Chair: Kevin H, Bristol seminar participant
Facilitators: Andrew Little and Sarah Lang-Jones, UKC
Rapporteurs: Bob Gordon and Matthew Hudson, Centre for Economic and Social Inclusion
This workshop was for participants considering starting or re-starting work in the future and was facilitated by the Positive Futures Partnership ( PFP ). It was held twice during the conference and was attended by 40 people.
To identify steps that are needed to help go back to work
To identify what help might be useful to assist this process
To share ideas about how these services might be provided/developed
That participants will be empowered to identify what they want locally and to identify who/where to ask
Find out what the issues are for those attending the session.
Rights under the DDA
Dealing with disclosure
CVs and gaps in employment
Health and work
Welfare Benefits – debunking the myth that it’s not worth going back to work
Look at what services might be able to assist people to provide/set up services that they might want to help them
Although facilitators had devised a structure for the sessions, participants largely led the content by brainstorming the barriers that exist and what types of support are required, followed by a discussion of solutions. Participants shared their experience of looking for work, or being in work, rather than the facilitators dictating the solutions.
Facilitators had prepared overheads and a poster of key questions
What do you think are the next steps you need to take towards gaining employment?
What help or support would be useful to you?
Can you identify/do you know/who do you think could/should be able to provide that help?
Participants from outside of London have less readily available access to networks and support groups and this was highlighted in the workshop. Availability of support in the regions was raised as a barrier.
Disclosure is of enormous importance both in returning to work and sustained employment. Many participants had chosen not to disclose, others chose to disclose at interview, or before, depending on the nature of the job, as well as the attitude of the individual. Facilitators encouraged other participants to suggest ideas and possible solutions.
Some participants had previously felt obliged to disclose due to personal conviction or concerns about legal implications. Many did not understand the importance of the subtle presentation of employment gaps on application forms and CVs. Legal and general advice around disclosure was well received as it challenged participant’s ideas and pre-conceptions.
The group discussed using strategies to cover gaps in work history focusing on how the time was spent, e.g. travel, looking after children/caring for a sick partner, developing a hobby, training or doing voluntary work. They also discussed how evidence of competency can be drawn from this. For example travel leads to improved problem solving, due to finding your way around in a place that has different systems. It also may require someone to develop communication skills, as they may not share a language. People can talk about how it developed their knowledge of new cultures and ways of doing things.
A number of participants commented about the outlook of HIV organisations and people living with HIV. The conference had highlighted that the HIV sector was adopting a fresh outlook, as the life impact of contracting HIV had evolved alongside the development of ARVs.
PFP Packs detailing CV writing advice, benefit claims advice, and employment services delivered in London were distributed following this session, giving participants a feeling of going away with something, as well as providing vital follow-up information.
Disclosure in the workplace was a concern for many participants
Employment gaps can be presented as positive time on CVs and application forms
There are regional differences in employment services
There were themes identified from the feedback and the brackets indicate who participants felt should take responsibility:
Conduct baseline research to establish extent of current regional provision in specific regions (PFP)
Develop advice about services and how to find them in the regions (PFP)
Roll out London PFP back to work services to the regions (PFP)
Create links to offer back to work services in co-operation with other service providers – e.g. CAB, Volunteer Bureaux, New Deal, THT (PFP)
Adapt hospital and support services to improve access, become more work friendly, flexible and brief (NHS?)
Set-up internet forum/telephone helpline for advice and guidance (PFP)
Raise PFP profile outside London , perhaps through Positive Nation or Primary Care Trusts? (PFP)
Develop disclosure advice from an employer’s perspective (PFP)
Develop index of HIV friendly companies, possibly building on a survey of employer attitudes (PFP)
Improve benefit support in higher level education to improve skills development prospects (Government)
Streamline process from Incapacity Benefit to employment and return to claiming (Government)
This workshop was evaluated by 28 people. The youngest participant was 27 and the oldest was 62. The average age was 40.
Gender
18 male, 10 female, not stated
Ethnicity
13 white, 10 black African, 3 not stated, 2 other non-white
Sexuality
14 gay, 13 heterosexual, 1 bisexual
Employment status
16 not employed, 9 full-time, 2 self-employed, 1 part-time
Usefulness
Very useful |
Useful |
Not useful |
32%(9) |
57% (16) |
11% (3) |
14 people set themselves action points:
Personal action (40%)
Could now look for voluntary positions
Go back to work and carry medication with me
Try to work with more confidence
Finding out more (30%)
Find local help, find resources
Contact PFP
Find out my rights
Educate and inform others (30%)
Helping people at local organisation to get back to work
Empowered to use DDA if needed
Will take the recommendations forward
Move on to Standards - Who Cares?