A transition to employment project

Need

People with disabilities in the town need improved access to employment and training opportunities.

Evidence

The information provided below is an example. When referring to consultation or research, you should include dates to show when it took place (ideally within the last two years to ensure it is up to date) and clarify the source of the evidence.

Darlington Borough Council has data from 2010 and 2011 on employment of disabled people demonstrating that the percentage of people with disabilities in employment is significantly lower than the population as a whole. Nationwide research conducted by Top Survey UK Ltd in 2011 states that people with disabilities feel that there are barriers to accessing employment and training.
Questionnaires were sent by the Darlington Employability Forum to day care facilities last year. 30 questionnaires were returned and these demonstrated that 50% would like to try a job but were afraid to take the first step, 73% would like to work in a sheltered workplace with a group of other disabled people, 82% stating they would like to access a course to help them get a job.
Consultation with local employment agencies by the Darlington Employability Forum revealed they lacked awareness of some of the needs of people with disabilities and did not have the resources to provide the level of support required to this target group.
The need for the project links directly to specific parts of the Government's Independent Living Strategy and the local authority's 2011/12 Employment strategy, which highlights the need for improved access to employment and training opportunities for people with disabilities.

The overall aim for the project

To improve the self-confidence, self-esteem and employability skills of people with disabilities by supporting them to access employment and training opportunities.

Outcome(s) for the project

People with disabilities will have increased self-confidence and are able to make more informed choices about their future employment.
People with disabilities will have improved employability skills.
People with disabilities will have an increased take up of suitable jobs and training opportunities.
Local employment agencies and employers will feel more informed about the support needs of people with disabilities and feel more confident about offering them a training or employment opportunity.

Tracking progress

Outcome	Indicator	Indicator level	Timescale
People with disabilities will have increased self-confidence and are able to make informed choices about their future employment	Level of self confidence of clients	10 clients gain volunteer posts and are confident enough to work independently	Each project year
		20 clients make personal employment action plans	Each project year
		A total of 125 clients report that their level of self-confidence to enquire about and apply for jobs and take up employment and volunteering opportunities has improved	By the end of the project
People with disabilities will have improved employability skills	Clients reporting improved basic English, Maths and IT skills, timekeeping skills and reliability	Project staff report that timekeeping and reliability have improved for a total of 25 clients	Each project year
		90 Clients are awarded Basic Skills qualifications	By the end of the project
		100 clients report that they have more confidence in their own skills and their ability to use them in a work environment	By the end of the project
People with disabilities will have an increased take up of suitable jobs and training opportunities	Level of take up of training or employment	5 clients will take up supported work placements	Annually
		20 clients have gained employment	By the end of the project
		50 clients have taken up opportunities for further training	By the end of the project
Local employment agencies and employers will feel more informed about the support needs of people with disabilities and feel more confident about offering them a training or employment opportunity	Number of agencies reporting positive changes that make people with disabilities feel better supported	8 local employers and agencies report an improved attitude to people with disabilities and have made reasonable adjustments in the workplace	Annually
		15 more supported work placements are available for people with disabilities	By the end of the project
		100 people with disabilities report feeling better supported in the workplace	By the end of the project

Activities

Recruit two support workers
Establish partnership working structures with local employers and local authority
Provide three training days per year for local employers and employment agencies
Provide support to 20 people with disabilities to participate in volunteering opportunities
Provide 15 supported employment opportunities in partnership with local employers
Run six courses in travel training, budgeting, bank account set up and career planning
Run four ICT courses
Run three six week courses on CV writing, job search and interview techniques

Learning

The project found that clients were more confident and had improved skills, but that employment opportunities were limited. As a result a new area of activity was developed, to work with local employers to increase opportunities, through a work experience; scheme.