Access All Areas Tracey Priestley Human Resource Officer – Equalities and Well-being
Background • RMBC’s desire to employ more people with a Learning Disability • Increasing numbers of unemployed – how could the Council help? • Initially an RMBC project but grew • Partnership Working
Gaining Agreement • RMBC’s Chief Executive and Senior Managers • Local Strategic Partners Chief Executive’s • Job Centre Plus
Timeline December 08 RMBC agreement January 09- Partner organisation ‘buy-in’ - Publicity materials developed February- Links with work preparation providers - Article in Rotherham News March - Publicity materials distributed - Launch Event Ongoing Placements arranged and monitored
Publicity Materials Designed by SpeakUp Printed by AdVenture
Rotherham News
March 2009 May 2009
Launch Event - Partner Organisations Placement Providers Work Prep Providers
Launch Event • 27 March 2009 • Attended by 108 people - 73 interested in a placement • 18 Information stalls • Catering – provided by staff and service users from RMBC’s Learning Disability Day Services Budget £500 - sponsored by:
Placement Process • One application for all • One to one meeting • Meeting with Manager • CRB, if needed • Placement starts • Monitoring • Evaluation
Placements • Administration -all organisations • CCTV - South Yorkshire Police • Community Safety Team- South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service • ‘Hands On’ roles- working alongside caretakers, electricians, estates staff, gardeners, plumbers, storekeepers – RMBC & 2010 Rotherham Ltd • Reception areas- Rotherham College, South Yorkshire Police
Tom • Has not worked since 2007 – working with BTCV • Has a musculoskeletal problem • Asked for NHS admin placement • Given IT placement with NHS Rotherham – successful • Now working for NHS , via agency, 40 hours a week
Quotes from Tom “ This project appeared to be a great opportunity to get myself back in the mainstream work place. It also allowed me to build on my C.V and gain a work reference. Another benefit was that I had a say in what type of work I would be doing.” “[the job] couldn’t have happened without the help and support of yourself and many others who have helped me a long the way. I would certainly advise others who have been out of work for a long time to consider AAA.”
Steve • Age 55 • 27 years experience in building industry – • mainly domestic • Wheelchair user 95% of time • Placement – 2010 Rotherham Ltd
Rob • Age 30’s, Asperger’s Syndrome, working with • Remploy • Asked for data input work • On discussion did not want interruptions that • could put him off his tasks • Placement – RMBC, transferring information to • an IT system – placement going very well
Gillian • Age 22 • Working with Mencap • Not sure what she wants to do • Placement in a Children’s Centre – varied work – cooking, working with children and admin
James • Last worked in 2003 • Has a mental health condition • Volunteers at Voluntary Action Rotherham • Wants to work in voluntary sector • Clerical placement at a day centre run by a charity • Has applied for permanent clerical job
David • Age 64, wants to work as a cleaner or gardener • Learning Disability Day Service Centre – gardening placement • Mencap offices – cleaning placement, potential to move onto a work trial
Sue • Last worked in August 2008 – senior Manager role • Developed mental health condition • Wanted to move into support/coaching job • Placement found at Drop-In Youth group • Finished placement to start new job with RMBC at the Ministry of Food – a partnership with Jamie Oliver
John • Working with Mencap and Project 400 – an RMBC project in the Learning Disability Service providing horticultural training • Wanted a ‘hands on’ placement • Caretaking team placement • Excellent feedback so far
Karen • Age 30, never had paid worked • Working with Mencap • Has Level 2 NVQ in Business Administration • Did a placement in 2008, successful • Interviewed for two jobs, but unsuccessful • Now doing an AAA placement in a Housing office and in the NHS to increase her experiences
What Have We Learned? Positives • Well received • Willingness to offer and support placements • Increasing awareness about what people can do • Strengthened partnership working • Individual’s feedback • and – people are starting to get jobs
What Have We Learned? Challenges • Time – much more than anticipated • Finding placements • Placements for ‘vulnerable’ people • Funding for adjustments • Support – level needed by some people
What Next... • AAA will continue in current format until March 2010 • Evaluation • Will always provide placements for disable people but the scale may be different
Contact Tracey Priestley 01709 823715 tracey.priestley@rotherham.gov.uk
