About Us.
A government-funded employment support service
Established in 2001, EmployAbility Service Wicklow is a supported employment service for people with any long-term medical condition, illness, injury or disability. We are part of a network of 23 supported employment companies nationally and funded by the Department of Social Protection.
About The Service
The EmployAbility service, which was formerly known as the Supported Employment Programme, is a national employment service dedicated to improving employment outcomes for Jobseekers with a disability. It is based on the ethos that participation in employment can be achieved by people with a disability when they are able to avail of individualised supports that are based on their choices and preferences.
In line with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the service’s overall vision is to support people with a disability to secure and maintain employment and it aims to help stem the flow of people with disabilities and extra support needs into long-term unemployment by facilitating integration into suitable and fulfilling mainstream employment.
The service was originally established in 2000 (under the aegis of the former An Foras Áiseanna Saothair (FÁS)). Responsibility for the programme transferred to the Department of Social Protection in 2012. There are a total of 23 EmployAbility services in Ireland, each having a specific geographical remit and governed by a voluntary board of directors.
EmployAbility Service Wicklow Activities
The County Wicklow service is provided free of charge to all Jobseekers and employers and its key objectives are:
-
To undertake an Employment Needs Assessment with each Jobseeker.
-
Identify the type of employment the Jobseeker wishes to pursue in the open labour market.
-
Prepare a Vocational Profile for each Jobseeker and then implement an Individual Employment Plan.
-
Match the Jobseekers with suitable employment.
-
Provide any necessary support and coaching in the workplace
-
Conducting a job review for those placed in employment.
-
Support ongoing progression to independent employment without EmployAbility support.
So who can avail of the service?
Support Services:
We work closely with local services that support people with mental ill health, addiction and disability. For example, learning disabilities, neurodiversity such as autism, ADHD, asperger’s syndrome, physical and sensory disabilities, mental ill health such as anxiety, depression, bipolar and schizophrenia.
Mission Statement
To help stem the flow of people with disabilities and other disadvantaged groups into long-term unemployment by facilitating integration into suitable and fulfilling mainstream employment.
To form alliances and working partnerships with other organisations and service providers throughout County Wicklow to meet organisational objectives.
To play an active and leading role in County Wicklow in informing and influencing employers with regard to the benefits of employing individuals with disabilities.
To set and promote world-class standards in employment and placement services within a framework of total quality and continuous improvement.
Bray (Head Office)
Aishlinn Molloy O’ Shaughnessy
Employment Support Specialist
aishlinn@employabilitywicklow.ie
Landline: 012116474 Mobile: 0868104934
Eimear Larkin
Employment Support Specialist
eimear@employabilitywicklow.ie
Landline: 012116474 Mobile: 0861035034
Declan Tanham
Co-ordinator
declan@employabilitywicklow.ie
Landline: 012116474 Mobile: 0868144858
Wicklow Office
Susan Comerford
Employment Support Specialist
susan@employabilitywicklow.ie
Landline: 040420417 Mobile: 0864107563
Berni Hamilton
Employment Support Specialist
berni@employabilitywicklow.ie
Landline: 040420417 Mobile: 0863882459
Jackie McHenry
Employment Support Specialist
jackie@employabilitywicklow.ie
Landline: 040420417 Mobile: 0860496875
