Autism and Employment Event – Glasgow 7 October 2014 Morag Gemmell – Employer and Partnership Manager, Jobcentre Plus, East and South East Scotland District Tracy Lygo – Disability Employment Adviser, Jobcentre Plus, Musselburgh Jobcentre
Jobcentre Plus Support for Customers with Autism • We understand that people with Autism may have complex needs and we have consulted with partner organisations about the range of support we should offer. • Disability Employment Advisers provide specialist help and support to customers with disabilities. • Work Coaches and Customer Service staff have received Autism awareness training. • We have other support arrangements in place such as personalised Claimant Commitments and customers can bring some-one to accompany them to Jobcentre interviews if necessary.
The Role of Disability Employment Adviser • The role of the Disability Employment Adviser. • The initial meeting with a person looking for work. • Skills training and work experience opportunities. • Job search activities. • Financial help with the transition from benefits to work and In Work support.
The Benefits of Employing People with Disabilities • Nearly 7 million people of working age in the UK are disabled and have a health condition. • Encouraging applications from people with disabilities is good for business. It can help you to: increase the number of high quality applicants available and create a workforce that reflects the diverse range of customers it serves and the community in which it is based. • The costs of making reasonable adjustments to accommodate disabled employees are often low.
Jobcentre Plus Help for Employers • Recruitment advice including specialist support if you run a small business. • Youth Contract including Work Experience. • Work Trials. • Work Choice. • Access to Work.
Access to Work • Access to Work is a specialist disability service delivered by Jobcentre Plus, which gives practical advice and support to disabled people, whether they are working, self employed or looking for employment. • Access to Work can help employers retain an employee who develops a disability or long term condition • Access to Work does not provide the support itself, but provides a grant to reimburse the cost of the support that is needed.
Work Choice Work Choice can help employers to employ a disabled person who needs specialist support. • It is a voluntary programme to help; disabled people who find it hard to get and keep a job employed people whose jobs are at risk because of their disability You can offer any type of work but it must be 16 hours or more per week to qualify. The type of support depends on the help people need. It can include: • Training and developing skills • Building confidence • Interview coaching The Work Choice Provider will work with employers to develop a package of support. In Scotland Work Choice is delivered by Shaw Trust and Remploy.
Disability Confident Campaign • Through the Disability Confident campaign, the government is working with employers to remove barriers, increase understanding and ensure that disabled people have the opportunities to fulfil their potential and realise their aspirations. • Employers are crucial to improving employment outcomes for disabled people. • Over 1000 employers have joined the campaign and there have been a series of Regional Events including an event in Glasgow on 4 March 2014.
Information on DWP services for employers • visit the GOV UK website at WWW.GOV.UK. • contact your local Jobcentre Plus office.
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