Vocational Support

For people with complex needs, who are excluded from mainstream society, finding and holding down paid employment tends to be a long-term goal. Initially we focus on providing individually tailored support which prepares a person for learning or work.

Southdown is skilled in delivering this type of support and our experience in this area enhances the work of our frontline support staff. Our new personal development planning for work, learning and day time activities has been developed with our supported employment team.

Areas that staff consider when working with individuals include:

• Attitudes to work
• Life skills for work – e.g. time-keeping and travel
• Workplace etiquette
• Communication skills
• Decision making
• Stress and anger management
• Negotiation skills and handling conflict
• Team working
• Self-presentation skills
• Ability to learn
• Self-awareness and assessment
• Self-discipline
• Alcohol and substance misuse – how this impacts on studying and work

Our aim is for 55% of all service users to access some form of work, learning or daytime activity during their time on a Southdown support service.