Carers' and family members' questions about Persona Employment Pathways (PEP) answered:
How do I know my loved one will be safe with PEP?
We have knowledgeable, specially trained staff who will get to know your loved one. We offer a choice of risk assessed workplaces, delivering opportunities that we can adapt to people's needs and goals. We believe everyone is capable of learning and we'll tailor support and assessments to help people learn new skills, realise that they are capable of developing and building on what they already know and can do, to achieve their goals.
People we support won't work alone in any skills placement and will never go to a new role on their own. There will always be someone to ask for help.
How will my loved one be supported with anxiety or other needs?
Our staff have years of experience supporting people with learning and physical disabilities and they'll work closely with staff in other Persona services, professionals, you and your loved one - all the people who already know and understand the person we're supporting well. This means we can enable support that makes a positive impact by adjusting each placement to exactly what each person wants to learn in a way that works for them; we'll also make any changes needed as they work through their placement.
All our skills placements offer different opportunities to learn some specific skills, as well as giving people experience in transferable job skills - find out more about these here. We will support employers to provide suitable roles and support everyone for up to 6 months in their chosen job or volunteering role.
Will PEP staff understand what my loved one needs?
Our staff are trained in:
How will PEP help my loved one to become more independent?
The transferable skills people will learn don't only apply at work but also in day to day life. As people realise what they are capable of and how they can continue to learn on their own, they will naturally learn to be more confident, independent and they will be supported to move onto whatever they want to do next by our job coaches, who will work with them to understand their interests and future goals.
Why does PEP call their job coaches 'specialists'?
Our coaches have specialist training, recommended by the British Association for Supported Employment:
As well as job coaches helping people find a role and supporting through skills placements and qualifications, our unique service also supports people into a new role for up to six months.
What exactly is the UAS (AQA) qualification you offer on your skills placements?
The AQA Unit Award Scheme (UAS) was established in 1984, with the aim of enabling 'achievement for all'. Learners get certificates for completing each short unit. The units are internally assessed and there are no exams. People are assessed by our staff, who know them well and who can adapt the assessments to each person's needs and abilities. This ensures everyone has the opportunity to show their knowledge, develop their confidence and achieve their full potential throughout their placement.
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