Case studies
Sally
Sally was attending a training centre and she had completed rehabilitative training and was looking forward to finding employment. However she did not have any work experience and therefore she was not really sure what kind of job she wanted to do.
Sally’s key worker Anna contacted the local supported employment service and before long Sally had a Job Coach to support her in sourcing employment.
Together Sally and her Job Coach Ella made an action plan. The first task was to find local work experience tasters for Sally so she could get a better idea of the kind of work she would like to do. Sally spent two weeks in a factory that produces labels and stickers for cars. There were a lot of different tasks to be done there and Sally enjoyed the placement and liked meeting new people but she did not really like the long shifts and the noisy environment. The second placement was in a supermarket where Sally learned how to interact with customers and to rotate the stock on shelves. She also checked the contents of the freezer cabinets and her task was to identify the products that needed to be replenished and to fetch them from the store in a trolley.
Sally really enjoyed the supermarket placement. She identified her wish to work with people and to be part of a team keeping the store running smoothly and helping customers. Ella and Sally prepared curriculum vitae for Sally detailing her training and her work experience. They began to look at job vacancies in the local newspapers and on the Fás website.
When a vacancy came up at a local supermarket, Sally applied for the job by sending in her cv. Ella supported Sally in learning interview skills and Sally attended for interview and got the job. She works 12 hours a week and she really enjoys her job. Sally is earning a wage and has made new friends at work.
Nigel
After completing a year at college Nigel had good skills in information technology. He left the course after a serious bout of depression and did not feel like returning. He felt that he would prefer to look for work and he visited his local Fás office where he was given information about supported employment. He decided to give it a try. Nigel’s confidence was not as good as it had been before his illness and he liked the idea of having a Job Coach to support him to regain his confidence and to find suitable employment for him.
Jenny was Nigel’s Job Coach and during the initial phase of supported employment Nigel decided that he would like to learn how to operate a computerised accounting system. Jenny arranged a six week work experience placement in a local firm of accountants where Nigel learned the basic skills of accounting. During the placement Nigel visited the supported employment offices to meet with Jenny so that he could update his CV and explore job opportunities. He also met with Jenny and his CPN to plan a strategy for coping with his illness in the workplace and the fact that he would require regular medication and accommodations in the workplace such as frequent breaks and time off for medical appointments. They discussed disclosure of mental illness and how employers and co-workers might respond.
As the weeks went by Nigel started to feel more confident and he noticed a marked improvement in his general well being. A few weeks later Nigel applied for a job in a small firm of taxation specialists and was granted an interview. Naturally he was nervous and Jenny set up mock interviews for him so by the time his interview date came around he felt well practised. Nigel was successful in getting the post and he is now in his seventh year with the same company. He has also learned to drive and is currently studying part time for a degree in accounting.