First shot at vacancies the way forward after Remploy anno

[TrueBlueTerrier]

‘First shot’ at vacancies the way forward after Remploy announce factory closures

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Giving people with disabilities ‘first shot’ at job vacancies can be a key plank in getting people with disabilities into mainstream employment, according to Susan Scott-Parker, chief executive of the Employers Forum on Disability (EFD).

As reported in Recruiter in November,the EFD launched a 10-point protocol aimed at providing barrier-free recruitment.


Following, the government’s announcement that Remploy, which provides employment services to disabled people plans to close 36 of its 54 factories, with the loss of 1,700 jobs, the government says it wants to focus its efforts and resources on providing greater specialist employment support aimed at getting people with disabilities into mainstream employment.

The government is particularly keen on its Access to Work scheme, which gives people with disabilities and employers advice and financial support with extra costs, such as interpreters, equipment and other practical support that it would not be reasonable for an employer to cover. The government claims the average cost per employee is £2,900 compared to £25,000 to support each Remploy worker.

Scott-Parker tells Recruiter that she supports the government’s change of policy, describing it as “good news for everyone”.

“Today’s announcement is a much-needed step towards eliminating the barriers to employment faced by the many people with disabilities who want to work but are denied the chance to compete.”

The Access to Work scheme” is one of the government’s best kept secrets, generating £1.44 return for every £1 spent by the Exchequer”, she adds.

Scott-Parker suggests that one way to bring more people with disabilities into mainstream employment is through the use of a targeted approach, where people with disabilities have ‘first shot’ at vacancies.


She says this has worked at the Royal Mail where more than 1,400 ex-Remploy employees have been hired. The approach consists of a carefully structured programme of support, and advice including work trials, she explains, and is particularly helpful for people who are ‘knocked-out’ by traditional recruitment processes.

For example, a person who finds it difficult to fill in an application form may benefit from a work trial, as it provides them with an opportunity to show what they can do.

She adds that investment bank Goldman Sachs has also used this approach successfully as have Barclays, and Intercontinental Hotels. As Recruiter reported in February, the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) has also successfully used a targeted approach by guaranteeing candidates with a disability an inteview if they meet the skills criteria.

Viki Chinn, a career adviser at LSE, and a specialist in disability and employment related issues, tells Recruiter that she has concerns about the change in government policy.

“It is all very well to say that disabled people can be phased into mainstream employment. Of course they can, but only with the appropriate adjustments and support.

“The presence of independent third party support from organisations like Remploy is far more likely to encourage disabled people to apply for jobs, feel reassured that the employer genuinely wishes to employ them-as opposed to ticking a box-and a little more confident knowing they have independent support to turn to if necessary.”

[music4essex]

Lets hope that Royal Mail do support these workers,
because they sure don't while employed by RM and then become Diasabled because of the job
All they want to do is kick you out especially if you have a manager that has no clue how to work with a disabled person
and thinks of you as a inconvenience

Essex mum