Our Supported Employment project was established in 2007 to enable people with learning disabilities to access realistic work experience and gain national qualifications which lead into paid employment. Nationally only 16% of people with learning disabilites are in employment, the lowest figure for any disabled group. The project is based in a busy community café and charity shop in the south-side of Glasgow. Since the project opened in March 2007 it has generated considerable interest from local authorities, schools, colleges, voluntary organisations and other funders such as Charitable Trusts and individuals. It hopes to achieve the following outcomes:
- Young people with learning disabilities will benefit from raised aspirations and will make a more successful transition from school into employment or further education.
- Families will benefit from advice and information so they can provide the best possible support during transition towards adulthood and independent living.
- Cosgrove Care will benefit from an expansion of a project which has a high level of demand and from income from shop profits to sustain the project in the longer-term.
- Local schools will benefit from working in partnership with an organisation that has the expertise to deliver realistic work experience opportunities for those senior pupils who would otherwise be excluded from this important part of the school curriculum.
- The local community will benefit by becoming more socially inclusive and aware of the skills and abilities of people with learning disabilities.
- Local employers will benefit from advice to make their workplaces accessible for people with learning disabilities, and access to qualified employees and job coaching for new employees.
- Local authorities will benefit from supported employment and training for their residents with learning disabilities, who would otherwise be more likely to be amongst the long-term unemployed.
The project offers 3 training programmes for young people with learning disabilities:
- Work experience for S4/S5 school pupils,
- 6 month work placement for S5 and S6 pupils to achieve the Cosgrove Certificate,
- 1 year full time course to achieve an SVQ in Customer Care.
Cosgrove is now seeking funding to develop these courses into a permanent training facility for young people in our region.
Contact Information:
Derek Brown (Service Manager)
Cosgrove Care
4 Skirving Street
Glasgow, G41 3AA
Tel: 0141 649 4000
E-mail: Derek
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