New Types of Worker - Working for CHANGE
Working for CHANGE
Aim of the Project
To present a report on the innovative way CHANGE employs people with learning disabilities. The activity will produce a written report with an easy-to-read summary and accompanying DVD. We aim to employ 2 workers on the activity, 1 a person with a learning disability. The workers will research, document and record the way CHANGE successfully employs people with learning disabilities
Background Information:
CHANGE has been working in an "innovative" way for the past 14 years around the employment of people with learning disabilities. As CHANGE has grown, they have developed their own co-working scheme, ensured there are good opportunities for volunteering, created an accessible work place, and enabled people with learning disabilities to influence the management and direction of the organisation. This has resulted in people with learning disabilities having a strong voice and active involvement in policy decisions and social care initiatives.
The objectives of the Working for CHANGE project were to:
- employ two workers, one with a learning disability to research, document and record the way CHANGE has successfully employed people with learning disabilities
- produce a written report with an easy read summary
- produce a DVD to be made available as a tool for teaching others
- provide clear examples / guidelines to show others how they can:
- develop an accessible working environment
- give appropriate support
- create accessible job descriptions and application forms
- empower workers with a learning disability
What happened?
In addition to interviews with project staff, Fran and Shaun worked with CHANGE volunteers to develop the use of Forum Theatre (role play), as an inclusive way of enabling people with learning disabilities to express their views. They developed a play to show good and bad co-working based on the experience of project workers.
At CHANGE, Project Workers with learning disabilities work three days per week (22.5 hours) in order to avoid losing personal support worker time e.g. in relation to support with housing. At CHANGE each project is run by two project workers who co-work together. Both project workers work the same number of days, usually 3. Project staff emphasised the importance of this, describing it as an 'essential' part of CHANGE's approach and its success in employing people with learning disabilities.
Contact
Tel: 0113 3880011
Fax: 0113 3880012
E-mail: karen@change-people.co.uk
E-mail: philipa@change-people.co.uk
Website: www.changepeople.co.uk
