At ECL we aim to support people to fulfil their potential and live independently in their own homes and local communities. Our Inclusive Employment team embody this aim by supporting adults with learning disabilities to achieve paid employment through an innovative and bespoke job-matching service.
The Inclusive Employment Service was founded in April 2020 on the belief that anyone can get a job who wants one, while challenging any past assumption that people with learning disabilities ‘can’t’ or ‘don’t want’ to work. The service aims to create sustained, paid employment opportunities for individuals with learning disabilities and autism by closely understanding their career ambitions, skills and personal interests. The team go above and beyond to find or create the perfect role, from offering tailored careers advice and vocational profiling, to supporting individuals with job interviews, work trials and qualifications.
The Inclusive Employment team are also committed to addressing equality in the workplace by helping to change attitudes, behaviours and cultures within businesses across Essex. The team guide employers step-by-step through the recruitment process, matching candidates to vacancies and aiding employers with adapting interviews and inductions. The support continues with on-the-job coaching and advice to ease any anxieties that employers may have about inclusive recruitment.
Despite the pandemic in the past year with furlough and uncertainty in the general employment market, 66 adults in Essex have gained and sustained a paid role and a further 32 adults were supported into a voluntary position. The team has also had positive conversations with over 685 Essex-based employers about becoming Disability Confident.
One employer who has embraced the Inclusive Employment opportunity is Richard Trower, the owner of Geek Retreat, a vibrant café and shop in Chelmsford, who employs Ellen Schultz, aged 30, who has Down’s Syndrome, for one afternoon each week. He commented “when ECL contacted me to enquire whether I would consider employing someone with a learning disability I was open to the idea as it fitted in well with our inclusive ethos. I had over 200 applications, but I could see that Ellen had the relevant skills. She gave some exceptionally good answers in the interview, better than many of the other candidates. It was apparent that she was well prepared, and most importantly, she showed she really wanted the job. It has been great to give Ellen the opportunity of employment, she is more than capable of doing the job and it’s reassuring to know that both and Ellen and myself have the back-up from ECL if needed, I would definitely recommend inclusive employment to other employers.”
To find out how you can become an Inclusive Employer and benefit from an untapped pool of talented, loyal job candidates visit our website or contact us at: Inclusive.Employment@essexcares.org