Success Stories
Staffordshire County Council is constantly working to provide employment opportunities for disadvantaged workgroups. Detailed below are the experiences of work placement candidates and County Council managers who have got involved with Supported Work Opportunities.
Experiences of Work Placement Candidates
"My time spent in the Legal Services Unit, on the Open Doors Scheme, has been very enjoyable. I was placed in a small team, who welcomed me just as much as if I was a new permanent member of staff. It has been a great experience to work within the County Council. I couldn’t have asked for a better placement. I would recommend the Open Doors Scheme to anyone looking to gain up-to-date work experience to help them gain employment." (Karl Davis—Candidate) contract as been extended for a further 3 months.
"I started my placement with the contact centre in October 2010, volunteering for 2 days every week on the general enquiry line, the office was so welcoming and supportive as I hadn’t worked in an office environment before. I learned quickly and was offered a casual contract by Christmas time, In the New Year I joined the Staffordshire Cares pilot on a full time basis, as an employee I was able to apply for internal vacancies, and as a result of this I have secured a contract as a temporary customer service advisor and will be working with the registrars, highways and vunerable adults lines. I will continue to apply for a permanent position and look forward to a career with Staffordshire County Council." (Richard Turner— Candidate Contact Centre)
"As an Open Door candidate the programme has been of great development to me. It has made big changes in my life to the amazement of my friends, colleagues and family. I carry out duties in the office without worrying how to go about it. Typing an official letter for the boss or receiving a call and sending out messages to those required or even booking appointments for members of staff is now a habit with training on Microsoft Office. My performance has developed with production of the pink magazine with publisher and producing presentations using power point. Working with a team of supporting and understanding staff has increased my confidence and enthusiasm for work. I get up every morning looking forward to a new day of making history in Staffordshire by putting in the surveys for the Hoard. It’s been amazing seeing me develop in skills and confidence as a member of a team."(Winnie Ebockayuk—Candidate)
Experiences of Staffordshire County Council Managers
Anthony Shore- Team Leader, Animal Health Team
Anthony, Team Leader for the Animal Health team hosted a six month work placement organised through the Burton Addiction Centre. The placement was for Kevin, who had been addicted to drugs for over thirty years, but after 17 months drug-free he wanted the opportunity to gain work skills and begin the process of reintegrating into the community. Kevin started his placement with the county council in June 2008.
Anthony said: "I think it has been a very worthwhile placement for Kevin. From a personal development perspective it has been fantastic to see his confidence and self esteem grow. He's learnt new skills that he will be able to take with him when he leaves us. He's become a really well-liked, valued member of the team"
"For myself and the team the placement has been a really rewarding experience, I feel that as a team, we have really been able to make a difference for both Kevin and his family. "
Eve Walker - Team Leader, Business Support Team
Eve, Team Leader for the Chief Executives Business Support Team hosted Sarah on a 13 week work experience placement. Sarah, who has Downs Syndrome, was made aware of the placement opportunities at the county council through MENCAP. Sarah wanted to gain valuable work experience whilst being fully supported by MENCAP and started her placement in the Business Support Team in August 2008. During her placement Sarah undertook a number of administrative tasks, including; filling, photocopying and typing, whilst also supporting the team with their day-to-day duties.
Eve comments: "Over the 13 weeks Sarah spent with us, we saw a real transformation in her. Originally very quite and shy, she really came out of her shell. Her confidence grew greatly, she worked hard, developed good relationships with the other team members. She was really motivated to continue working once the placement had come to an end."
"As a team, it feels great to think we have helped Sarah develop her skills and confidence in the work place, it feels like we've made a real difference."
Rod Goldthorpe - Headteacher, Walton Hall Special School
Rod, Headteacher of Walton Hall Special School has for the past five years been working with HMPS Drake Hall to provide work experience opportunities for female ex-offenders who are seeking work placements and volunteering opportunities as part of their resettlement programme. Working closely with Drakehall resettlement officers, Rod has been able to provide placement opportunities for over thirty women since he became involved in the programme.
Rod said: "The partnership between us and Drakehall has been key to the success of this project. We work very closely with Drakehall resettlement officers to ensure only suitable candidates who are motivated and eager to learn are placed with us. Our aim is to provide these women with the opportunity to build their self esteem, develop skills, access training and gain valuable work experience."
"Over the past five years, we have benefited greatly from this programme. The women have maintained our onsite farm facility, something that we would have had to otherwise close down and they also work to maintain our buildings and grounds. The women bring with them a wealth of skills and experience. They are polite, eager to learn, humble and very hard working."
"The women also benefit from the programme. In conjunction with a local training provider, they can gain vocational qualifications in painting and decorating for example so it is something they can use in the future. Many of the women placed with us have gone on to find permanent employment."
Glynis Kelly - Practice Teacher & Social Worker
Practice teacher, Glynis Kelly, has been providing placement opportunities for university students training to be social workers for a number of years. Glynis has hosted numerous placements for a variety of candidates, including X, a young lady with physical and learning disabilities.
Glynis comments "X really enjoyed her placement with us, initially we had to make some environmental changes for her, but after that she carried out the same tasks that any other social worker would do, we worked so her disability would not prevent her learning. The team were very receptive to X's disability and supported her fully and X became an integral and important part of our team while she was with us. Following the placement it was great to hear that X had been offered a permanent job at the county council".
On a personal level, Glynis comments: "I get great satisfaction from helping those who have got an interest in social work. I hope to make learning interesting and develop good social workers. Placement opportunities enable individuals to learn through work experience, grow and develop transferable skills whilst being guided and supported by someone with knowledge and experience."
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