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Impressions of Supported Employment Recommendations for Development. Mike Evans President European Union of Supported Employment Manager Employment Unit, Dundee, Scotland Co-starring Kurt Helge Reitan Stavne Gård , Trondheim. Impressions of Supported Employment Background.
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Impressions of Supported EmploymentRecommendations for Development Mike Evans President European Union of Supported Employment Manager Employment Unit, Dundee, Scotland Co-starring Kurt Helge Reitan Stavne Gård, Trondheim Drammen
Impressions of Supported EmploymentBackground • Evaluations of Arbeid med bistand • An interest to compare countries AB • To benchmark Norwegian Initiatives • To assess European situation • Establish common principles/methodologies Drammen
Impressions of Supported EmploymentResearch Approach • Research Stakeholders • Quality not Quantity • Interviewed Managers/Job Coaches • Holland, Spain, Portugal, Scotland, Ireland & Finland • Norway – on-going dialogue • Norwegian Reference Group Drammen
Impressions of Supported EmploymentAreas Explored • The system: the organising and financing of the supported employment service; and rules and regulations that the service must relate to • The working of the service: cooperation; and aspects of job coaches’ competence and workload • The clients/job seekers: who they are (target groups), what alternatives they have to work, employability and motivations • The employers: supported employment services’ contact with and approaches to employers; how services find jobs, what type of jobs, and kinds and levels of job support • Results: how results are defined and measured; targets, monitoring and evaluation of services Drammen
Findings & RecommendationsDifferences & Similarities • Funding • Referral sources • Incentives • Principles of Supported Employment • Recommendation 1: To further develop the EUSE 5 stage process as the European model of Supported Employment • Recommendation 2: The Values and Principles underpinning Supported Employment as a process to secure and maintain a job on the open labour market should be recognised, developed and more widely used. Drammen
Findings & RecommendationsInfluential Factors on Results • ‘Place then Train’ model • Job ready • Lack of flexibility • Long-term effect • Job Coaches’ competence • Recommendation 3:Supported Employment providers should give consideration to producing reports in line with EUSE standards and methodology in an agreed format • Recommendation 4:Increased recognition by funders of the need for long-term support after a job has been secured • Recommendation 5: Establish what the components of best practice in supported employment are • Recommendation 6: Improve the practical relevance of the diploma • Recommendation 7: Development of short training courses on a range of practical topics Drammen
Findings & RecommendationsHolistic Approach & User Participation • Tendency forJob Coaches to do too much • Partnership working not always possible • Self- determination and informed choice • Job finding methods • Recommendation 8: Consideration of a Job Club approach as part of the job finding process designed for clients of supported employment • Recommendation 9: Develop methods that increase job coaches’ counselling skills • Recommendation 10: User participation is achieved before there is a referral to a supported employment service • Recommendation 11: Co-operation between supported employment and other initiatives must be developed Drammen
Findings & RecommendationsApproaches to Employers • Supported Employment not ‘well known’ • See Employers as customers • Needs of Employers not widely recognised • Job finding and marketing skills gap • Recommendation 12: Supported employment services develop training of job coaches in job finding techniques and skills, and improve communication with and support to employers Drammen
Findings & RecommendationsWork Experience Placements • An essential tool but needs defined and clarified • Not always been accepted by ‘Purists’ • Not an end result but should be part of a process • Benefits • Disadvantages • Recommendation 13: Supported employment develops a very clear and acceptable definition of what are a job taster and a work experience placement Drammen
Findings & RecommendationsInfluencing the Development of Supported Employment • Projects are often isolated • Need for consistency • Funding not always available and appropriate • National Associations/EUSE generally weak Recommendation 14: Develop supported employment national associations as an instrument for policy influence Recommendation 15: Lobby the EU regarding the introduction and funding of supported employment Drammen
Impressions of Supported EmploymentComparisons in Europe • Mainstream funding of SE is not common • Advantages & Disadvantages • Lack of regulations and standards • Limited training opportunities • Contacting employers/business community • National Associations Drammen
Contact Details Mike Evans Manager Employment Unit Dundee City Council Dundee DD2 3QN Scotland T: +44 1382 828180 F: +44 1382 828148 E: mike.evans@dundeecity.gov.uk W: www.dundeecity.gov.uk/employmentunit Drammen