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Salford Supported Employment Newsletter
Your Spring update from the Team 🌱
We're celebrating one year of the Salford Supported Employment Service! 🎂
It's been one heck of a year - and we are so proud of all the progress we've made. Of course, we couldn't have done it without all the support of all of the amazing partners we have worked with. Thank you once again, and we look forward to continuing our work with you.
We are so proud of the participants and all their hard work and dedication. Over the past year, the service has helped participants to secure 128 on-programme starts and 17 job starts with local employers! The jobs have been in a range of job roles (see above image) part-time and full-time and with salaries ranging from £20k - £40k per annum.
Charlie's story
Doodledo is a prominent business in the creative industry, demonstrating remarkable dedication to inclusivity by partnering with our Supported Employment Service. Together, we provided an inclusive work placement for a Charlie, who had a passion for the creative field. Despite facing communication barriers, Charlie was successfully employed at Doodledo with the assistance of our service.
Charlie's placement started with a visit, allowing Charlie to meet the team and ease in to the working environment. Accompanied by his key worker, Emma, Charlie was introduced to the studio team, ensuring his comfort and steady adjustment.
Charlie's integration into the studio exceeded expectations as he quickly adapted and engaged with the team. Communication with Charlie was facilitated through a dedicated Slack channel.
Additionally, Charlie participated in regular team activities, including joining the company’s fantasy football league and PlayStation sessions during lunch breaks. These activities were instrumental in creating a sense of belonging and social integration for Charlie.
Doodledo’s commitment to inclusivity extends beyond Charlie’s successful placement. Two more participants from our service have since connected with Doodledo through their networking breakfast, a monthly event that brings together creative individuals from diverse backgrounds.
Our experience with Doodledo showcases the value of partnerships between employers and supported employment services in providing meaningful and enriching work experiences like Charlie’s.
Lisa's story
When Lisa began her journey with Supported Employment, she faced various challenges and didn't feel quite ready for paid work. However, with determination and the support of her Key Worker, she embarked on a journey to address these obstacles.
Over the course of several months, Lisa accessed grants, managed her debts, received housing advice and childcare support. Despite initially feeling overwhelmed, Lisa quickly demonstrated her willingness to engage with services and build positive relationships with everyone involved.
Once most of her barriers were addressed, Lisa expressed readiness to enter work. Within just a month, she secured a job offer at Growth Company and has been receiving commendable feedback from her managers and colleagues ever since.
Lisa's story exemplifies the power of resilience, collaboration, and determination in overcoming barriers to employment. We are thrilled to have been part of her journey and look forward to witnessing her continued success.
Reverse job fair
We had an amazing turnout at our first ever Reverse Job Fair at Eccles Town Hall on Tuesday 26 March!
❓ What exactly is a Reverse Job Fair? It's an event designed for adults with learning disabilities or autism who are seeking employment. At a reverse job fair, the traditional job search script is flipped: employers visit candidate stands, engaging in relaxed conversations about potential opportunities, while candidates have the chance to showcase their skills and aspirations. This event breaks down barriers, creates connections and champions inclusivity.
👋 Let us introduce you to Tom and his mum (pictured above). Tom, who has a learning disability, is actively seeking a job in retail, sports coaching or construction. Tom's mum expressed, "The Reverse Job Fair offers a fantastic opportunity for employers to approach Tom, which makes the process much less daunting for him. Tom sometimes struggles with communication, so this platform allows him to effectively convey his strengths to potential employers."
Paul, representing FTW Training, was among the employers in attendance. He commented, "The event was truly exceptional and filled with talented individuals. It was insightful to learn about their aspirations and career goals. Overall, I wholeheartedly enjoyed the experience, and I look forward to future Reverse Job Fairs."
Keep an eye out for our next Reverse Job Fair, taking place on Friday 6 September 2024.
Supported internships
What is a supported internship?
We recently celebrated National Supported Internship Day on Wednesday 27 March, with an aim to encourage more employers to host a supported intern.
A supported internship is a learning programme for young people aged 16 to 24 with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). The internship is delivered over the course of a full academic year (September to June), with placements rotating every eight to 12 weeks. Typically, interns will attend their placement for four days per week, with a typical day involving 1.5 hours of classroom-based learning and between three and four hours spent on placement with their host employer.
If you work for a business that is able to offer a supported internship, we want to hear from you! As an employer, it is so rewarding taking on a supported intern and helping them to achieve their goals. There are also many benefits for the business, including:
🌟 new perspectives
🌟 diversity promotion
🌟 a boost to your workplace inclusivity
🌟 shaping a job role to the needs of your business
Blaine's story
Since joining Salford Royal as a Porter for his supported internship, Blaine has shown significant improvements. His strong work ethic and dedication have evolved into refined organisational skills, enhanced communication, and a proactive problem-solving approach. Blaine's commitment to continuous learning make him an invaluable asset to the hospital's Porter team, showcasing his impressive growth since the beginning of his placement.
Blaine's employer said: "Blaine has truly become a great addition to our team since starting his placement. His dedication, quick adaptability, and positive attitude is great to have in our department and around the hospital."
Blaine hopes to stay with Salford Royal and progress onto a paid role there after finishing his internship.
Worsley Park Marriott Hotel
The Supported Employment team approached the Manchester Hoteliers Association regarding placements for students on the Supported Internship programme.
Hearing the stories about some of the students, Laura at Manchester Hoteliers Association was able to link the team up with the General Manager at Worsley Park Marriott Hotel to provide a placement for a learner called Caitlin who had shown an interest in the industry. Caitlin is now enjoying her placement at the hotel and her successful placement may lead to an an offer of support for other likeminded students who are ready to start a work placement.
Caitlin’s job coach, Natalie, said: "Caitlin has settled in really well and her manager seems happy too! The team at the Marriott have been great at giving her a range of tasks to do to support her strengths and give her the best experience."
If you are interested in hosting a supported internship, email gemma.fitzpatrick@salford.gov.uk or visit our webpage.
Business training opportunity - neurodiversity in the workplace
If your business would like to learn more about neurodivergence and how you can better integrate and support people in your workplace, join us for a free information session to support employers. Delivered on Microsoft Teams, we'll cover a broad range of neurodivergences and provide usable strategies and takeaways to implement.
Aims of the session:
⚙️ develop your knowledge and understanding of different neurodivergences
⚙️ explore strategies to attract, recruit, and retain neurodivergent staff
⚙️ hear from neurodiverse individuals who have been recruited and employers who have recruited
⚙️ discover how adjustments for neurodivergence can make your workplace more accessible, inclusive, and welcoming to all
⚙️ network and engage with other colleagues and businesses
Reserve your space here. For further information, please contact supportedemploymentservice@salford.gov.uk.
Find out how you can refer someone for support or how you can get involved
Salford Supported Employment Service is commissioned by Salford City Council and delivered by the Growth Company. The service helps people with learning disabilities 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, 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 residents can chat to the team and ask any questions they may have. If you know someone who could benefit from our service, please share this with them.
Swinton Gateway, 100 Chorley Road, Swinton, M27 6BP
Tuesday 14 May 10am - 2pm
Wednesday 19 June 10am - 2pm
Wednesday 24 July 10am - 2pm
Eccles Gateway, 28 Barton Lane, Eccles M30 0TU
Thursday 23 May 10am - 2pm
Thursday 27 June 10am - 2pm
Walkden Gateway, 2 Smith Street, Walkden M28 3EZ
Wednesday 29 May 10am - 2pm
Tuesday 2 July 10am - 2pm
Pendleton Gateway, 1 Broadwalk, Salford M6 5FX
Tuesday 4 June 10am - 2pm
Wednesday 10 July 10am - 2pm
Broughton Hub, 50 Rigby St, Lower Broughton M7 4BQ
Thursday 9 May 10am - 2pm
Tuesday 11 June 10am - 2pm
Tuesday 16 July 10am - 2pm
If you would like to find out more about Supported Employment or benefit from the free training and support available to you and your organisation, please contact us.
