We connect inclusive employers with skilled jobseekers using the model of customised employment.
Tell me more about supported employment
Supported employment matches the skills and talents of a jobseeker with the identified need of an organisation. Through supported employment, you can hire a person for a specific role and specific hours.
How does my organisation benefit from employing a person with an intellectual disability and/or autism?
- You will demonstrate your commitment to inclusion and diversity to your customers and your staff team. This is proven to boost staff morale and customer loyalty.
- You will be able to design a role that will best suit your organisation and its needs.
- You and your staff team will be supported by the Wark4Life Employment Facilitators who have the skills and experience to identify a role for a person in your organisation and who will find the best candidate for that role. We also provide ongoing support to both the employee and the employer to ensure the employment is sustainable and beneficial for all.
- You may be entitled to financial incentives and supports from the government.
- Your staff and managers will enhance their mentoring and communication skills.
- People with disabilities and/or autism are proven to be diligent, motivated employees.
Supported Employment – How does it Work?
- Initial meeting between Employment Facilitator and Employer to carve out meaningful role of benefit to the employer.
- Employment Facilitator will match a jobseeker to the role based on their identified interests, skills and talents.
- A 6-8 week work placement of 2 hours per week is arranged to give the jobseeker the opportunity to explore the role and the environment. The work placement is supported by a Job Coach with regular communication with the employer.
- At the end of the work placement, the Job Coach will meet with the Employer to complete a work placement review. An offer of paid employment may be made to a candidate but if now, the employer will be asked if they would offer a work placement to another jobseeker again.
- Should paid employment be offered, the Job Coach will support the new employee and the employer to formalise the employment e.g. relevant form completion.
- The Job Coach will continue to support the person in their workplace to learn and hone their tasks, create positive working relationships with their colleagues and feel confident in their role. Support can be reduced or removed but this is only following discussion with the employer and the employee.
- If a person is unsupported in their role, a Job Coach will meet the employer at regular intervals to complete employment reviews. The frequency of these is decided by the employer.
- Work4Life has a dedicated employment support team – who are available at 087-6353895 should you need to contact them for any reason.
I am not in a position to offer a paid job right now, is there another way I can get involved?
Absolutely! At Work4Life, we are supporting people who are just beginning their journey towards paid employment. We are always looking for opportunities for job tasters and work experience placements to give jobseekers the chance to identify what type of work suits them best and to hone their skills in this area .
