STEPs Employers Information

STEPS is a service provided by Social Care and Health Services to support people with a disability.

We support disabled people into:

College (vocational and non-vocational courses)
Voluntary work (only where other people with or without disabilities carry out voluntary work)
Work experience (no timescales are imposed)
Paid work (full or part-time). All jobs will pay the same wages and give the same conditions as a non-disabled person doing the same job

Our Employment Training Advisors offer advice, guidance and practical support about training and employment issues for people with disabilities.

Support for people with a disability

STEPs works with people to identify their skills, abilities and development needs. We don't pressure people into accepting any job that is available. We help people find a job that suits them.

This ensures people are applying for jobs they are interested in and helps to ensure a successful outcome.

Support for employers

The STEPs service provides advice and guidance to employers of people with a disability.

We can help in the following ways:

Disability awareness advice
Advice on aids and adaptations
Support and aftercare service

We help businesses who have not previously employed a disabled person, as well as advising those who have an employee who has recently become disabled. Our support can help employers ensure that their disabled employees are able to stay in the job.

Supported employees must work on equal terms with others. They must be paid the appropriate rate for the job and have the same terms and conditions as other employees in their workplace.

Training or employment

The service works with employers to provide training and paid employment
Some employers will provide unpaid 'work trials' for disabled people. These will be assessed and monitored
These placements are used as a way of creating up-to-date work experience for a person, and give a clear assessment of the person's and the employer's support needs.
The service works with Employers when they employ and pay a disabled person.

The service gives direct support, advice and guidance to the employer.

To find out additional information please contact the STEPS service