Supported Employment
What is supported Employment?
Supported employment facilitates competitive work in integrated work settings for individuals with the most severe disabilities (i.e. psychiatric, mental retardation, learning disabilities, traumatic brain injury) for whom competitive employment has not traditionally occurred, and who, because of the nature of their disability, need ongoing support services in order to perform their job. Supported employment provides assistance such as job coaches, transportation, assistive technology, specialized job training, and individually tailored supervision.
Supported employment is a way to move people from dependence on a service delivery system to independence via competitive employment. Recent studies indicate that the provision of on-going support services for people with severe disabilities significantly increases their rates for employment retention; supported employment encourages people to work within their communities and encourages work, social interaction, and integration.
Basic Components
Supported employment services should achieve the following outcomes:
- opportunity to earn equitable wages and other employment-related benefits,
- development of new skills,
- increased community participation,
- enhanced self-esteem,
- increased consumer empowerment,
- and quality of life.
The types of supported employment services used depend on the needs of individual consumers.
Supported Employment Models
Several supported employment models are being used to provide the benefits of work for people with severe disabilities.
Individual placement model
A person with a disability is placed in a job in a community business which best suits his/her abilities and preferences. Training is provided on the job site in job skills and work related behaviors, including social skills, by a job coach. As the employee gains skills and confidence, the job coach gradually spends less time at the worksite. Support is never completely removed. The private or public vocational rehabilitation agency furnishing the job coach is always available to the employer for retaining for new assignments, assisting in dealing with challenging behaviors, supplying periodic consultations with co-workers and employer, giving orientation and training for co-workers.
Enclave Model
A small group of people with disabilities (generally 5-8) is trained and supervised among employees who are not disabled at the host company’s work site. Persons in the enclave work as a team at a single work site in a community business or industry. Initial training, supervision, and support are provided by a specially trained on-site supervisor, who may work for the host company or the placement agency. Another variation of the enclave approach is called the ‘dispersed enclave’. This model is used in service industries (e.g., universities, restaurants, and hotels). Each person works on a separate job, and the group is dispersed throughout the company.
Mobile Work Crew
A small crew of persons with disabilities (up to 6) works as a distinct unit and operates as a self-contained business that generates employment for their crew members by selling a service. The crew works at several locations within the community, under the supervision of a job coach. The type of work usually includes janitorial or grounds keeping. People with disabilities work with people who do not have disabilities in a variety of settings, such as offices and apartment buildings.
Small Business Model
Within a small business, there may be up to six employees with disabilities, but not more that the number of employees without disabilities. The small business operates like any business, generating work and paying employees from revenues received. The small business is located within the community.
