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Employment Services (Jobmatch) |
| Jobmatch is a supported employment scheme was
launched in 1993 in partnership with Bromley Social Services. It is a specialist employment service which has been developed to
cater for the employment needs of people with a learning disability. These needs include
having a real job with the same terms and conditions as colleagues, and being accepted as
a valued member of the workforce. Jobmatch implements a flexible approach to the individual needs of people with a learning disability, helping them to recognise their own potential and their right to paid employment. The project is funded from a number of sources. We have an Access to Work contract and work rehab contract with the Employment Service, an ESF project called "Pathways to Work", and inclusion which is in partnership with Royal Mencap's Pathway schemes. We also work in partnership with Bromley's Department of Social Services and Housing. It is a very successful project. Up until May 2001 we had placed no less than 145 people with a learning disability into open employment - real jobs - in the Borough. This is a real achievement. The most important element of Jobmatch is the ability to tailor support to the client's individual needs. Jobmatch offers support to the candidates their employers for whom the employment of a person with a learning disability may be a new experience. Our Employment Consultants can provide professional advice and guidance to candidates and their employers. As long as they can cope with open employment, people with severe and multiple disabilities can often be assisted. The Employment Consultant helps the applicant to identify individual skills, interests and employment potential. Most candidates participate in work preparation programmes,
which will differ according to the individual. They may include a variety of
elements including a specialised college course, a Government training programme,
attending a work experience programme on employers premises, or a combination of all of
these. The aim of the work preparation programme is to equip people with the skills necessary to obtain and keep a job. It also enables those with no previous experience to discover what it is like to go to work, and thus make an informed choice about their future. In all cases where an employment opportunity arises, the Employment Consultant will carry out a detailed "Job Analysis" to assess the requirements of the job and subsequently match this with the candidate's skills and abilities. Jobmatch candidates are successful in a wide variety of jobs, in both industry and commerce. It is a measure of the success of the project that some of our candidates have gained sufficient confidence to change jobs without help from us. Jobmatch are continually strives to extend the range of jobs to which their clients have access. |
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