Anyone else finding it hard to get a job? -CP — Scope | Disability forum
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Anyone else finding it hard to get a job? -CP

ZaraWrites
ZaraWrites Community member Posts: 26 Connected
I have qualifications in Business Admin..
I've been going back and forth to the job centre speaking to the DEA but no one seems to want to employ a person with CP.. So frustrating!

Comments

  • Jgeek
    Jgeek Community member Posts: 66 Connected
    Hey Yes! I struggled alot not sure if you've seen my blog. it took me 2yrs to get work despite 3 degrees. I'm not sure of your severity or if you've had jobs in the past but these methods helped me & now I'm helping my partner -

    - sign up to email alerts from job websites
    - Try to subtly mention cp on application and or cv, perhaps what you've overcome etc

    -In interviews, reassure people adaptions arn't a big deal and help will be put in place after all the need to know is liking you 

    -Email companies directly, tell them about yourself, offer to work paid or unpaid just for experience and how you have cp but that's not holding you back (I hate mentioning it but it is a reality that makes work harder to get)

    - Be open to other jobs that may not be your idea, tI was so stubborn i wanted to go into the science I was trained in at 1st but I can still use my skills & never look back. Look at your strengths and think what jobs you'd be able to do.

    Good luck & please let me know if I can help more
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 38 Courageous
    edited January 2017

    Hi @ZaraWrites I'm so sorry to hear how frustrating your job search is becoming.

    Has your DEA offered a referral to the work choice provider in your area?

    https://www.gov.uk/recruitment-disabled-people/work-choice-programme

    Sometimes, depending on the provider of a work choice programme, they may have business development managers that work closely with employers to 'open doors' rather than see disability as a problem. This can mean educating employers on a)their legal responsibilities, and the equalities act (after all, being dismissed on the basis of your disability is discrimination) and b) look at the access to work fund for providing the equipment or support you need to be able to fulfil the duties of the post without incurring an additional cost themselves.

    https://www.gov.uk/access-to-work/overview

    Please be aware though, that although the work choice programme is a voluntary programme if you decide to 'opt in' and then decide to no longer engage it may impact your benefit entitlement - it would be worth speaking to your DEA about this before (if you can) approaching this.

    Also, as a disabled person myself whenever I've looked for new job opportunities whenever I search for roles I will always look out for the 'Disability Confident' Symbol - this has recently replaced the two ticks scheme (but its the same thing). It basically means an employer has to:

    * Ensure the recruitment process is accessible and inclusive

    * Communicate and promote vacancies in a wide range of formats

    * As long as you can demonstrate the essential criteria for the role being applied for, as a disabled candidate you are guaranteed an interview

    They will also have to show that they offer activity that will make a difference for disabled people, such as shadowing, volunteering, apprenticeships etc.

    I hope this information helps - best of luck with your job search.

    Kirsty

  • AlexW_Scope
    AlexW_Scope Scope Posts: 224 Pioneering
  • Jackie
    Jackie Community member Posts: 24 Connected
    edited January 2017

    Hi @ZaraWrites 

    Have you tried contacting your local Dial group to see whether they are able to offer any work opportunities or opportunities for voluntary work? This would help to get your name out there and also would look good on any CV. These organisations are always very busy offices and sorely in need of good admin support. Our Scope website will help you to find the nearest one to you.

    If there isn't a Dial group nearby to where you live then this website will also tell you about other local volunteering opportunities some of which will be in the field of administration:

    https://do-it.org/opportunities/search

    This really is just a starting point or stepping stone as you are clearly highly skilled and well qualified.

    I hope this helps and best of luck

    Jackie


  • ZaraWrites
    ZaraWrites Community member Posts: 26 Connected

    Hi @ZaraWrites I'm so sorry to hear how frustrating your job search is becoming.

    Has your DEA offered a referral to the work choice provider in your area?

    https://www.gov.uk/recruitment-disabled-people/work-choice-programme

    Sometimes, depending on the provider of a work choice programme, they may have business development managers that work closely with employers to 'open doors' rather than see disability as a problem. This can mean educating employers on a)their legal responsibilities, and the equalities act (after all, being dismissed on the basis of your disability is discrimination) and b) look at the access to work fund for providing the equipment or support you need to be able to fulfil the duties of the post without incurring an additional cost themselves.

    https://www.gov.uk/access-to-work/overview

    Please be aware though, that although the work choice programme is a voluntary programme if you decide to 'opt in' and then decide to no longer engage it may impact your benefit entitlement - it would be worth speaking to your DEA about this before (if you can) approaching this.

    Also, as a disabled person myself whenever I've looked for new job opportunities whenever I search for roles I will always look out for the 'Disability Confident' Symbol - this has recently replaced the two ticks scheme (but its the same thing). It basically means an employer has to:

    * Ensure the recruitment process is accessible and inclusive

    * Communicate and promote vacancies in a wide range of formats

    * As long as you can demonstrate the essential criteria for the role being applied for, as a disabled candidate you are guaranteed an interview

    They will also have to show that they offer activity that will make a difference for disabled people, such as shadowing, volunteering, apprenticeships etc.

    I hope this information helps - best of luck with your job search.

    Kirsty

    Hi, Kirsty, 
    Yes i was refered to Work Choice and i was with them for 6 months..but they were'nt helpful at all.
    They sent me to do a first aid course and in the middle of the test there was a incident with someone so we didnt finish the test and they sent us home and told us we will finish our test another day but i was never called back. i told work choice several times but they didnt do anything about it

    and they just kept messing me around to be honest, they kept telling me oh you've got a job and you start on this day at this time but on the day they just told me oh the manager is on holiday etc etc..

    After my 6 months were finished with workchoice i waited 2 years to for an appointment  to see DEA she said she will be refering me somewhere else where they will give me help to get into work..but i am still waiting for call or a letter from her
  • ZaraWrites
    ZaraWrites Community member Posts: 26 Connected
    Hi Jackie,
    Thank you! I've never heard of a Dial group before.
  • ZaraWrites
    ZaraWrites Community member Posts: 26 Connected
    Thank you to everyone! Your help is much appreciated.
  • ZaraWrites
    ZaraWrites Community member Posts: 26 Connected
    @alexwhite @Jackie
    I found the Dial group solihull. Thank you!
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 38 Courageous

    Hi @zaraWrites,

    I'm sorry to hear your experience wasn't a good one, sometimes they can be really helpful but it isn't always the case for everyone.

    Unfortunately it isn't uncommon to have to wait a very long time to have an appointment with the DEA, as these roles have reduced in numbers which means you can find its the same DEA covering a lot more job centres. Although that doesn't justify the long wait, its unfortunately the harsh reality. You could, if you haven't done so already, make a complaint to your JCP about it but I'm not sure if this will speed up getting your appointment.

    In the meantime can I ask what sort of thing your doing to search for roles, are you going on to a lot of the main job sites to search? As a few others have mentioned, you could try contacting a local DIAL group (if you have one) or maybe try a different route into work. It would be worth having a good look for local employers that are registered as 'Disability Confident' in your area - they may have some vacancies available; if they don't you could still approach them 'speculatively' to show your interest. Without giving too much detail away, are you able to share what town you live in? A big disability confident employer to perhaps have a look at is the NHS:

    http://www.jobs.nhs.uk

    You mentioned it was business admin you wanted to look for, there's usually a whole host of vacancies of this nature listed but again it will depend on where your based.

    Best wishes,

    Kirsty

  • ZaraWrites
    ZaraWrites Community member Posts: 26 Connected
    edited January 2017

    Hi @zaraWrites,

    I'm sorry to hear your experience wasn't a good one, sometimes they can be really helpful but it isn't always the case for everyone.

    Unfortunately it isn't uncommon to have to wait a very long time to have an appointment with the DEA, as these roles have reduced in numbers which means you can find its the same DEA covering a lot more job centres. Although that doesn't justify the long wait, its unfortunately the harsh reality. You could, if you haven't done so already, make a complaint to your JCP about it but I'm not sure if this will speed up getting your appointment.

    In the meantime can I ask what sort of thing your doing to search for roles, are you going on to a lot of the main job sites to search? As a few others have mentioned, you could try contacting a local DIAL group (if you have one) or maybe try a different route into work. It would be worth having a good look for local employers that are registered as 'Disability Confident' in your area - they may have some vacancies available; if they don't you could still approach them 'speculatively' to show your interest. Without giving too much detail away, are you able to share what town you live in? A big disability confident employer to perhaps have a look at is the NHS:

    http://www.jobs.nhs.uk

    You mentioned it was business admin you wanted to look for, there's usually a whole host of vacancies of this nature listed but again it will depend on where your based.

    Best wishes,

    Kirsty

    Im from Birmingham B11
    Yes i have found a Dial group in solihull.

    Yes im using job sites.
  • Jackie
    Jackie Community member Posts: 24 Connected
    edited January 2017

    Also check out this if you live in the Solihull area:

    https//solihullbid.co.uk/businesses/advance-employment

    Freshwinds is the Dial group in south B'ham and also offers good volunteering opportunities [if you are able to travel that far]:

    https://freshwinds.org.uk/get-involved/volunteer/volunteering-opportunities

    The contact person for them is David Epps [David.Epps@freshwinds.org.uk] but you can download a volunteering opportunity application form from their website

    Finally the Bham Disability Resource Centre also offers such opportunities:

    http://www.disability.co.uk/services/employment-preparation

    If these geographical areas are too far let us know and we will see what is nearer to you.

    Jackie

  • ZaraWrites
    ZaraWrites Community member Posts: 26 Connected
    Jackie said:

    Also check out this if you live in the Solihull area:

    http://https//solihullbid.co.uk/businesses/advance-employment

    Freshwinds is the Dial group in south B'ham and also offers good volunteering opportunities [if you are able to travel that far]:

    https://freshwinds.org.uk/get-involved/volunteer/volunteering-opportunities

    The contact person for them is David Epps [David.Epps@freshwinds.org.uk] but you can download a volunteering opportunity application form from their website

    Finally the Bham Disability Resource Centre also offers such opportunities:

    http://http://www.disability.co.uk/services/employment-preparation

    If these geographical areas are too far let us know and we will see what is nearer to you.

    Jackie

    Im from birmgham B11.
    Will checkout the bham disability resource centre. 
    Thank you.
  • Jackie
    Jackie Community member Posts: 24 Connected

    Good luck

    Jackie

  • Steveboy
    Steveboy Community member Posts: 1 Listener
    Because I'm deaf I find it hard to find a job . I just got made redundant but I know had two job in my whose life. I'm 47 I find in hard to talk to people but I do love to work 

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