Being in work can have a huge impact on your quality of life. Employment affords dignity and
respect as well as financial independence.
- 1. What do you want to achieve?
- If you are of working age the long-term goal may be to enter into – or remain in – full or part-time employment. Alternatively your goal may be to take part in work-related activities such as volunteering.There are a number of options open to you if you would like to return to work. You could choose to work full or part-time, and to get specialist support to sustain you in employment. You could also use a specialist employment service such as an employment project or supported work scheme, or make use of occupational therapy services.If you are already employed you could set outcomes for returning to or remaining in work with your current employer. You can request reasonable adjustments from your employer using your rights under equality law.Other goals may include becoming a trainee or apprentice or setting up your own business.
2. What actions need to be taken or services need to be provided to achieve your goals?
Next think about the actions that need to be taken to achieve your goals, and what services need to be provided to support you.
Services could include:
● Employment project/supported work scheme
● Occupational therapy
● Jobcentre Plus
● Advice, guidance and information from an agency such as the Citizens Advice Bureau.
Actions could include:
● Registering at your local Jobcentre Plus or with a recruitment agency
● Searching for jobs online and in the papers
● Writing CVs and job applications
● Identifying volunteering opportunities
● Talking to someone about how employment will affect your benefits
● Identifying the support you will need to sustain a job
● Finding out what training and education might help you get a job
● Finding trainee or apprenticeship opportunities
● Discussing with your employer any reasonable adjustments that can be made to accommodate you
● Talking to a Citizens Advice Bureau adviser about how employment may affect your benefits
● Getting advice on setting up a business.
3. Who can support you to achieve your goals?
Your local Jobcentre Plus can provide a range of support to help you find a job.
Other supporters may include:
● Employer
● Specialist employment service
● Occupational Therapist
● Shelter Cymru
● Work colleagues
● Citizens Advice Bureau
● Business Connect Wales
● Careers Wales
● Shaw Trust
● Remploy
and/or
● A family member and/or other carer
● Care Coordinator
● You!
More resources and links on Work & Occupation
● Careers Wales is the best place to start: http://www.careerswales.com/en/ – extensive information on all aspects of work in Wales (not so good for actual vacancies except some opportunities for young people)
● Universal Jobmatch is the latest version of the official Job Centre list of vacancies https://www.gov.uk/jobsearch
● Wales on Line (Western Mail) jobs section is here https://uk.jobted.com
● Wales Council for Voluntary Action’s online volunteering service http://www.volunteering-wales.net/
● See also our section on Education and Training https://www.hafal.org/recovery/education-training/
CLICK BELOW to watch a video about our Big Lottery-funded Short Steps service which includes interviews with clients who have entered employment as part of their recovery from a mental illness.
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