Thirteen people attended a careers showcase and advice day aimed at supporting adults with mild learning disabilities and/or autism looking to work in the NHS.
This was the first inclusive recruitment and workforce roadshow to be organised by Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT) with the support of Essex Cares Limited (ECL), and Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust (MSEFT).
The roadshows celebrate the unique strengths of people who have learning disabilities or neurodivergent conditions such as dyslexia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and autism spectrum disorder.
ECL service users were invited along to the event at St Margaret’s Hospital, Epping, on Thursday 22 February to learn more about the job opportunities available at EPUT and gain some useful tips on job applications and preparing for interviews.
They also had the opportunity to apply for and participate in interviews for available jobs.
Matt Cope, HR business partner at EPUT, said: “It went really well and we were delighted to offer a job to one candidate.
“We also have invited four candidates back for a second interview and opened up work experience to all candidates that attended the day.
“Neurodiversity is a strength as organisations benefit from having a varied workforce of people with different skills, experiences and ways of thinking.
“Our roadshows aim to show people the careers available to them in the NHS and to help them feel confident about successfully applying for opportunities.”
Amy Whitmore is being supported by her work coach at ECL to find a job and was especially interested in the catering and porter roles.
She said: “I’m here because it sounded really interesting and I’m trying every opportunity I can to try and get a job because I would really like some more paid hours, more paid work, keep me busy and it’s a new industry to find out more about.”
Cheryl Perry, Senior Anchor Employment Support Officer at MSEFT, offered tips on preparing for interviews.
Cheryl supports people who are currently unemployed and helps them apply for work in the NHS and wider healthcare sector. This includes one-to-one support, help with job searching, applications, training, interview coaching and pre-employment checks.
She said: “The aim of the inclusive recruitment and workforce roadshows and my work is to overcome any barriers to employment and secure job roles.
“One of the elements of the recruitment process that people say makes them the most nervous is the interview, so I hope my tips and advice will be useful for candidates attending interviews in the future.”
Emma Young, Inclusive Employment Engagement Lead at ECL, said: “This was a unique opportunity to showcase the talented job seekers ECL represent, as well as highlighting the ‘wrap-around support’ the Inclusive Employment team offer.
“The event was an excellent example of successful collaborative working.”
More inclusive recruitment and workforce roadshows are being planned. Look out for more information over the coming months.
You can view job vacancies at EPUT on our Careers page.
Last week’s event supports the Trust’s strategic objectives to enable each other to be the best we can be and support our communities to thrive.
#WeCare – We want everyone who uses our services to have the best possible experience. Our care will be therapeutic, tailored to each patient’s individual needs, and focus on what they need to feel better.
Our five-year Strategic Plan sets out our priorities and commitments to deliver the highest quality and safest care possible.
