Project Advance commenced in 1997. The project offers a range of tailored vocational training and employment services to a group of service users who have learning disabilities and a range of more complex support needs. The project in many ways mirrors other employment services within the Orchardville Society but differs in one fundamental aspect. All those involved in the project have an additional complex need and therefore require additional support, in particular within the work place, in order to be successful. Unlike other employment services it is anticipated that participants, due to the nature of their disability, will require a high level of ongoing and sustained support while engaged on project activities.

Background
The project was developed in response to growing demands from personnel within day care settings who had observed the potential service users with more complex needs had in relation to employment. At reviews many were expressing an interest in experiencing the world of work and had similar aspirations to those of their peers who were already attending vocational training and employment activities. Prior to Project Advance this group of people within the Day Centre had more limited choices in relation to vocational training and mainly due to resource implications regarding staffing and transport costs.

At this time it was also widely recognised that the number of service users with complex needs would steadily increase due to external factors and changes in policy and in turn this would place additional pressure on Day Support Services. Therefore it was imperative to develop other services that would offer the maximum range of choice to people with complex needs.

In 1997 a grant was secured from the Lottery to fund a small pilot project to develop a programme tailored at meeting the needs of a more challenging group of service users. During the first phase of the project eight people were referred by Day Centre Managers. In order to be eligible referrals have to be for:

• People with severe learning disability and additional complex needs
• People who have no previous experience of vocational training or employment activities within the Orchardville Society
• People who express an interest in the world of work and are motivated to undertake vocational activities.

In 2000 the Lottery renewed the grant for a further three years and this allowed some expansion and development to take place including an increase in staff levels. Over the next three years the number of participants at any one time gradually increased from the initial eight to twenty one people.

In 2003 funding was secured from a variety of sources including private trusts and also a substantial grant from South & East Trust to continue the work of the project. Staffing levels were restructured to reflect the core aspects of the project namely job support and transportation. Currently one employment officer oversees the negotiation and management of placements and liaises with the other key stakeholders namely parents/carers, day support staff, residential, supported housing and employers. In addition two support workers provide the high level of ongoing support that is required to maintain successful placements including job coaching and transport.

Overview of Current Programme
The programme was established incorporating the core principles of the supported employment model namely that every person, regardless of their ability, can access employment opportunities provided they are given the correct level of support.

As with other employment services on offer with the Orchardville Society an individual approach is adopted. Therefore each person will have a programme tailored to meet their particular aspirations and abilities. Participants can select from a menu of options and can become involved in a variety of activities at any given time.

Support
Support is offered in a variety of other ways to participants in order to ensure that all those taking part maximise the opportunities that are available. Support may be in the form of assistance with transport. As transporting everyone to and from placement and training is very costly in terms of money and staff time, when possible, parents or other professionals are approached to become involved.

The Employment Officer also liaises closely with all involved to ensure communication is effective, practical arrangements run smoothly and any issues are dealt with or reinforced promptly either within the workplace, day centre or home environment.

Challenges
There are various barriers that have been encountered during the programme with many being ongoing issues. The diversity of skill and ability on the project challenges employment staff when sourcing suitable employment opportunities.

Parents/carers are often anxious and fearful about their son/daughter attending a placement in particular around how they will be perceived by other employees. Staff work closely with families to assist them to overcome these anxieties.

While many employers are adopting a more positive approach to employing people with disabilities there remain some difficulties in persuading employers to offer an opportunity to a person with a more complex disability. This is mainly due to concerns and misconceptions around health and safety issues in particular for wheelchair users, people with medical conditions such as epilepsy and challenging behaviour. Again staff endeavour to overcome these barriers by offering disability awareness training to employees and offering one to one support for each individual while they are at work.