Małgorzata GorącyThe Lower Silesia Association for Children and Youth with Cerebral Palsy „OSTOJA”

The experience of the Wroclaw TRENER programme –

When impossible becomes possible”

Brussels 06.11.2012

The Wroclaw TRENER programme

A result of cooperation between:

Disability NGOs (WSON, OSTOJA) Local employers Institutions supporting the

programme financially (local authorities of

Wrocław and national found PFRON)

„TRENER” was launched in 2002 and is based on the „Job coaching” model which has been actively implemented for the last 30 years by Mecklenburg Open Door Agency – Supported Employment Agency in Charlotte (North Carolina, USA).

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Effective forms of employment for people with Effective forms of employment for people with disabilities in the open job marketdisabilities in the open job market

Supported employment is the most effective form of

employmentfor disabled people who have

the biggest difficulties with finding work on their own

and with maintaining emploment

in the open job market.

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JJOBOB C COACHING ModelOACHING Model

is a change of approach towards the activization of people with disabilities in the

open job market

from traditional services TRAIN PLACE

to

SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT model approach PLACE TRAIN SUSTAIN

Learning the job on the jobwith the support of a personal job coach

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The participants of Wroclaw programme

Between 2002 and 2012 we supported 135 people (approx. 90 per year)

• People with moderate and severe mental disabilities, mental disorders and coexisting disfunctions (seeing, hearing, speech, epilepsy)

• People with low level of education and lack of qualifications:83 % - graduates of special vocational schools98 % - no work experience

• Client age: 20 – 55 years old,

• Client gender: 42 % - female, 58 % - male

In 2012 the programme is realized by 8 supported employment coaches

(phychologists, pedagogues, occupational therapists trained in job coaching)

The assumptions and standards of effective Job Coaching:

There are no special posts or particular sectors for disabled people – the employer recruits because they have a need and our client is the appropriate candidate for the job post.

Same rights and same expectations result in satisfaction, higher self-esteem and motivation to self-development .

Individual approach to each employee.

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The assumptions and standards of effective The assumptions and standards of effective Job Coaching:Job Coaching:

Job coach is effective when they believe that everyone can work.

Job coach does not ask „IF”, but „HOW” to employ a client.

Job coach's support must be an ongoing and consistent process.

Job coach models the relations between the client and their team of coworkers – creating a natural environment for support in the workplace.

Job coach creates a positive image of a disabled person as an employee.

Job coach is available both for the employee and for the employer.

Job coach's presence means actual equal opportunities and opportunity for permanent employment and social inclusion for the disabled person.

Job coach's presence gives the employer a „feeling of security” when managing a disabled employee.

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5 steps to success5 steps to successThe success of supported employment comes from consistent

support to the disabled person delivered in 5 STEPS: Evaluation and preparation of the client in terms of personal,

social and work-related skills and abilities Finding an optimal job post for the client Analysis and adaptation to the client's needs Meeting with the team, induction and on-the-job training at

the workplace until full independence Long-term support for the client, employer and the client's

family, as required

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Job coaches work in accordance with the „continuous support” rule

„only as much support as necessary, as much autonomy and self-

sufficiency as possible”

Our arguments for the employerWhy employ a mentally disabled person supported by a job

coach:

The company will have a reliable, fully motivated and engaged employee

The job coach guarantees selecting an employee best suited for the particular job post

A disabled team member contributes to an improved atmosphere at work

The job coach prepares and trains the client for the particular post

The job coach team guarantess help in solving problems at the client's

workplace

The company is perceived as a socially responsible enterprise

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The employer about employee …

(Clip - Hotel Manager)

1212Sustainability of employment as an effect of job Sustainability of employment as an effect of job coaching coaching

1 year

2 years

3 years

4 years

5 years

6 years

7 years

8 years

9 years

10 years

13 people

14 people

5 peopl

e

9 people

7 peopl

e

10 people

5 peopl

e

1 perso

n

5 people

2 2 people

In 2012, 39 employers in the Wroclaw open job market benefited from supported employment.

We have 25 „apprenticeship” job posts which prepare for paid employment.

Types of contract and working hours:Permanent contract (93 %) – from ¼ time to full timeLong-term fixed time contractsFlexible, changeable working hours in most cases

From 2002 to 2012: 90 clients found employment, including 70 people who maintained the job for over 12 months (60 people have worked continuously since starting the job)

In this way impossible becomes possible

(clip Robert 1 and clip Robert 2)

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION

m.goracy@ostoja.org.pl

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