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GO Forwards

If you have a health condition or disability and need support in the workplace you may be eligible for a “GO Forwards” paid work placement.

A “GO Forwards” placement can help you gain valuable work experience in a supportive environment whilst developing your skills and growing your confidence, providing you with an essential stepping-stone that could lead to long term, sustainable employment.

Do you qualify for a placement?

To qualify for a trainee placement, Access to Work (ATW) eligibility conditions must be satisfied so you will need to:

  • Have complex work-related support needs arising primarily from disability; and
  • Requirements in work which cannot immediately be overcome through workplace adjustments which are required under the Equality Act 2010 and/or by (standard) Access to Work support; and
  • With intensive support, be able to work in a recognised Supported Business; and
  • Be able to work for at least 16 hours per week; and
  • Aged 16 or over (there is no upper age limit for support as long as the employment is likely to continue).

Placements are for 16 hours per week for 6 months and may be with GELS Healthcare Supported Business or with another employer.

GELS Healthcare

GELS (Gloucestershire Equipment Loan Service) loans equipment to residents to help them remain in their home, achieving and maintaining independence and support to carers.

The service is funded by Gloucestershire County Council and local NHS partners and the equipment is provided through the Gloucestershire County Council Community Equipment Service.

GELS is also a supported business whose primary aim is to provide employment opportunities for disabled people.

There are 2 sites: 1 in Hempstead, Gloucester and 1 in Mitcheldean.

A picture of the GIS building which is a mustard coloured big warehouse building with a cargo bay door.  The GIS health care building which is a brick building with a red GIS health care sign on it and there is a grey skip outside.

Our current vacancies:

Production Operative: Working in a warehouse, supporting the receiving of goods and dispatch or in refurbishment of equipment.

Transport Assistants (Gloucester): Working with a transport team or out on the road with the driver in a customer focused role. This role requires the individual to have the physical ability and dexterity to handle equipment.

Administrative Assistants (Gloucester): Working in an office environment, this role is customer focused and allows you to learn office-based skills and work in a small team.

 

Pay: You will be paid an hourly rate at National Living Wage.

Hours: You will be required to work 16 hours a week.

Location: Placements are located in Gloucestershire and Mitcheldean.

 

Support throughout your placement and beyond will be provided by Forwards Supported Employment Service ‘part of Gloucestershire County Council’s Employment and Skills Hub’ who provide support to people with health conditions and disabilities who are looking for work or help to retain their job. Working with both you and your employer Forwards will provide in work support and support for you after your placement finishes. 

Throughout your placement you will also receive help to develop your in-work and functional skills through the Adult Education Service.

How to apply

 

Acceptance is subject to a satisfactory Access to Work (ATW) assessment which your JobCentre Plus Work Coach or Forwards Employment Adviser can give you more information about.

 

For more information please contact:

Employment and Skills Hub

Telephone: 01452 425776

Email: employmentandskillshub@gloucestershire.gov.uk

Steve Bland Bio

An image of Job Broker Steve Bland. He has ginger and slightly curly hair and a full beard and moustache. He is wearing a white and blue stripy t-shirt.

My role as an Employment Adviser (GELS) is to support the ‘supported employees’ at GELS Healthcare with monthly Action Plans where we discuss how they are getting on in work and outside of work and also supporting any ambitions to move into alternative employment.

In addition to the Action Plans, I coordinate the recruitment process and support candidates into the GO FORWARDS placement.

My role is to provide 1:1 support to enable the employees to recognise their new skills and experience and to use this to progress into sustainable employment.

I’m really excited about working with the Go Forwards employees as I did a placement at GELS myself back in 2015 when I was struggling to find sustainable employment. I know how valuable an opportunity like this can be. My experience as a trainee at GELS provided a great stepping stone into employment and gave me valuable skills and experience which has allowed me to move into different roles within Gloucestershire County Council over the years.

I’m really happy to have come full circle and to now have the opportunity to use my personal experience and skills to help people who are in the position that I was.