North West

From welfare to work

Any person who has a disability – whether it be a learning or physical disability, sensory impairment and/or mental health issue – is between the ages of 16-60 and lives in County Durham, can access the Welfare to Work Unit (W2WU) service.

Since 1999, the W2WU, which is part of the Social Services Department (SSD), has provided a supported employment service for disabled adults who want to achieve and retain employment and who are already receiving another service within the SSD.

From July 2002, beneficiaries have been referred to W2WU from the Social Services, Health Authority, Primary Care Trust, the Education Department, Connexions and Jobcentre Plus. As these beneficiaries are already receiving other services, professional acknowledgement of their significant and complex needs and disabilities has previously been identified. It is recognised that the beneficiaries have serious barriers to overcome in order to achieve training and employment and by definition, require significant support mechanisms to enable them to get a job.

“Ongoing support is given to beneficiaries after they have found a paid job.“

The Welfare to Work Team: Joy Olivent (Countywide Team Clerk), Elaine Wall (Supported Employment Project Officer), Carole Hughes (Job Coach) and Carol Young (Project Officer, Training)

The W2WU also began providing a vocational training service, to enable beneficiaries to take part in training for qualifications in a supportive environment, to prepare them to be more ‘ employable’. While the ultimate aim of the service is to assist people with a disability into paid work, the service reaches this final goal by supporting people to take small steps to get there. To enable people to increase their confidence and experience (and eventual employability), W2WU provides support through vocational training, voluntary work, work experience and pre-employment training. And it doesn’t stop there. Ongoing support is given to beneficiaries after they have found a paid job– helping them retain employment.

Alison Bradford, W2WU Manager at Durham Social Services Department, said, “W2WU works on the principle that any job achieved by a service user, must pay (at least) the National Minimum Wage and that people must get the same terms and conditions of employment as a non-disabled person doing a similar job. There is still the expectation from some employers that people with a disability can be employed at a lower wage, or free in some cases. But the work carried out by the W2WU, is slowly changing this.”

W2WU has achieved significant success during the 4 years it has been established. “The success is due to the fact that it is truly a user-led service, along with the professionalism and dedication of the staff team,” said Alison.

A spokesperson from the Government Office North East said, “This is an excellent example of how support from ESF is helping to provide opportunities to people in the North East. The success figures for the project speak for themselves – over 100 people in County Durham have now been given the confidence and skills to apply for employment.”

W2WU is funded through two ESF bids, both co-financed by the Learning and Skills Council, County Durham with ESF funding: W2W 2, Basic Vocational Training and Supported Employment through policy field 2.2 and W2W 1, Further Vocational Training and Supported Employment through policy field 3.1. These projects allow the service to work both with individuals with basic skills needs and those wanting to achieve higher-level qualifications.

Want to know more?
Contact Alison Bradford on 01388 816895