Employment

• The Disabled Workers Cooperative
  The Disabled Workers Cooperative is a not for profit organisation that helps disabled people to help themselves.
• Self Employed
  If you are interested in setting up a business, you can get help from your local Learning and Skills Council. They offer a range of information and support services for people setting up or running a small business. Young unemployed people who have a viable idea to set up in business should contact the Prince’s Business Trust.
• Permitted Work
  From 8 April 2002, there are new benefit rules for people who want to try some paid work while they are receiving Incapacity Benefit, Severe Disablement Allowance or Income Support because of illness or disability.
• Training For Work Scheme
  Learning and Skills Councils have undertaken to provide a broad range of training and job development. In particular, the training for work scheme is focused on disabled people seeking employment. The Disability Employment Advisor at your local Job Centre can give advice on training or retraining. Also, if you are in receipt of a disability benefit, you can undertake full or part time education or training courses so long as you remain incapable of work.
• Working at home with technology
  The scheme is aimed at employing severely disabled people in their homes if they are unable to travel to work regularly. To qualify, you will have to be in long term, part time or full time employment. Suitable equipment on loan will be provided free of charge for as long as it is needed through the special aids and employment scheme. For more information contact your local Job Centre.
• Voluntary Work
  People who are incapable of work are allowed to carry out up to 16 hours of voluntary work per week. If you get any expenses as a volunteer, these should not affect your benefits. For more information contact your local Volunteer Bureau or The National Council for Voluntary Service. 
• Work Step Programme
  Workstep is the new name for the Government's Employment Service Supported Employment provision. There are a number of Workstep providers in Cheshire and each of them have a separate contract to run their scheme. Access to these support schemes are always through your local Job Centre Disability Employment Advisor. The Workstep schemes are the only services currently available that can provide financial assistance when required.

The main Employment Disability Services include:

• Access to Work: Offers practical help to overcome difficulties that disabled people may face in getting or keeping work e.g. adaptations to equipment or premises.
• Work Preparation: A programme designed to meet individual disabled people’s needs, to help them prepare for work, perhaps after a long period of unemployment often including a placement with an employer.
• Employment Assessment: Usually undertaken by an Occupational Psychologist, this option identifies strengths and abilities and explores suitability of job goals with people who have disabilities. May also assist disabled people and their employers to retain a job.
• New Deal for Disabled People: A government initiative to help sick or disabled people back to work via a network of Job Brokers.
• The Disability Symbol: To encourage employers to demonstrate positive employment policies on employing and retaining disabled people.
• Cheshire and Warrington Connexions Partnership is the new Careers Service for young people in the region. It is part of the Government’s new integrated approach to providing information, advice, guidance and support on issues including education, careers, training and personal development.