Stepping Forward is a two year Big Lottery funded programme that will be run from Jobsteps’ Sheffield office - The Coleridge Resource Centre as well as external offices in Doncaster and Barnsley. The programme commenced in August 2011.

Who is eligible for Stepping Forward?

Stepping Forward is open to any customers 16 years and over who are on the autistic spectrum and/or have learning disabilities (this includes customers with ADHD, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia etc) who are not currently accessing mainstream activities, including other welfare to work programmes, education, training or employment. Individuals must live in South Yorkshire.

The programme is to support these customers building up their confidence, motivation and/or employability skills, with the intention of progressing them onto work, training, education or mainstream welfare to work programmes.

What does the programme involve?

Customers will be able to access as much or as little of this support as they feel they need. Training sessions will last for around 6-10 weeks with each session lasting a maximum of 3 hours. Customers will also have 1-2-1 sessions with their Employment Advisor at least every fortnight where they will have dedicated time to work with the Advisor on their learning plan.

Customers have a choice of the following: (dependant on customers’ needs)

Confidence Building Training
This will be in-house training and support sessions including the following elements: independence skills, communication, assertiveness, confidence building, understanding the self, self advocacy and focusing on achievements.

The aim of this programme is to support customers overcome barriers, build their confidence and motivation and engage in new activities.

Employability Skills Support Training
We will run a rolling programme of employability skills that customers can access as and when they are ready to.

These sessions will include: CV writing, application support, interview preparation, disability in the work place, mock interviews, work place skills, starting your job, disability in the work place, sustaining employment and team working.

Work Placements
Customers will have the option to go on a work placement to put the skills they have learnt into practice and gain experience in a working environment. We will find employers that are understanding of the customer’s disabilities and we support the customer and employer throughout the placement to ensure it is successful and beneficial.

Job Clubs
For customers who wish to find employment we will invite them to attend a Job Club. This will be a time when customers can look for work and have support from advisors throughout.

Our ultimate goal for customers on Stepping Forward is to engage them in a mainstream stream activity such as further education, employment, training or further welfare to work support, including in-work support. We will support customers through the transition period.

I would like to speak to someone about Stepping Forward in more detail

If you are interested in finding out more information about Stepping Forward please contact Jenny Preston or Peta Troke.

Email:

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Telephone:

0114 244 2975