REDCAR and Cleveland residents with Learning disabilities or Autism have been assisted into work thanks to the support of the Employment Development team.
The team has been working with individuals to find out more about their skills and abilities in order to match them up with the ideal job through skills matching and job carving (Job carving is where the Employer looks at a job and carves off part of the role for someone with a Learning disability, such as photocopying, filing, food preparation).
Any part of a job can be carved off to free up specialist staff time to concentrate on specialist skilled tasks thus creating a job for someone with a learning disability who may not be able to fulfil all the tasks in an advertised post
So many employers have signed up to take on staff with learning disabilities and autism because of the support the Employment Development team offer and a number of people have been employed by: McDonalds, Cats Whiskers in Guisborough, Morrisons, Tesco and Wetherspoons, as well as Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council and schools across the area.
The Employment team will provide initial job coaching for the employer and easy-to-read step-by-step instructions for tasks and will offer ongoing support whilst the individual is in employment
All that work has seen people helped by the team get jobs for a number of years, boosting their self-esteem and increasing their sense of worth and achievement. Businesses also benefit by increasing the number of staff working for them, as well as having a more diverse work force.
Cllr Craig Hannaway, Cabinet Member for Children, said: “The work being done by the Employment Development team to help people with learning disabilities or autism find work is excellent. Without their support and advice, for employers and potential employees, many people wouldn’t be able to find work and have that self-esteem boost.
“I would encourage more businesses to take part in the scheme and support residents with learning disabilities across the borough.”
Employers looking for more information should contact the Employment Development Team on 01642 304503.