Supported Employment
October 5, 2022 at 8:26 am,
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The term ‘Supported Employment’ refers to the aid provided to people
with mental or physical disabilities for the purpose of job searching and
securing competitive employment, while receiving concurrent treatment. In the
context of Supported Employment, workers with disabilities are assisted
throughout the employment cycle in terms of securing accommodation, benefits,
socialisation and access to opportunities for advancing their career.
The Principles of Supported Employment
- Principle 1: Zero Exclusion
- Principle 2: Integrated Employment and Treatment
- Principle 3: Competitive Employment
- Principle 4: Rapid Job Search and Systematic Job Development
- Principle 5: Maintenance of Long-term, Consistent Support
- Principle 6: Embracing Individualism
- Principle 7: Provision of Fair Benefits/Salaries
By adhering to the 7 Supported Employment Principles below, Employers and Managers can ensure that their organisations are:
- Attractive towards candidates with disabilities who are aspire to secure long-term employment
- Socially Sustainable, by contributing to the well-being of disadvantaged groups as well as their local communities in general
- Enabling the professional development of staff with disabilities and enhance their welfare in the workplace.
- Enabling a Supportive Culture, where Managers can act as coaches/mentors for staff with disabilities
Supported Employment can benefit Staff with Autism in the following ways:
- Access to quality services and accommodation (self-sufficiency)
- Less prone to isolation while enjoying healthier social relationships
- Identification of individual Strengths or in other words, desirable traits that can contribute to high performance when people with Autism are assigned to appropriate jobs
- Contribution to combating misconceptions about Autism; From ‘disability’ to ‘competitive advantage’
- Development of Social Skills such as teamwork and communication
- Promotion of neurodiversity and inclusion not only for people with Autism, but other disabilities as well
- Increase in career advancement opportunities such as tailored training related to job-specific skills and other soft skills