Supporting the recruitment and retention of disabled people

How to complete the survey To ensure as many people as possible are able to contribute their opinions there are four possible methods for completing this survey. It is important that the views of a particular individual are only submitted once. However, organisations can choose to use more than one method in order to offer as many members as possible the chance to contribute. We hope this flexibility will enable as many people as possible to give their views and allow organisations to combine the completion of the survey with their wider objectives if required. The four methods are: Group single submission The group would jointly consider the questions and discuss an appropriate group score for each question. One form would then be completed and a single tick entered in each appropriate box to reflect the joint view of the group. This method may be useful if the survey was being considered during a focus group or workshop. It may be appropriate for organisations who wish to combine the collection of data with wider social or personal development objectives, or whos members need a high degree of support to complete the survey. Aggregated single submission Either in a group or individually, networks consider the questions and give their individual score for each. The answers would then be recorded for the entire group by entering the number of people who have selected each response in the appropriate box. This method may be useful for organisations who wish to record and build on the information from individuals and the whole group for their own projects. Whilst only requiring a single submission, the responses could be gathered in a variety of ways. Group multiple submission Individuals are given a copy of the survey to complete and return to the organisation. The organisation then returns all the surveys as a group submission. This method would allow organisations to gain knowledge of issues affecting their member group before submission without requiring them to collate data. It may be of particular benefit to organisations wishing to enhance group cohesion where direct contact with members of the network is challenging. Individual submission Individuals are given the survey to complete and asked to submit it directly to the address provided. This method may be useful for organisations who have no direct interest in survey content but wish to enable members of their network to contribute for their wider benefit. Regardless of the method chosen you should submit your responses using the attached form. Responses can be emailed to projects@skillsforcare.org.uk. The deadline is Friday 30 March. If you wish to give out individual sheets you may either print the attached survey or request copies by emailing projects@skillsforcare.org.uk or calling 0113 245 1716. Printed copies should be returned to FREEPOST RSJC-GGSE-SXCY, Recruiting disabled people project, Skills for Care, West Gate, 6 Grace Street, Leeds LS1 2RP.

The survey

Thank you for participating in this survey. Please select the method used for completing the survey: Group single (number participating........... ) Aggregated single

Group multiple Individual

Skills for Care will treat all your responses as confidential and will not use them in any way which will allow individuals to be identified. However if you would like to be kept informed about this project and receive information about other opportunities to contribute please fill in your contact details and indicate your preferred method of contact below. Name of individual or group: .................................................................................................................................................................................................. Address: ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
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Telephone: ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. Email: ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. Preferred method of contact: ................................................................................................................................................................................................. Nature of disability/impairment/condition: If you are making a group single submission or aggregated single submission please give an indication of the range of disabilities within the group.

Employment status - please tick all that apply If you are completing the survey as a group single submission or aggregated single submission you do not need to complete this section unless you wish to do so. in adult social care in another sector In paid employment full time In paid employment part time Self-employed/contractor In voluntary employment (either part or full time) Not currently working Looking for paid work Intend to look for paid work in the future

Some people have told us about barriers disabled people seeking employment may face. We would like to know how much these barriers would be likely to affect you if you were looking for work. Please consider each barrier and indicate how much you feel it would affect you by placing a tick in the appropriate column. The columns are labelled 1-5 representing: 1 2 3 4 5 = It would not affect me at all = It would have a small effect = It would have a moderate effect = It would have a big affect = It is likely to prevent me applying for, accepting or maintaining a job

If you are making an aggregated single submission, please enter the total number of people who select each response under the relevant box. There are no right or wrong answers and we would ask you to be completely honest in your response. If you would like to add comments, or tell us about other barriers you have experienced, please use the section at the end of this survey

Barriers Poor recruitment adverts

Examples include: adverts that give insufficient information for you to assess your suitability, do not encourage disabled workers or fail to communicate employers willingness to consider individual needs.

Poor recruitment information packs

Examples include: packs that fail to address diversity issues by offering availability in different formats, give little/vague information or fail to differentiate between desirable and necessary attributes and skills.

Poor access to the work place and its facilities

Examples include: no wheelchair access to building or work stations, unsuitable toilet and staff room arrangements, cluttered work environment which affects worker access.

Transport difficulties

Examples include: workplace location is difficult to access by public transport, no disabled parking available, support for work related travel would be necessary.

Unsuitable/inflexible start or finish times

Examples include: start and or finish times make it difficult to arrange support packages or manage health needs.

Barriers Unsuitable/inflexible shift lengths

Examples include: long shifts impacting on health, short shifts, meaning disproportionate travel and support needs.

Difficulty in getting needs for assistive technology met

Examples include: employer unwilling or unable to provide necessary equipment, poor understanding of the technology available and concerns about cost.

Prejudiced or assumptive attitude of employer

Examples include: employer is dismissive, makes negative or generalised statements about your disability, fails to explore your capabilities or ways you could be enabled.

Poor understanding of disability rights and employment law

Examples include: employers reluctant to employ disabled people because, they think they will not be able to sack them if they cannot do the job, believe they will be obliged to provide a disproportionate amount of adaptations and specialised equipment or must offer the disabled person preferential treatment.

Lack of suitable training and development opportunities offered

Examples include: training and development opportunities offered are not suitable for persons with your level of experience, the design of the training means it does not meet your disability needs or is difficult for you to access.

Poor support and supervision programme

Examples include: no programme of support and supervision, programme is minimal or inflexible and does not allow for individual needs to be met.

No supported induction offered

Examples include: induction programme is none existent or does not offer sufficient support for your needs, no mentor is offered for your induction period, no option for gradual uptake of responsibilities is offered.

Barriers Poor employer awareness of funding and support systems available to help disabled people into work

Examples include: employer is unaware of or has poor understanding of permitted earnings or access to work schemes, appears daunted by the prospect of meeting your needs, is unable to signpost you to other avenues of help and support.

Poor employer understanding of impact of disability on education and employment issues

Examples include; employer requires qualifications which may not have been possible for people to attain in specialist educational settings, fails to recognise and value experiential knowledge and/or voluntary work experience, does not allow for potential lack of interviewing skills of those new to the labour market.

Any additional comments?

Please return completed forms to projects@skillsforcare.org.uk or FREEPOST RSJCGGSE-SXCY, Recruiting disabled people project, Skills for Care, West Gate, 6 Grace Street, Leeds LS1 2RP by Friday 30 March 2012.