Paid work (for over 16 hours a week)

Workstep, funded by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP), aims to provide support for disabled people or those with mental health problems who face barriers to finding and keeping work.

Referrals to the service come through the Disability Employment Advisers, based within the Jobcentre. Vocational Services enable disabled people to compete for employment (over 16 hours per week) through the Workstep programme.

Vocational Services are based at Grove House in Dorchester, but placement officers work across the county providing support, advice and guidance to individuals and local employers.

Support includes:

Drawing up vocational profiles and development plans
Support with application forms, CVs and preparing for interview
Advice on adjustments and support in the workplace
Ongoing support and steps to help progress to unsupported employment if possible

Where needed, a job coach can provide a period of short term one to one support in the workplace, for example during the induction period or learning more complex tasks.

The factsheets, 'Workstep - Helping people with disabilities into work' and 'Workstep - Employing people with disabilities' are available from our factsheets directory.