Forwards Supported Work Experience Programme (FSWEP)

During recent discussions with employers and people with disabilities and health conditions as part of the Improving Lives Green Paper consultation we received feedback that work experience is extremely important in order to;
• Help individuals increase their capacity for work and to understand how their condition may affect them and what support they may need
• Help employers to build their confidence around employing disabled people and people with health conditions

Gloucestershire County Council (GCC) would like to trial a supported work placement scheme for people with Learning Disabilities. The placements will be set within the Care Sector. We have chosen this sector for the trial as there are always a number of vacancies within the sector and it is an area of work which is often misunderstood in terms of people making judgements about what it involves.

Scope
• To provide a minimum of 12 supported work experience placements over a 12 month period for people with a Learning Disability as identified by Forwards Employment Service (FES)
• Each placement must be for a minimum of 8 hours per week but should represent the individual’s capacity
• Each placement must last for at least 8 weeks
• The provider will be responsible for providing support for the individual (Access to Work Claims may be made for recompense of the in work support if allowed by DWP – FES can provide support with this if required)
• The provider will be expected to;
o Identify employers within the care sector
o Develop (with FES Job Broker) an individual development plan which will be updated on a regular basis
o Undertake risk assessment (with FES Job Broker)
o Provide in work support and all employer liaison
o Undertake weekly monitoring
o Maintain dialogue with FES Job Broker
o Provide an assessment at the end of the period identifying progress, support needs etc
o
It is expected that at least 50% of participants will move into paid work following the programme.

Interested providers should read the attachment and then respond via this advert on Pro Contract - please upload your response in Word format using word count information.

PLEASE SUPPLY ALL INFORMATION REQUESTED IN THE ATTACHMENT