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Working for a change? The same as you?
Appendix 1 - What do we mean by supported employment?
Supported employment is real employment with ongoing support. There is a very strong consensus on the meaning of supported employment across the UK literature on learning disability:
Competitive work or self-employment in the competitive labour market on a full-time or part-time basis in an integrated setting for which an individual receives pay from the employer at or above the minimum wage, at the same level for similar work performed by employees who are not disabled.
Integrated work settings in normal, mainstream workplaces.
Ongoing support:
for both employer and employee
flexibly provided for as long as is necessary for disabled people to find work, and for as long as necessary once in work
may include both paid 'job coaching' and 'natural supports' from colleagues and employer
are tailored to the individual, and may include transport to work, job site training, family support or other services necessary to sustain employment
include those with the most severe learning disabilities
follow the individual's career goals at the pace that he or she sets, including seeking future work and developing a career.
(Weston, 2002; O'Bryan
et al., 2000; Evans, 1996; Beattie, 1999).
Supported employment does
not mean:
assuming that everyone wants paid work and coercing people into it
assuming that people must be 'work ready' before starting work, but assumes that the best place to learn about work is in the workplace
that on its own it will ensure social inclusion and equality
assuming that 'success' means coping with no support
sheltered workshops or unpaid work 'experience'.
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