What is Employment Support?
The objectives of the below blog are as follows:
1:1 Job Coaches- Autism Works has a roster of qualified, Autism trained Job Coaches who can work 1:1 with a new employee on the job. The Job Coach does not complete the work for the employee, but instead assists in implementing accommodations and adaptations to help the employee do the job. This could be in the form of checklists, timers, visual aids etc. They also help the employee to self advocate for their needs in the workplace. Often it is difficult, especially if it is your first job, to know when and what to say to your manager if you require assistance, vacation time, or a sick day. A Job Coach can help script/role play these incidents with you. Job Coaches also help to build natural supports. Natural supports are people within the workplace you can turn to for help and assistance when the Job Coach has transitioned from the job. The Job Coach usually works for 8-12 weeks on the job with the employee until they are completely independent. 1:1 support outside the job provided by Autism Works or your Employment Agency- Sometimes an employee can do the job without a Job Coach on-site but needs support to navigate the social situations of a workplace. For instance, a Job Coach working outside the job could work with the employee on knowing when to end a conversation, unwritten rules of a workplace or anything the employee feels they wish to improve upon. If the employee has disclosed to the employer, the Job Coach will also speak to them to ensure that everything is going smoothly on the job site. The meetings are usually once a week for an hour and can last for up to 2 months or 8 sessions. Employment Support from your Employment Agency- Teamwork Cooperative, Opportunity Place and YMCA Employment Agencies have specific roles within their agencies called ‘Employment Support Practitioner’ (ESP). This role is beneficial if the employee needs a check in once or twice a week for 30 mins or so. If needed, the ESP can stay longer on the job as well. The ESP will also talk to the employer and ensure that the employee is performing in a successful way. Support can also mean obtaining financial assistance to assist you in purchasing equipment needed for the job. For example, if your new job requires you to wear steel toe boats, Ready, Willing and Able can help you in buying this equipment. Each type of Employment Support is equally important and can be the difference between maintaining or losing a job. Support on the job can be helpful to both employee and employer and help bridge the communication between the two. If you have recently secured a job opportunity OR are an employer eager to find out more about employment support in the workplace, feel free to contact the Employment Support Coordinator at Autism Nova Scotia for further information and consultation. She can be reached at [email protected].
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