WorkFirst is a service run by Newcastle Adult Services. We help people with disabilities to find work. To get help from WorkFirst you will need to have an assessment by adult services. Contact our Adult Social Care Direct team if you would like an assessment.
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WorkFirst can:
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Help you to think of the kind of work you would like to do.
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Talk to you about your skills, knowledge and experience.
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Talk to you about any training or support you may need.
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Help plan your training and support
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Help you find work that's right for you.
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Support you at work when you need it.
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Get you support to learn new tasks.
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Help you find voluntary work.
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Help you to find a few hours paid work each week without any affect on your benefits.
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Help you find the right job, by experiencing work in different organisations.
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Support you with your benefit information.
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We can:
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Provide a job coach for people you employ.
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Organise work experience candidates for your organisation.
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Organise a skills test where you can assess a person in their working role prior to employment.
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Organise people to do paid work for you for a few hours each week which won't affect their benefits.
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Advise on workplace aids and adaptations.
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Remain involved for the length of the persons employment
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Sami was referred to WorkFirst at the beginning of 2005.
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At this time Sami wanted to explore working in retail. Sami had skills that would support him in this area.
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While his Keyworker searched for a placement for Sami he encouraged him to look for vacancies in the local paper.
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Sami was supported to do job searches at his local Job Centre Plus, where he met a Disability Employment Adviser (DEA).
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Sami had better-off calculations to show how he would be if he took employment at different hours. It was clear to Sami that he could use the Supported Permitted Work rules on the Higher Level. Sami discovered he could earn at that time up to £88 and not have his benefits affected. (The Higher Level is now £92)
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Sami received training in retail from “Shops for Jobs” ran by Job Centre Plus.
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Sami opened up his work search from retail to labouring, cleaning and office work.
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He started working with the recycling scheme at the Civic Centre in June 06.
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In November a post became available working in the Civic Centre for 15 hours within Neighborhood Services
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Directorate.
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Sami was short listed and supported in the interview, and was successful.
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Sami is now an established staff member who is willing to pass on what he has learned to the new staff at his section.
“WorkFirst has helped me develop my skills and gain my first steps into employment” Sami Ahmed
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For more information:
WorkFirst
4-8 Clarence Walk
Shieldfield
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE2 1AL
Tel: 0191 2788334
Email: WorkFirst@newcastle.gov.uk
WorkFirst - helping people with disabilities into work (pdf 62.3 kb)
Our WorkFirst team can also help you find and stay in a paid job through the WorkStep service.
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