Disabled employee initiative 'requires business support'

10th March 2010

The success of charity Scope's Workstep programme has been boosted by the support of local businesses, the organisation's director of employment services has stated.

Steve Cairns noted that the scheme, which helps individuals with disabilities overcome complex barriers to landing a job, is helped significantly when firms get onboard, communitycare.co.uk reports.

He remarked: "Without employer buy-in from the beginning we wouldn't be this successful."

According to Mr Cairns, the most important part of the Workstep initiative is to instil confidence in applicants who may be lacking in self-esteem.

Disabled employees have a lot to offer companies, he added, but it is vital that they are able to put this across in an interview situation.

"It is about starting with a blank piece of paper for every customer," the expert explained.

Chief inspector at Ofsted Christine Gilbert last month stated that while the Workstep scheme is beginning to show signs of promise, more needs to be done to improve employment levels.

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