Surrey Supported Employment Job Broker Partnership

The job broker partnership started in 2001 with funding from an ESF objective 3 project. The initial partnership comprised of EmployAbility a Surrey County Council service for people with learning disabilities and Work Links a service for people with mental health problems, part of the Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Trust. Since its inception the partnership has grown to some thirteen services all of whom offer employment support to people disadvantaged from the labour market due to their disability and or health condition. Currently, (2006) the partnership delivers the New Deal for Disabled People Programme and a ESF co-financed project with Jobcentre Plus (Support into Employment)

Surrey Supported Employment Network

The first meeting of the network was held in October 2001. Twenty Five organisations attended all of whom had similar objectives to provide employment support and training for people with disabilities. The network now has a membership of some 100 or more organisations or individuals. Seminars are held three times a year providing the members with the opportunity to discuss and receive presentations on employment related topics. Members also receive regular newsletters and information.

Surrey Supported Employment also has a website www.surrey-supported-employment.co.uk, a dedicated telephone help line and email facility surreyse@yahoo.co.uk

The main objectives of both the Surrey Supported Employment Job Broker Partnership and Network are to:

• Develop and share good practice
• Share Experiences, Expertise and Information
  
• Provide opportunities for partnership working and access to funding
  
• Increase employment opportunities for people disadvantaged from the work place due to their disability or health condition.