Delivering capacity building employment assistance

What is capacity building employment assistance?

Capacity building employment assistance helps participants of all ages to prepare, look for and gain sustainable employment.

Participants at different stages of their employment journey will require services matched to their needs and goals.

This may include help to: 

• gain additional work experience to complement what school provides
• find and maintain a part-time job outside of school hours
• transition from school into further education or training
• explore what work means (discovery)
• build essential foundation skills for work
• manage barriers to obtaining and sustaining employment
• implement job customisation/job carving
• find and maintain a job compatible with abilities and interests with ongoing support when necessary
• obtain alternative employment following onset or exacerbation of disability 
• assist a person to change jobs
• develop a career plan
• obtain employment on completion of a qualification 
• transition from a supported employment service (previously known as an Australian Disability Enterprise) to open employment
• successfully engage with a Disability Employment Service (DES) provider or other employment service to secure employment and arrange ongoing on the job support, if necessary. 

Provider responsibilities

Providers work closely with participants to help them get ready for work, find and keep a job. They plan employment pathways and develop tailored activities to meet each participant’s needs. 

Employment assistance typically includes:

• work experience in an inclusive employment environment
• assistance to develop specific vocational skills
• support to develop foundation skills that enable engagement in work (for example travelling independently, appropriate work behaviours and communication etc.).
• job customisation, employer connection and education
• selection and securing a job matched to a person’s abilities and interests

The type of employment assistance depends on what the participant and their provider agree is required.

We expect the provider and the participant to develop an activities schedule reflected in a service agreement to help the participant reach their employment goals.
 

Claiming payment for employment supports

Like all supports delivered to NDIS participants, claims for payment of employment assistance must meet NDIS rules and regulations and can only be claimed after delivery of the service. NDIA regularly checks claims to make sure they are compliant and in line with our Provider Payment Assurance Program.

In addition to complying with the NDIS rules and regulations, providers of employment supports for school leavers should make sure:

• invoices submitted contain correct contact information that helps us contact the provider (if required)
• they are adhering to any regular reporting requirements allowing the Agency to monitor and evaluate funding outcomes. 
   

Employment assistance while at school

The NDIA responded to parent and teacher feedback and research evidence that indicates the need for employment options to be considered long before a student completes their secondary schooling.

As a result, NDIS planners and local area coordinators will have conversations with participants and their parents about considering employment from the time they reach working age. The NDIS can help school-age participants engage in additional work experience that supplements what the school provides; or to get a part-time job outside school hours, just like their peers.

Participants who may not be ready to consider employment immediately can use their community participation funds in NDIS plans to increase their independence in the community. This will help them prepare for specific work training when they leave school, resulting in a shorter period required for employment preparation.

Employment for school leavers  

Moving from school to work is a big change for young people. Participants with difficulties in the areas of learning, social interaction and self-management often need intensive assistance to build their skills and confidence to enter the workforce.

It is important to consider the needs of the participant and family at the time of transition from a structured school environment. Some participants may initially need regular activity and structure while others will be ready for a highly individualised employment preparation service.

Employment assistance is to be tailored to the individual’s needs. The following skills may be part of an individual program of supports to help participants get ready for and gain employment:

• independent travel 
• time management 
• communication and social skills
• money handling 
• discovery of suitable types of work 
• work experience
• specific work skills 
• personal development 

When a participant is ready their provider will support them to find the right job, connect with an employer and start work. 

The NDIS funds employment assistance for school leavers with difficulties in learning, social interaction and self-management for an initial period of up to two years. Funding beyond the initial two years depends on progress and the likelihood of an employment outcome if the funding were to continue.

Other school leavers will have funding that responds to their particular circumstances and choice of activity post school.  They may be assisted to undertake an apprenticeship or traineeship or to commence tertiary education. Most importantly, they should be assisted to obtain employment in their chosen field when they complete their qualifications.

If, at the end of a period of funded service, the participant has not yet gained employment, the provider should prepare a report outlining the additional support they require to reach their goal.  This report should cover: 

• the work goal the participant is aiming for 
• the support delivered and progress to date
• the skills the participant still needs to build
• the plan to get them there, including how long it is likely to take.

Employment assistance for other participants 

NDIS can provide funding for capacity building for employment for participants who could not access such supports when they left school. Whilst NDIA emphasises the importance of starting early, we are aware that some participants missed this opportunity. It is never too late to consider whether employment is possible. 

Any participant of working age can ask to have employment preparation included in their plan so they can explore what options are available and to test their suitability for employment. This could include participants who are working in supported employment and want to consider employment in other settings or participants who want to progress their career or change jobs.

Start the process by talking with a local area coordinator or a support coordinator.

Employment related assessment, counselling and advice  

Employment related assessment, counselling and advice assists participants to successfully engage in work. Support may include: 

• vocational assessment
• functional assessment 
• education and support for the participant, the employer and others in the workplace 
• counselling when a participant’s disability prevents return to their previous occupation.

This support can help to:

• identify a participant’s unique strengths and barriers to employment
• inform a work goal and development plan
• assist with adjustments to work processes or workplaces that enable a participant to be productive and work safely.

Who could benefit? 

Participants who need significant support to develop a new work pathway, for example

• Participants who have experienced traumatic injury / acquired a disability 
• Participants who have limited work experience or knowledge of work

Who can deliver this assistance?

This support is delivered by allied health professionals for example an occupational therapist, psychologist, vocational or rehabilitation counsellor or developmental educator.  A physiotherapist or a speech pathologist may be an appropriate professional to provide employment related assessment and advice for participants whose disability affects their physical movement and function or communication. 

Provider reporting and resources

Visit Provider reporting and resources for:

• Information on provider reporting including the provider reporting tool. 
• Insights into the factors that enable participants to obtain paid work
• Employment outcomes for individual providers
• Guidance to encourage good practice