Our Job Coaches have compiled valuable tips and reasonable adjustments you can make to your workplace to accommodate a person with a learning disability or additional needs.
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Work trial leading to potential employment
Employer to offer a period of work over a set time period from 1 week to 4 weeks. This will allow enough time for the employer to observe the skills and qualities of the learner that they may not be able to demonstrate/discuss during an interview.
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Bespoke Interview Questions
Encouragement of non-abstract ideas – For example, direct questions remove any ambiguous connotations. Offer the learner multiple opportunities to respond to questions. Re-phrase questions. Avoid colloquialisms and acronyms. Encourage the use of social stories. Allow time for the student to process the questions.
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Bespoke online Training package
Bespoke online Training package to contain short videos / Audio – Visual learning preferred – No lengthy PowerPoint text to read. Job coach to support with training. The Job Coach can also offer systematic training.
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Allocate individual tasks
Allocate individual tasks each week as part of their shift. For example, the first job of the day will be to ensure that the milk is stocked up. Last job of the day to face up the Ambient section…. Providing students with a checklist of jobs to complete allows the learner to take responsibility for individual tasks over a set period.
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Regular workplace reviews
Reviewing vocational tasks and setting new objectives. Highlight the existing skills of the learner and the skills required for the development. Recommend reasonable periods for the achievement of targets. Use of Job Coach for systematic training if necessary.LSEC interview1
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Job Coach
Job Coach to communicate regularly with employers/co-workers – Preferably face to face, but suiting the business need, accommodating the needs of the business, and providing a support service with minimal disruption.
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Buddy system
Highlighting an existing team member who will have sensitivities to learners with additional needs. The company could offer training to develop the buddy through either college or Bromley Mencap partners.
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Same time for lunch/breaks
Clarification of start and finish times. Routine preferred. However, the changing nature of the business needs to be appreciated, and plenty of notice should be given to sudden changes to rotas/shifts.