Supported Employment

The Service will form a core component of the Council's response to this agenda, sourcing and supporting a variety of work, and work-related opportunities with a focus on paid employment. The Service will be for Service Users (16 years +) with Learning Disabilities, Physical Disabilities, Mental Health issues, Autism and other support needs, across Hampshire. The Service will be a continuation of over 20 years investment by the Council in Supported Employment, with the current contract that was awarded in 2015 also focused on paid employment. The Service will make paid employment a realistic goal for people with support needs, contributing to the improved wellbeing of those using the service, creating sustainable work opportunities for Service Users which recognise and support the business needs of employers and benefit wider communities. The Service will be person-centred and, using a Strength Based Approach build on the strengths and assets of Service Users to create sustainable Supported Employment. The Council requires a pro-active approach which embraces innovation including a digital offer that can help support this principle. Pivotal to the success of this contract will be employer engagement, with the Service Provider holding a strategic oversight of the employment market both nationally and locally. The Service Provider will develop and maintain a network of employers at a local level that will offer job opportunities to people with support needs and share best practice. This will facilitate work profiling, job matching, job coaching (systematic instruction) and job carving. This is a County Wide contract, and as such will require the Service Provider to deliver Services in Hampshire's urban and rural areas. The Service is expected to work in partnership with the Council's Learning Disability, Mental Health and Physical Disability Teams. At contract commencement, those who transition from current provision to this Service will predominantly be from a learning disability client group. However, over time the scope of this contract is to deliver a pan-disability service, but with a particular focus remaining on supporting individuals with a learning disability to continue to access paid employment. We recognise that services will change and evolve during the life of the contract; this requires organisations to work together in partnership. The Service Provider and the Council will agree to regularly keep the Service under review, including the appraisal of the Service to ensure it continues to be fit for purpose and is meeting the needs of Service Users and delivering sustainable employment outcomes for individuals.