Helping People Overcome Barriers and Find Long-term Employment
HOPE (Helping Others Progress in Employment) Agency is a supported employment agency provided by South Gloucestershire and Stroud College (SGS). We support clients with learning difficulties / disabilities and mental health issues to find and retain stable, long-term employment with inclusive companies and roles that match their skill set.
How HOPE Works?
HOPE is a non-profit agency that focuses on supporting the talent and skills of our clients and matching them with inclusive organisations.
We work with clients that have self-referred or who have been referred from a wide variety of sources, including DWP, schools and colleges, Job Centre Plus and Youth Services.
Our recruitment opportunities are with inclusive organisations that are committed to looking beyond any disability and finding the best person for the job.
Clients
To register with HOPE, you must be 19 plus and have a learning difficulty, learning disability or mental health condition and a desire to gain paid employment full or part time.
Client Support
- An initial assessment of the individual client needs will be carried out which will help to establish a personalised employment support plan.
- Each client will be matched with an Employment Job Coach who will work closely with you.
- Relevant pre-employment training and support options will be suggested and may include interview skills, CV writing and confidence- building workshops.
- HOPE Agency will support each client upon initial employment, via regular client/employer check-ins, consistent review of employment support plan.
Employers
Want to have a diverse and inclusive workforce but not sure how to attract the right people? HOPE Agency can help find and train talented candidates that you might not reach through other recruitment channels.
Free service
HOPE Agency services are free to
employers and clients. As well as finding suitable candidates to fill
your vacancies, we will continue to support you and your new employee
long after they have started work.
Work with a professional, dedicated, and friendly team
The success of HOPE is due to the bespoke nature of our work. We
tailor our support around the individual's needs and due to the amount
of 1:1 time we spend with each person, we build up a very detailed
understanding of each client. Because of this, we are able to listen to
your requirements and aim to find the closest possible match, without
you having to trawl through huge numbers of applications. With a strong
understanding of our clients, their experience, barriers, and any
support they may need, you can be assured that we will aim to help you
find the right person for your organisation.
Job coaching
Support doesn't stop once you have
filled your vacancy. HOPE can continue to support both the client and
you through our job coaching process. This can be to help with any
aspect of their training, role or personal development, and often
involves us coming to see them at work to gain a thorough understanding
of what they do in order to help them to the best of our ability. We can
also help you with training or understanding what support a new employee
might need. This unique part of our role is designed to take the
pressure off you when taking on a new employee, maintain consistency for
our clients and ensure that they have the best possible opportunity to
reach their potential.
Case Studies
Charlie Burden, aged 21, is currently working at Kellaway Building Supplies. After undertaking a work placement at the builders merchant, Charlie impressed his manager so much, he was offered a paid contract.
Adam Laity, Branch Manager, commented:
"Having the opportunity to take Charlie as a work placement has assisted me in recruiting in what is a very challenging market and is a route which I would recommend.
Charlie was selected by his tutor, based on the college courses he has completed in the past. I found he had the right basic knowledge to slot into the position of Yard Operative. He has performed brilliantly and not only have I have seen him grow into the role but his confidence has grown at the same time.
Charlie has done so well we have been able to create an opportunity for him to have a paid contract with us. The contract is also flexible enough to support him with his family responsibilities. This is a great opportunity for a student to enter the workplace, to experience working life, routine, and gain real life experience in a positive way."
Will Crockford is currently working at The Mall, Cribbs Causeway, in the housekeeping department.
He said:
"SGS helped me get the skills needed for my work placement at The Mall. I love it and really enjoy the freedom of working."
Apply to the HOPE Agency
To apply with HOPE, you must be 19 plus and have a learning difficulty, learning disability or mental health condition and a desire to gain paid employment full or part time.
Enquire NowFor a client to be referred to HOPE they must:
- not be in education, training or employment
- want to access PAID employment
- be aged 19+
- to be ready to access employment within 9 months
- have a barrier to work (learning difficulty/disability or mental health issues)
- be able to travel independently or have the ability to learn
- be able to work unsupported after a agreed period of job coaching
- be referred by a professional organisation/person or self referral