Balance Support CIO

Supported Employment - Kensington & Chelsea and Westminster

 We are a supported employment support service for people who have a learning, physical or sensory disability and who live in the boroughs of Kensington & Chelsea and Westminster. 

We support people to achieve their professional goals and aspirations, helping them to engage into volunteering experiences, training and education, work experiences and paid employment. 

What we offer

•  1:1 sessions with your Employment Consultant to support you into employment
• Person centred action plans (Goal Settings & Work development plans) 
• Build up confidence & independence 
• Write a CV & Personal Statement 
• Contact, employers on your behalf 
• Job search and completion of job applications
• Set up work trials and work experience
• Interview preparation
• Ongoing in work support and job coaching
• In work monitoring and reviews to help sustain your job.

 Mental Health Employment Support

The Balance Mental Health Employment Support team provides employment support to people living in the Royal Borough of Kingston who are experiencing mental health difficulties, working in partnership with Kingston iCope https://www.icope.nhs.uk/kingston/

We offer an impartial, supportive, and confidential approach to help people find the right job for them and to prevent them leaving their existing jobs due to mental ill health, when they want and can work.

Support to sustain your current role

• ·Discuss ways to support your wellbeing at work and developing strategies to use alongside support  to increase confidence and motivation
• Reflecting on support that is available within your organisation, for example, a supportive colleague, Employee assistance programme or speaking with your manager about your health and advising on reasonable adjustments, if appropriate. We can speak with your employers or talk you through ways that you can do this.
• Support you if you feel your current role has a negative impact on your mental health and you wish to move into a different sector which is more in line with your interests and values.

Returning to work from sick leave

• We can help you to return to work and develop a plan to help support you. This could include liaising with your employer or supporting you to do this, to include a phased return and ongoing support.

Finding the right job for you

• CV development, interview skills, job searching, assistance with application forms
• Signposting to courses, volunteering, and advocacy
• Guidance on changing career sector including looking at your current skills, what your strengths and interests are and planning what training or support there is to link you in with
• Overcoming identified barriers for example coming off benefits, working with you to stay motivated by helping you identify your employment related goals.