Ways Into Work

What is Ways into Work?

Ways into Work is an in-house employment and training service funded by Social Services and staffed by full and part time staff. It is based at the community team office at Abell Gardens, Maidenhead and is a referral based service as opposed to an open access service. The only criteria to access the service however, is to demonstrate  that you have a learning disability,  physical disability, sensory impairment or HIV. 

What does it do?

Ways into Work supports people who have a disability to access sustainable employment and training opportunities. It provides the advice guidance and support individuals need to make informed choices and reach their full potential within the work place. It covers two areas: physical disability, sensory impairment, HIV and learning disability services

How does it support people into work?

Ways into Work has three full time members of staff and four part time members all of whom are committed to supporting people into employment. The Ways into Work Manager is responsible for taking all new referrals and allocating them within an acceptable period and for progressing individuals into paid employment. This role is also responsible for the employer liaison and promoting the Ways into Work Service.

The full time work experience officer supports individuals who have a learning disability to access meaningful work experience placements with a view to progress to meet individual's employment goals. 

The work experience officer for individuals who have a learning disability and ASD works 10hours a week supporting individuals to access meaniful work placements with a view to progress to meet individuals employment goals.

The full time support officer can support individuals across the generic service to help people access both work experience and paid employment by providing support within the workplace.

The two part time job coach supports individuals who have higher support needs to be able to access employment by supporting within their job. The aim is to support individuals to be as independent as possible and promote natural support within the workplace.
The part time administrator works 4 hours a week helping the team by providing administrative support.

Ways into Work Achievements in 2008

Ways into work currently has a Local Area agreement target which aims to increase the numbers of people with a learning disability into paid employment and this is the current focus within the team. This work began in July 2008 and the first years target was achieved-

14 Individuals with a learning disability accessed Paid employment

3 of these individuals are working within the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead and all departments are committed to significantly increasing the numbers of people with a learning disability working within the council over the next two years.

Ways into Work has also continued to support individuals to access work experience, voluntary work and training and has a number of employer events to organise over the next two years.

Over 50 new employers have been contacted and the work to engage them with the project is ongoing.

The team continue to work with a variety of partner agencies to support individuals to achieve their own employment goals.   .

For further Information on the Ways into Work service contact:

Laura Davis
Ways into Work Manager
Tel:01628 503339
E-mail: Laura.davis@rbwm.gov.uk

Click the following link for the Ways Into Work Leaflet

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