Human Rights & Employment

4. Employment for PWID

4.5. Supported Employment Toolkit

Supported Employment Toolkit defines the differences with this methodology and other support mechanisms currently being used around Europe and is provides the position of the European Union of supported employment regarding the values, standards and process of supported employment.

Supported employment is completely consistent with the concepts of empowerment, social inclusion, dignity and respect for individuals. Within Europe, agreement has been reached on the values and principles that should be present at all supported employment stages and activities and adhere to full citizenship rights of individuals:

·         Individuality – Supported employment regards each individual as unique, with his / her own interests, preferences, conditions and life history.

·         Respect – Supported employment activities are always age appropriate, dignifying and enhancing.

·         Self-determination – Supported employment assists individuals to improve their interests and preferences, express their choices and define their employment / life plan according to personal and contextual conditions. It promotes the principles of self-advocacy by service users.

·         Informed Choice – Supported employment assists individuals to understand their opportunities fully so they can choose consistently within their preferences and with an understanding of the consequences of their choices.

·         Empowerment – Supported employment assists individuals to make decisions on their lifestyle and participation in society. Individuals are centrally involved in the planning, evaluation and development of services.

·         Confidentiality – A supported employment service provider considers information given by individuals to them as confidential. The PWID has access to his/her personal information gathered by the provider and any disclosure is at the discretion of and with the agreement of the individual.

·         Flexibility – Staff and organizational structures are able to change according to the needs of service users. Services are flexible and responsive to the needs of individuals and can be adapted to meet specific requirements.

·         Accessibility – Supported employment services, facilities and information are fully accessible to all people with disabilities.

·         The values and principles of supported employment are bases on a 5-stage process/methodology that has been identified and acknowledged as a European model of good practice, which can be used as the framework within supported employment.

·         Engagement – Underpinned by the core values of accessibility to ensure informed choices are made.

·         Vocational Profiling – Ensuring empowerment to the individual throughout the process.

·         Job Finding – Self-determination and informed choice are key values in supported employment.

·         Employer Engagement – Accessibility, flexibility and confidentiality are key values to be nurtured through this process.

On/Off Job Support – Flexibility, confidentiality and respect are the key components to successful support measures. Support measures particularly refer to situations when the individual is in paid employment and are delivered through the provision of an Employment Support Worker/Job Coach.