Helping People with Disabilities Find Work

People with disabilities in Cheshire East are to benefit from greater support to help them to gain employment.

Cheshire East Council has introduced a Work Choice programme, which provides tailored support to help individuals move into and remain in long-term sustainable jobs.

It will build upon the success of the authority’s supported employment service, which currently supports more than 200 people with disabilities who are in work.

The new programme is targeted at severely disabled people who face the most complex barriers to employment and who may require greater support in the workplace.

It will assist them to identify and gain suitable employment and provide support with practical aspects, such as travel and workplace accessibility.

An event was held to celebrate the Work Choice launch in partnership with Shaw Trust, the UK’s largest voluntary sector provider of services to people with disabilities, which will deliver the programme in Cheshire East.

Service users, employers and representatives from Cheshire & Warrington Business Link were among the guests at the launch at Macclesfield Library.

Councillor Roland Domleo, Cabinet member with responsibility for adult services, said: “The launch event provided an excellent opportunity to promote the Work Choice programme, not only to people with disabilities but also to prospective employers.

“People with disabilities are seven times more likely to be out of work, so the programme will play an important role in overcoming the barriers which individuals face in gaining and keeping a job.

“It will also ensure that employers get the support and encouragement they may need to enable them to employ more people with disabilities.

“Work Choice is an extremely positive scheme which underpins our commitment to improving life opportunities for everybody in Cheshire East.

“We are very keen to hear from people with disabilities who would like to find out more about Work Choice, and also from employers who may be interested in providing employment or work experience opportunities.”

There are more than 11,000 people with disabilities out of work and claiming incapacity benefit or employment support allowance in Cheshire East.

This compares to an approximate figure of 6,000 non-disabled people who are out of work and currently claim job seeker’s allowance.

Individuals or employers who would like more information about Work Choice should contact Cheshire East Council’s supported employment service on 01260 375468.