Salford Supported Employment Newsletter

 Happy New Year! Take a look at our amazing year review

We’re really proud to announce that our Supported Employment Service is now providing support to 100 local residents!👏🎉

The service has helped participants to secure the following outcomes with local employers:

10 job starts, 30 interviews, 3 work trials and 5 work experience placements 

Supporting residents and employers

It's been a fantastic first year for the service with lots to celebrate. Over the past year the team have helped numerous participants to grow their independence, confidence, skills, and social networks. Essential ingredients to helping people feel more valued and better connected to their community and opportunities within the city.

The team have also helped participants to overcome individual barriers associated with applying for jobs and sustaining paid employment.

We’re committed to providing free training and support to help our partner employers to recognise the importance of equality, diversity and inclusion in both recruiting and retaining skills and talent.

As such the team have supported local employers to adopt flexible recruitment practices, create inclusive workplaces, access neurodivergent and disability awareness training, and to benefit from further advice and support to become disability confident.

Award success

Salford’s Supported Employment partner, Jigsaw Facilities Ltd, has recently won the Small/Micro Employer of the Year Award at the British Association for Supported Employment (BASE) Awards 2023. The BASE awards are an opportunity to celebrate the wonderful work that takes place across the Supported Employment community, which changes the lives of disabled, neurodivergent, and disadvantaged people through good employment. The awards recognise achievements and best practice within the inclusive recruitment sector. Congratulations to all the team at Jigsaw!

Feedback and case studies

Hear from some of our participants and employers below and find out how you can get involved to benefit your organisation in 2024.

Michael's story

Michael was the very first participant to sign up for Supported Employment back in March 2023. In this time, Michael has worked to improve his employability, update his CV, undertake volunteer work and represent the service at events such as the Big Health Day in Buile Hill Park. The team worked with Michael to develop his skills and help him to peruse his passion for horticulture, matching him to an employer who required this unique set of skills and qualifications. Michael's dedication along with the support he received from the service has led to him securing a paid Gardeners role at Ordsall Hall. Michael's success is not only a personal achievement but an example of how Supported Employment can provide assistance for neurodiverse individuals with unique skills and abilities to find meaningful employment.

“Since Michael began his employment, his attitude has demonstrated the transition from being a volunteer to becoming a paid member of staff. He is exceptionally meticulous and gentle with any tasks he is given, and he became very strict with his time management to ensure he adheres to his agreed working hours.  Which demonstrates his transition from being volunteer to an employee. The quality of his work remains as strong as before.” Feedback from Joanna Green at Salford Community Leisure.

“Since Michael started his employment, he has become more settled. It's the job he loves you see. Initially, timekeeping was an issue; however, we had conversations explaining that paid employment is a bit different from volunteering. Since then, this hasn't been an issue.” Feedback from Sharon – Supported Tenancy Manager.

Jack's story

Jack's one of the earliest participants in the Supported Employment Service. Jack's involvement with the service has seen him overcome significant challenges including anxiety. The support Jack received has helped him to secure three job interviews and a job offer for a Finance Officer role at Salford City Council. Jack's journey with Supported Employment demonstrates the transformative power of perseverance, support, and a positive attitude. Supported Employment can help individuals overcome challenges and achieve their career goals through determination and support. We eagerly anticipate Jack's continued success in his journey toward meaningful employment.

Participant Feedback

“I struggled to find something I wanted to do and go for, but since support came in, it’s been great. We have made progress with job interviews and assessment days, something I would have struggled with previously. Now it’s time to find the right thing and hopefully get the right job/apprenticeship."

“Nicolas has found the whole service absolutely amazing. He is especially happy with the relationship he has built up with Emma, his key worker. She has been extremely thorough, patient and understanding of Nick’s particular set of abilities. She has guided him through every step of the way, from gathering background information, pulling together his portfolio, applying for jobs and even driving Nick to interview. Every step has been thoroughly explained to Nicholas as always, the final decision was his."

Employer Feedback

“We began our partnership with the Supported Employment Service because we were facing difficulties in hiring. We made one of our three vacant positions available to their participants, and recently, we have offered the Finance Officer position to one of the candidates from the service. Our experience collaborating with the service has been great.” Feedback from Caron Hilton, Accounts Receivable Team Leader at Salford City Council

"For any future opportunities we would certainly consider adopting joint approach to recruitment going forward with Supported Employment Service." Feedback from Joanna Green, Head Gardner at Salford Community Leisure.

Find out how you can refer someone for support or how your organisation can get involved

Salford Supported Employment Service is commissioned by Salford City Council and provided by the Growth Company. The service helps people with learning disabilities and/or autism who are currently unemployed to find suitable paid jobs. The service provides people with one-to-one support, including in-work training and guidance for both participants and employers, which can include workplace adjustments to benefit all employees.

The Supported Employment Service is currently a two-year programme, and at the moment the deadline for participants to apply is 31 March 2024, so if you know somebody who might be interested don’t delay in contacting the team.

We’re hosting drop-in sessions at Gateways across Salford where you can come and chat to the team and ask any questions you may have. If you know someone who could benefit from our service please share this with them, we have lots more places available so please pop along to find out more 

January 2024

• Wednesday 10 January, Eccles Gateway 10am to 2pm
• Wednesday 17 January, Swinton Gateway 10am to 2pm
• Wednesday 24 January, Walkden Gateway, 10am to 2pm
• Wednesday 31 January, Pendleton Gateway, 10am to 2pm

If you would like to find out more about Supported Employment and / or benefit from the free training and support available to you and your organisation, please contact Nicola Griffiths or David Timperley below.

You can reach us at SupportedEmploymentService@salford.gov.uk or call us on 0161 793 2533