What Next
When you are coming close to the end of training, there are some people and some organisations who can help you decide what to do next.
The local Jobs & Benefits offices have a team of Pathways Advisors who help employers recruit and retain employees with health problems or disabilities. They also give people with disabilities information on what help is available for people looking for work.
The Disablement Advisory Service have specialist Access to Work Advisors who can look at the support needs of people with disabilities in work.
An Occupational Psychology Service is also available for consultancy, advice and guidance in areas relating to work, disability and health.
The information below has been taken from a variety of sources including the Department for Employment and Learning website. You can get more information on all the programmes below by contacting an Advisor in your local Jobs & Benefits office or Jobcentre or by ringing their free phone number 0800 353 530.
Pathways to Work
What is Pathways to Work?
It aims to help people with disabilities or health problems to consider their options for returning to work.
Who can Join?
Anyone who is out of work, not in a training programme and receiving one of the following benefits will be required to join Pathways to work.
Benefits:
- Employment and Support Allowance
- Incapacity Benefit
- Income Support (because of incapacity)
- Severe Disablement Allowance
- Those appealing against a decision on incapacity to work
What Support is Available?
Your local Jobs & Benefits office will meet you to discuss what difficulties you are having in trying to get a job and he/she will give you information on what help or support is available, such as the condition management programme or the Work Preparation Programme.
How do I get more information?
By contacting your Pathways Advisor at your local Jobs and Benefits Office.
New Deal for Disabled People
What is New Deal for Disabled People?
This is a voluntary programme delivered throughout Northern Ireland by a network of training providers. It aims to support individuals in preparing for work, finding work and during the first 6 months of employment.
Who can Join?
- To join New Deal for Disabled People, you must recieve a health related benefit
What Support is Available?
- Help you decide what type of work you would like to do
- Give you advice about the available jobs
- Help you prepare for and find employment
- Decide what type of training you need and give you support through this training
- Help you to apply for jobs
- Give you support during the first 6 months in work so that employment is secured
How Do I Get More Information?
If you want to find out more information then you should contact your local Jobs and Benefits Office.
Steps to Work
What is Steps to Work?
Steps to Work aims to assess your needs and help you take the right steps towards getting a job.
Who Can Join?
- Anyone who is over 18 years old who not in work or who is working less than 16 hours a week
What Support is Available?
- An advisor will complete a personal Action Plan with you and will give you support to improve your chances of getting a job
- Advice and guidance will be given and you will have the opportunity to complete short training courses
- You can gain qualifications
- You can build on existing skills
- Support can be given towards child care and travel costs.
- If you receive benefits, these will not be affected if you join Steps to Work plus you will receive a weekly training allowance
- In-work support is available for up to 12 weeks after you begin work
Steps to Work Employers Subsidy
This is assistance for employers and is available for up to 26 weeks.
- Employers will have access to potential employees
- Employers may receive assistance towards the cost of their wages
- Employers will receive advice and support
- Employers may be entitled to financial assistance towards the cost of training an employee between the ages of 18 to 24 years old
- Employers will be expected to continue employ the individual, provided he or she performs the job satisfactorily.
How Do I Get More Information?
For more information contact your local Jobs and Benefits Office.
Workable (NI)
What is Workable (NI)?
- Provides individual support to meet the needs of disabled employees and their employers in a wide variety of jobs.
- A support package based on individual needs will be agreed between the employee, employer and support worker.
Who is Eligible?
- People who are disabled as defined by the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.
- Those whose disability has a substantial impact on their ability to carry out a particular job.
- Employees must work at least 16 hours a week.
What Support is Available?
The programme can help employers to recruit or retain disabled staff and it can support disabled jobseekers in gaining employment by providing practical support in the workplace including:
- Effective workplace support to disabled employees- reinforcing positive behaviours
- Job coaching- assisting employees to gain the workskills for the job
- Monitoring reasonable adjustment- giving advice and assistance on successful reasonable adjustments
- Supporting the employer and co-workers
- ·Support with development costs
- Delivery of Disability Awareness training for the employer and co-workers
How do I get more information?
You can contact a Placement Officer at Disability Action or the Pathways Advisor at your local Jobs and Benefit Office.
Access to Work
What is Access to Work?
Access to Work assists people with disabilities who want to get a job or who are in a job and experiencing difficulties because of their disability. It is also a support programme for employers who would like to employ individuals with disabilities.
Who Can Join?
- People who are disabled as defined by the Disability Discrimination Act 1995
- People who need support at a job interview or people who have a job
What Support is Available?
- Financial assistance to employers for reasonable adjustment changes needed to the work place
- Provision of special equipment or aids to suit particular work needs
- Financial assistance for communication support
- Financial assistance towards training for employers and co-workers on disability awareness
- Support can be given if practical help is needed
- Financial assistance towards travelling costs to and from work
- Support is allowed for up to a maximum of 3 years. Towards the end of the approved period of support the disabled person’s circumstances are reassessed and support can be offered for a further period of up to three years and so on.
How Do I Get More Information?
For further information on how to be referred to Access to Work, contact your local Jobs and Benefits Office. The advisor will refer you on to an Access to Work Officer.
Job Introduction Scheme (JIS)
What is Job Introduction Scheme (JIS)?
This programme is a job trial which lasts for up to 13 weeks. It offers the employer and the individual with the disability the opportunity to try the work and find out if the job is a good match to the individuals skills.
Who Can Join?
- People who are disabled as defined by the Disability Discrimination Act 1995
What Support is Available?
- Employers will receive a grant towards the cost of employing the individual throughout the job trial
- At the end of the 13 week period a Personal Advisor will review the job trial with the employer and individual
How Do I Get More Information?
For further information contact your local Jobs and Benefits Office.
