Supported employment provides real work in integrated work settings with ongoing support provided by an agency with expertise in finding employment for people who are disadvantaged in the labour market. (Association for Supported Employment Agencies, UK, 1998)
Supported Employment involves the use of support strategies to enable individuals to:
There are various organisations providing help and support in the work place for people with disabilities. Many are listed on our ''Signposting' information sheet'. Support is available for people looking for work as well as those already in work. It is available for both full-time or part-time workers.
Prior to a disabled person finding employment a range of support is available, such as:
Support can also be for a disabled person already in work and includes help for employers as well as employees. This may be
Supported employment organisations can help employers with a range of situations at work that a disabled person may require specific help with, such as:
That the primary aim of human services is to promote individual rights, human dignity and create opportunities for integrated social and economic inclusion
All individuals can achieve social and economic inclusion through employment opportunities
All individuals have the right to make self-determined decisions and choices about their employment careers.
Many individuals need varying degrees of support to enable them to fulfil their employment aspirations and meet the employer's needs.
All individuals should be entitled to the same pay and conditions, and have access to the same learning, training and career development opportunities, as their non-disadvantaged co-workers.
