience. • Assist with the smooth transition from education into P/E / Further Education / Voluntary work /

5. Stage 1 Initial contact • Proposal meeting with college tutors. • Programme to fit with timetable college activity • Identification of 4 students with learning disabilities / difficulties. • Initial Meeting with students / overview of programme. Info shared with parents and carers.

6. Stage 2 Assessment • Initial assessment • Record of initial assessment / Tool Kit identifying essential skills strengths and weaknesses • Baseline assessment of students existing skills and capabilities / extra support required • Identified Travel Training requirements • Adaptations / Equipment needed

7. Stage 3 In-House Training • Induction / Meet Mencap Pathway staff • Health and Safety / Training and Workplace • Confidence building / Existing Skills • Communication Skills / Problem Solving • Updating CV / I.T Skills • Disability Awareness / Your rights / DDA • Interview Techniques / Role Play

8. In- House Training cont. • Job Search / Internet / Local Resources • Small Groups of 4 • 1:1 Support Provided • Contact made with Employer / Application Forms / CV / Cover Letter / Tel Call • Informal Interview arranged

9. Work Experience • Job Trainer Support at Interview • Tour of working environment / meet staff members within their potential workplace • Health and Safety / Risk Assessment / Disability Specific • Job Specification and task requirements / Achievable Job goals • Discuss Reasonable Adjustments

10. Work Experience Cont. • Job Coach Support at Induction. • Individual Learning Plan produced / Action plan to work towards • Weekly meetings objective feedback on performance Student / Employer / Mencap Pathway Rep. • Observation at Work Reports / ESfW • Additional support implemented as and when required

11. Outcomes • Students were expected to finish the programme at the end of February. • Where students and employers felt it would be of benefit have been able to continue until end of July, which will assist the smooth transition from education into employment. • This was the case with 3 out of 4 students

12. Outcomes of Students in Transition • Student 1 has been offered ongoing work experience in retail and is working toward a F/t paid position when his college course finishes in July. • Student 2 has been offered a continuation of work experience in Child Care which will enable her to access a college course. • Long term this may promote her chances of paid employment within the Nursery she is attending

13. Outcomes of Students in Transition • Student 3 has been offered ongoing work experience in an office admin environment and is working toward a paid position when his college course finishes in July. • Student 4 has completed her work experience and will be continuing with an alternative programme with Mencap Pathway following the completion of her college course.

14. 6 Case Studies • We looked at 6 people with Learning disabilities and there experiences after leaving college when seeking employment. • The case studies highlighted some of the barriers to work that people with learning disabilities / difficulties face when seeking employment.

15. Identified Barriers to Employment • Lack of Qualifications • Training in Large Groups • Benefit Dependency • Low Self Esteem and Confidence • Ever revolving door of learning • No Work Experience

16. GapsIn Transition • No seamless service in transition due to lack of funding • Inappropriate provision • Disabilities not recognised and therefore struggle in mainstream provision • Lack of specialist support • Limited partnership working

17. What Mencap Pathway can offer • Assessment to identify and address individual needs • Pre-Work Training and Development Programmes giving 1:1 Support in small groups • Arrange Work Experience placements replacing usual recruitment process • Job Trainers in the work and training environment (Support Mechanism) Assisting with Learning and sustaining Employment

18. Mencap Pathway cont • Ongoing Support Equipment and/or Adaptations via ATW once in P/E • ESfW (Essential Skills for work) Tracks through recognising and recording performance and achievements

19. Summary • With Funding Specialist providers like Mencap Pathway can target students early whilst still in education. • Mencap Pathway can bridge the gap between education and employment enabling students with Learning disability / difficulties to make this smooth transition and bypass the barriers and gaps to employment that we see so often.

20. Working in Partnership