What’s on offer
The DSN is for anyone in the London boroughs of Enfield, Haringey and Waltham Forest with an interest in the field of disability and employment. It provides services for:
Services for disabled individuals seeking routes into employment
Disabled people who have been away from the labour market for some time may experience a lack of confidence or motivation. Any difficulties in finding a job can be made worse by complicated procedures, lack of direction or negative attitudes. In addition, many people feel that although unemployment may be bad for their general well being, they worry that actually managing a job may in itself, have a negative impact on their health.
The DSN partnership has investigated good practice from within its own partners’ experience and beyond. The recommendation is that in order to deliver best outcomes, it is preferable to adopt a personalised case management approach. Typically, this will include taking time to build a picture of the individual’s skills and interests, past experiences, aspirations, likes, dislikes and preferred areas and hours or work. In this way, people can make informed choices from a menu-driven approach. This may include:
- Job search assistance and support
- Work-focussed skills training
- Condition management programmes
- Work trials
- Work experience programmes
- Transitional employment placements
- Structured voluntary employment
- In-work support
- Open employment.
If you are a disabled person seeking work or if you know of or are assisting a disabled person into work then please contact us.
Services for existing delivery organisations, job-brokers, disability groups and health professionals.
The DSN is linking together professional organisations and services that have disability employment on their agenda.
Working across the Enfield, Haringey and Waltham Forest, the DSN will:
- Map existing services and providers involved in assisting disabled people into employment or training (voluntary, statutory and private sector, including NHS)
- Map services that support disabled people in other capacities, such as PCTs, peer support groups etc.
- Map employer groups, support organisations, trade and sector focused bodies.
- Engage with local services and strategic partnerships that may influence local policy. This includes DSN representation within groups which promote pre-employment services for disabled people and which develop disability awareness amongst employers.
Services for employers
Employers often lack knowledge relating to the employment of a disabled person and may hold on to negative attitudes towards disabled people generally. They may not be aware of employees’ additional needs (actual and potential).
Employers’ negative attitudes are often perceived to be a barrier by disabled people and they may subsequently encourage non-disclosure of a disability or even a reluctance to apply for work at all.
The DSN will help employers with an array of services including:
- Advice on recruitment procedures
- Advice on making reasonable adjustments to accommodate a disabled person
- Understanding disability and the law
- Accessing grants
- Help with creating a mentally healthy workplace
If you are an employer and want to discuss how the DSN can assist you with a disability employment matter then please contact us.