Yes2WorkYes2work started in July 2001 as a job broker delivering the New Deal for Disabled People. The company originated from an exciting partnership between the public, private and voluntary/community sectors. Set up as part of a coalfield regeneration programme, with a head office near Barnsley, South Yorkshire, we have expanded into other regions with offices in Glasgow, Scotland; Clay Cross, Derbyshire; Norwich; and Coalville, Leicestershire. We are also developing a range of other projects relating to employment and disability. These include:
- a Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation service in the Dearne Valley;
- a research division dealing with Ergonomic and other aspects of disability and employment;
- Psychometric assessment and employment retention advice and training;
- and supporting a new Temporary Employment Agency (Temps2work) in Doncaster.
As a member of Social Firms UK, we are a business created for supporting people with a disability or other disadvantage in the employment market. We are not a 'Charity' but, we are a 'not for profit' organisation, so our aim is to reinvest our business income. Any profit generated is put into improving opportunities for disabled people. As a requirement of being a social firm, well over 50% of Yes2work's current staff have a disability which can be a real advantage when selling our service to employers as we have real experience of employing disabled people and the many barriers and issues faced when looking for and sustaining employment.
Services
Many of the 2.6m in Great Britain with a disability or long term illness in receipt of Incapacity Benefits would like to work, given the right support. Yes2work can offer that advice and guidance in most areas through distance provision. Claimants of most long term disability benefits can register for a job broking service under the Government's New Deal for Disabled People. Advice and support in the process of returning to work depends on individual needs but can be:
- Job searching and identifying vacancies for part or full time work, in temporary and permanent jobs, or voluntary work, self employment, or work experience.
- Support with application forms and interviews also CV writing,
- Back to work benefits advice and identifying other support e.g. travel costs.
- Overcoming other obstacles to employment, also in work support and advice to employers.
Yes2work is set up to use high speed communication wherever possible. We now try to see clients face to face at an initial registration to collect in depth information on their back ground and needs. We avoid other appointments by using telephone and email contact if this is appropriate.
We have a sophisticated database that allows us to share information within our team of advisors. If a client phones in when their advisor is out, someone else is able to access their current status to help them correctly.
We network closely with other professionals especially Jobcentre Plus staff to provide a joined up service for individuals. As our service is voluntary, we often work to fill the gaps in other provision. We try to avoid duplicating existing services.
Our main areas of provision are: Setting appropriate work goals through assessment of capabilities, and identifying steps to achieve them including exploring retraining options where necessary.
Employers
Advice on workplace adaptations that may be required under the Disability Discrimination Act, and assessment of employees capabilities draws on the occupational psychology expertise available in the company. Research into employment of people with disability and disadvantage also draws on this expertise, and there are a group of associate employees through whom this work is delivered.
We are confident that we can help people with disabilities or illnesses back into the work of their choice, and provide employers with a first class recruitment service. Yes2work has an interactive web site so that clients can explore job ideas, vacancies, and use self-guidance tools as well as phone to discuss ideas with an advisor. The company provides clients with a "one stop" service covering assessment of job potential through to support for both employee and employer after a client has started work.
For further information on how Yes2Work could help you, please visit http://www.yes2work.org.uk/
