The Education and
Employment Unit (E&E) encourages members to explore
work and study options. The Unit supports members to identify
and undertake their chosen route. The Unit also develops
innovative partnerships with colleges and employers to offer
tailor made options for Flourish House members.
Members
of Flourish House who wish to develop career or study options
can arrange one-to-one sessions with staff in the Unit.
These are used to identify aims and goals, agree on steps
that need to be taken and participate in regular reviews
for support and encouragement. Last year 83 members
of Flourish House received recognition for their effort
in work or study.
13 Members will soon
be attending "The Way Ahead - Links to Education"
course at Stow College. The course is run twice a week and
lasts until the end of June.
Flourish
House currently has 13 Transitional Employment Placements
(TEPs) within a variety of settings. Placements are available
in retail, administration, catering and domestic services.
TEPs are part-time, entry-level jobs negotiated by Flourish
House with local employers. Placement Managers from Flourish
House learn the job and support members in the job until
the member is able to work independently. Regular
reviews take place between the member, the employer and
the Placement Manager to ensure the placement runs smoothly.
TEPs are ultimately
designed to offer a first step back into employment for
members. Members can gain up-to-date work experience
in real work places, and once completed gives access to
a recent reference from an employer – something that
is crucial when planning a return to work after any absence.
Those members who are
keen to secure their own job can access support through
the Supported Employment Programme. Members work with their
co-worker from E&E on an action plan and vocational
profile, before moving onto job search skills, such as,
CV preparation, filling in application forms, interview
techniques and help through the benefits maze. Once
the member has secured a job they can have support on or
off the job depending on their individual needs. We
now have 19 members in their own jobs.
The
E&E Unit runs a centre, which holds detailed information
about welfare benefits, colleges and universities, the intermediate
labour market and programmes that support people back into
work. The centre also holds careers information, which
allows members and their co-workers to browse details on
jobs of interest and decide suitability. A recent
development has been colour coding the section of the centre
to allow for greater use.
Many people are
now working or studying and aren't able to come into Flourish
House regularly. This monthly dinner takes place on a Wednesday
evening and gives members the chance to catch up with each
other. There were 23 people at the last dinner and
this fun event looks set to get better and better.
