Getting A Great Service
SUSE members are committed to the values and principles of Supported Employment. That means that every jobseeker should have a good experience and be treated with respect, have the right to make choices and receive a service that is tailored to their individual needs.
Here are 10 tips to getting a great Supported Employment service:
- You should get lots of information on the service and good quality information before deciding to sign up for a supported employment programme.
- The programme is voluntary – you can withdraw at any time if you are not happy or it isn’t the right time for you to look for a job but please take the time to talk it through with your provider before making a decision.
- At every stage of the programme you should be able to make choices and decisions – the provider shouldn’t be doing anything you haven’t agreed to.
- You should be able to bring along anyone you want when you meet with the supported employment service such as your family, friends or an advocate.
- The provider won’t do everything for you – they should help you to do as much as you can for yourself. When you sign up for a service you need to be willing to carry out the actions you agree to.
- It’s important to be realistic. If you haven’t worked before your first job probably won’t be everything you want it to be, but it should give you the chance to progress onto the next thing.
- The provider should be able to give you any communication support you need such as Easy Read materials or a sign language interpreter.
- Most people have to apply for lots of jobs and go to lots of interviews before they are offered a job. It can be very frustrating but it’s important to stay positive, rejection is just part of the process.
- When you enter a job the supported employment service should give you any support you need. This might include job coaching, arranging a workplace mentor or training. They should support you for as long as you need.
- If you are unhappy with the service you are getting you should be able to make a complaint and the supported employment service should give you an full explanation.
