All About You.....Sasha Chloe Smith
Sasha is 19 and lives in Rhondda Cynon Taf. She has been working from the age of 16 and has just started a new job in Cardiff city centre. Sasha has Cerebral Palsy and is a wheelchair user. I met with Sasha to talk about her new job.
· What is your job?
I am just about to start a new full-time job as a Helpline Operator for the Equality and Human Rights Commission, which launched on the 1st of October. I have just completed 4 weeks of training on equality and discrimination law in preparation for this role.
· What does your job involve?
I will be advising the public on the law in relation to human rights and discrimination on the grounds of gender, disability, race, sexual orientation, religious belief and age.
· Were any workplace adjustments made for you?
The Access to Work service provided by Job Centre Plus is awesome! They assess what you need to make doing your job easier and provided me with aids and equipment ranging from an electric stapler to a motorised wheelchair, and they can even cover the costs of transportation to and from work.
· What did you do before this job?
I started working at a cinema and then did a 2 week work placement at the Welsh Assembly. This led me to apply for a job with the Disability Rights Commission, where I worked as an Administration Officer for one year.
· Do you see any barriers in disabled people gaining employment?
There can be physical barriers, but employers are required to assess your mobility needs and have a duty to make reasonable adjustments for you.
· What advice would you give to disabled young people who are wondering about careers?
Don’t let anything phase you, there are lots of options out there and support is available. Contact the disability advisers at the Job Centre, submit lots of CVs and don’t give up! Employers cannot discriminate against you because you are disabled, as this is unlawful.
· What do you like to do in your spare time?
Listening to metal/rock music, going to gigs, and I love spending time with my American boyfriend, Brandon Kevin Robbins.
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Elite Supported Employment Agency
Elite Supported Employment Agency is a charitable organisation that provides support and training to help learning disabled people in Rhondda Cynon Taf to access vocational experiences and paid employment.
Elite runs a work experience programme for young people aged over fourteen with a learning disability who attend both special and mainstream schools. Within special schools in Rhondda Cynon Taf, Elite provides a six-week programme consisting of OCN accredited vocational courses, such as ‘Preparing for Work’ and ‘Health and Safety’, which are then followed by a work experience placement.
Placements are available in a wide range of work environments and young people are matched to suitable placements, taking account of their interests. Throughout the work placement, Elite job trainers provide the young person with one to one support, which includes travel training, where the young person is supported to and from work on public transport. Once the individual’s confidence grows, the job trainer’s support is withdrawn to maximise the person’s independence.
Work experience placements can progress to supported job seeking for paid employment when the young person reaches the age of sixteen.
If you have a learning disability, are aged over fourteen and are interested in an Elite work placement, whether you are in a mainstream or special school, please express your interest via your schoolteacher, who can then contact the appropriate Elite project.
For further information, please contact Elite on 01443 226664
Please click on the above logos to visit Elite's website
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Vision Products Workstep Programme
The Vision Products Workstep programme is a government funded scheme that supports disabled people living in Rhondda Cynon Taf who are aged 16 and over to gain or retain employment.
They also offer work experience placements for young people from the age of 14 and paid placements for young people aged 16 and over that may then develop into a job. The Workstep team provide a work preparation course, which gives disabled people an opportunity to try out employment.
The Workstep programme provides support to 85 disabled people within Vision Products and to a further 60 disabled people working within other organisations, and they look after people in positions ranging from cleaners to managing directors.
The Workstep team provide comprehensive training and are committed to furthering the skills development of the people they support to gain or retain employment by providing each person with an individually tailored development plan, which may involve, for example, working towards qualifications such as NVQs or improving communication skills through mentoring.
The Workstep programme is subject to eligibility criteria.
Alternatively, you can contact the Disability Employment Advisor at your local Job Centre Plus.
Please click on the above logos to visit Vision Products' website
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Adults Towards Independence Group
The Adults Towards Independence Group is run by Community and Children’s Services and is composed of people aged 16 to 50 who have a permanent physical disability or chronic illness. The group arrange a varied programme of activities that are geared towards members’ needs and collective preferences. Joining the group is a great opportunity to make new friends to socialise with.
Members of the scheme can benefit from group support and advice in areas such as preparation for employment, vocational training schemes, independent living, direct payments, benefits, housing and equipment. The group also provide education and training programmes that reflect your interests.
To apply to join the group please speak to your social worker or contact the Adult Services Duty Desk on 01443 486731, who will arrange for an assessment to be undertaken to confirm your eligibility.
For further information about the group, please contact Jason Howells on 01443 484109
Click the logo above to visit the ATI Group's website
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Transition Guide
Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council has recently published a new booklet entitled ‘A Parent/Carers Guide to Transition and Transition Planning: Assisting your Child into Adulthood’.
The booklet sets out the Transition planning process and additional support services for children who have a Statement of Educational Needs or a note in lieu. The guide aims to assist you in helping your child to plan for their future as they grow into a young adult, and also provides useful contact details relating to transition.
Please click the above links to view the content of the Transition booklet
To request a copy of the booklet, please contact Martin Green on 01443 827048 (Mon-Wed) or 01443 444300 (Thu-Fri) or email: Martin.A.Green@rhondda-cynon-taff.gov.uk
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[...Employment Links...]
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The HSE website provides information about disability discrimination and health and safety law and advice for disabled people and their employers about disability equality and health and safety.
The Job Centre website, featuring information about the support the job centre can provide to disabled job seekers, including information about Workstep, Access to Work and FAQs, in the ‘Help for Disabled People’ section.
A site for young people that includes information about careers, work experience, money and benefits.
Featuring a range of careers information from career ideas to producing a CV and attending interviews.
The Citizens Advice Bureau site, featuring a range of useful information in the employment section.
Website for people with a learning disability, providing user friendly information about work.
Employment Opportunities is a national charity dedicated to helping people with all disabilities and medical conditions to find and retain work.
The Learn Direct site provides useful careers information and job seeking advice.
Skill is the National Bureau for Students with Disabilities and promotes opportunities for young people and adults with any disability in post 16 education, work based learning and entry into employment.
The Directgov site provides a user-friendly guide to UK employment law, including pay and the right to request flexible working.
A site offering a guide to life for young adults aged 16 to 25. As well as providing access to advice, the site also enables young people to get support from other young people going through similar situations.
The information website for young people aged 11 to 25 produced by Careers Wales and sponsored by the Welsh Assembly Government. The site includes information about employment, training and education.
A website aimed at 16-25 year olds, providing information on a wide range of areas including an Employment and Training section that features lots of useful tips.
Remploy provide an employment service tohelp disabled people, people with a health condition and others to make the most of their skills and to gain or retain sustainable employment. Details of Remploy's Cardiff branch can be found on the website.
A website that focuses on the transition between childhood and adulthood, featuring a section about employment.
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