Support at work for our son - help? — Scope | Disability forum
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Support at work for our son - help?

harvey1234
harvey1234 Community member Posts: 3 Listener
edited May 2018 in Work and employment
I am a parent of a loving 29 year old man who was born with klinefelter syndrome, and lives with myself and my wife. He has a brother of 24 years old, who is presently working in Asia.
He has learning difficulties which he has coped with reasonably well throughout his life, and has managed to gain employment in a few jobs, mainly as a domestic which he really enjoys.
He took up his recent position 6 months ago and is under an extended probation period, due to problems reaching the satisfactory standards set by his employer.
Recently our son has become aggitated and upset  about  going to work. Having had lengthy coversations with him,  he is worried about 3 employees, one of which is the supervisor, and is not sure who to turn to at work. He has become aggressive when answering our questions, not physically but verbally in frustration .
After listening to what is happening to him at work, we know there is a major problem. We do not like to use the word "bullying", but it does sound as though there is a case.

We would like to ask, if there is anybody or organisations which maybe able to help or give us advice.

Sorry for the long intoduction

Comments

  • JennysDad
    JennysDad Community member Posts: 2,299 Disability Gamechanger
    Hello @harvey1234 and a warm welcome to you. Just wanted to acknowledge your post - it's not something I am qualified to offer much advice on. However, I've done a little bit of searching on here and I think it might be useful for you to contact our 'Support to Work' people. The resource to which I've linked includes a phone number for support.
    I'm also going to tag a gentleman who has written on this subject before, as I think he would probably like to respond to you himself.
    Please keep in touch. 
    Warmest best wishes,
    Richard
    @JennysDad
    Tagging @Zaid_Scope
  • Zaid_Alumni
    Zaid_Alumni Community member Posts: 66 Courageous
    Hi @harvey1234 and @JennysDad , thanks for tagging me. This sounds awful and it is shocking how common this kind of issue seems to be.

    This should be taken seriously and needs specialist input. Unfortunately Support to Work can’t help with job retention and workplace discrimination issues but I would certainly recommend contacting our helpline on 0808 800 3333.

    We also have lots of relevant info here: https://www.scope.org.uk/support/disabled-people/work/employees 

    I would suggest contacting ACAS - the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service as soon as possible and explaining the situation to their specialists: http://www.acas.org.uk 

    I really hope you get a resolution to this and hopefully some of the above info will help you and help your son to have the enjoyable and meaningful career he deserves. Please do keep us posted and do not hesitate to get back in touch if you need more support.

    Zaid
    Scope Employment Advisor
    Phone: 0300 222 5742
    Email: supporttowork@scope.org.uk
    www.scope.org.uk/supporttowork

  • Zaid_Alumni
    Zaid_Alumni Community member Posts: 66 Courageous
    edited May 2018
    Hi @harvey1234 , I was thinking about the difficult situation with your son's employer and I feel Supported Employment might be something to look into for your son and for his employer.

    Supported Employment is a way of providing intensive assistance to people who need extra support when they begin a new job. A dedicated job coach could work alongside your son to provide in-work support for a designated period of time.

    I have experience as a Supported Employment job coach and worked with a young woman with a chromosomal condition for several weeks in her first job as a kitchen assistant. I was there to support with learning of her main duties. I had to be as unobtrusive as possible and empower her until she was fully adept. I also  provided information, advice and guidance to the employers so that any potential problems were dealt with sensitively and appropriately. The Supported Employment model can work very well in these situations.

    The organisation BASE (British Association for Supported Employment) will be the people to talk to. Details here: https://www.base-uk.org/employers-supported-employment

    Again, I hope this all works out. Let us know.

    Zaid
    Scope Employment Advisor
    Phone: 0300 222 5742
    Email: supporttowork@scope.org.uk
    www.scope.org.uk/supporttowork

  • harvey1234
    harvey1234 Community member Posts: 3 Listener
    Thank you JennysDad and Zaid_Scope for your replies.
    We have applied through Access to work for support for our son and after contacting many local agencies we have found an agency who  have been willing to help us.
    The agency have had a meeting with our sons employer and agreed to allow a work buddy to see our son after each shift to talk over how each shift had gone. We argued our son would would be better having a buddy , not for his full shift but when he  has tasks which the company feel he is struggling in.
    We have another meeting in two weeks with the employer and hopefully there maybe some good news.
    Thank you for your ideas which are alternatives we can look into.

    We will keep you posted
  • Zaid_Alumni
    Zaid_Alumni Community member Posts: 66 Courageous
    @harvey1234
    This is great to hear. Persistence is key. I really look forward to hearing about your son's progress. 

    Zaid
    Scope Employment Advisor
    Phone: 0300 222 5742
    Email: supporttowork@scope.org.uk
    www.scope.org.uk/supporttowork

  • harvey1234
    harvey1234 Community member Posts: 3 Listener
    Hi guys,
    Hope all is well,
    Disappointed and a bit annoyed our son wanted to leave his job, after feeling very stressed and upset how he was feeling in his work position, but we could not let him carry on. 
    Just received the solicitor'' report after we put a grievance complaint in regarding bullying in the workplace.
    My god, talk about pulling somebody to bits ,was horrible.
    But so proud how he applied for a new position, got it ,and loves it.
    Could not believe how the solicitor could pick up on his disability and apply what she had researched and applied to his so called behaviour in the workplace.
    If we had the money his previous employer would be gone.

    But, he has his new position and we are  so proud.
    Just shows, one bad experience  ,does not mean the end to anybody with a disability

  • Pippa_Alumni
    Pippa_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 5,793 Disability Gamechanger
    Great to hear from you @harvey1234, and that's brilliant news- it sounds as though you've been through a real ordeal, but it must be a great relief for you all to have the issue resolved now. Wishing your son all the best in his new position!
  • Zaid_Alumni
    Zaid_Alumni Community member Posts: 66 Courageous
    @harvey1234 thanks for updating us, your son has shown great tenacity and strength of character. Your pride comes beaming through in your post here. Please do keep us updated with his progress as he works his way up the employment ladder! 

    Zaid
    Scope Employment Advisor
    Phone: 0300 222 5742
    Email: supporttowork@scope.org.uk
    www.scope.org.uk/supporttowork

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