Employment and training

We offer a broad spectrum of employment and training options geared to a wide range of needs, from less work focused community support services to job retention schemes. This spectrum allows individuals to choose the services which best suit their needs and move between them over time, for example, from a sheltered workplace with access to training, to open employment with intensive on-the-job support.

Employment and training services

Employment and training services we offer include:

• supported employment
• work preparation schemes
• certificated training
• links to local employers and volunteering opportunities
• in-house IT training
• CV writing and interview skills
• mentoring
• job retention schemes
• employer support

We are also working in partnership with social firms to develop opportunities for those using our employment and training services to gain paid employment within them.

Initially, each individual is given a detailed assessment, based on the goals he or she wants to achieve, which forms the basis for a stepped plan. The interests, needs, skills and aspirations of the people using the service are central to their individual plans and they are fully involved in their development.

The plans identify the support people need to build on their abilities and develop work skills so they achieve and sustain their goals. Options may include in-house or external training, college courses, work experience and voluntary or paid work. Their views are also central to the Service Advisory Group which evaluates each service’s performance and we encourage the involvement of people who use our employment and training services in all aspects of our work, from initial planning through to day-to-day management.

Inclusion is a key factor in the way our services operate. Some of our training services, like Rethink Graphics, are run as successful small businesses, where the people using the service work on a partnership basis with our staff. Working together as a team, they are involved in all aspects of the business including day-to-day running, planning, budgeting and dealing with customers as well as the production of goods and services.

We also access local businesses and accredited training providers, where people are able to build their skills and confidence while benefiting from the supportive environment of our employment services.

We believe that everyone with severe mental illness is entitled to respect, the right to be heard and to be included in every aspect of their care and treatment on the road to recovery. We also believe that the right training and support can be a major factor leading to recovery and that the work and access to work we provide for those using our services is valued by them, employers and by the community.

What people say about our employment and training services

In a survey of people that use our services carried out by our Research Team, 99 per cent of people using our employment and training services feel that staff and volunteers listen to them, are approachable, treat them with dignity and respect, and have trust and confidence in staff and volunteers.