SURREY, ENGLAND / AGILITYPR.NEWS / November 29, 2024 / Press release
November 2024
Care provider celebrates ‘Excellent’ in Supported Employment
A Surrey-based social care provider is celebrating after being named “Large Supported Employment Team of the Year” by the British Association for Supported Employment (BASE) - and being rated ‘Excellent’.
Surrey Choices helps more than 750 disabled and neurodivergent adults and young people to find and sustain work and volunteering. Across Surrey, 11.8 per cent of adults with learning disabilities are in paid employment, compared to the national average of 4.8 per cent (Adult Social Care Outcomes Framework).
Following an official assessment, BASE reported that Surrey Choices’ “results are good and in some areas better than the national average” and highlighted that jobseekers are supported through training courses, job clubs, CV writing and individual support.
The report also highlighted how jobs are secured with competitive pay and benefits and that expert teams at Surrey Choices are knowledgeable and prompt when reacting to requests for additional support from employers. The report also celebrates that jobseekers are encouraged to develop social and workplace skills, with evidence of friendships being developed and jobseekers enjoying workplace social events.
Surrey Choices believes that everyone has the right to work if they want to, and its entire EmployAbility team lives and works by that ethos - highlighted by their latest win at the prestigious 2024 BASE Awards.
Louise Hayes, Senior Operations Manager at Surrey Choices, said:
“We are thrilled to receive an ‘Excellent’ rating from the British Association for Supported Employment. This recognition reflects the hard work and dedication of our team and the meaningful partnerships we’ve built with local employers.
“At Surrey Choices, we’re committed to supporting each jobseeker’s journey to independence by providing personalised guidance, practical skills and the encouragement to grow both professionally and socially. It’s incredibly rewarding to see our jobseekers not only secure fulfilling roles with competitive pay but also develop friendships and confidence along the way. We look forward to continuing this impactful work and helping more people lead enriched, independent lives.”
Laura Davis, CEO of BASE and Inclusive Trading CIC said:
“It was a great honour to present the award to the Surrey Choices EmployAbility team. The team was selected for its continued innovation, personalised approaches and applying a zero-rejection philosophy to all they do. I would like to congratulate the whole team on this well-deserved award as they continue to deliver ‘Excellent’-rated services to the residents across Surrey, promoting our shared mission that careers must be for all.
BASE is the membership association for organisations that provide, or have an interest in, specialist employment support for people with a disability or other economic disadvantage.
It campaigns actively on behalf of disabled, neurodivergent and disadvantaged jobseekers and the organisations that support them, to promote better policy, better delivery and better funding of support. BASE completes quality assessments according to a particular framework to evaluate the effectiveness of the support organisations give job seekers.
Surrey Choices, is a social care organisation in Surrey, offering support services for people with disabilities, older adults and those with additional support needs. It helps individuals lead fulfilling, independent lives by providing tailored support, meaningful activities and skill-building opportunities.
To find out more about Surrey Choices, visit www.surreychoices.com
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS
For more information on this release, please contact Lizzie Grover-Hinds at Conteur at lizzie@conteur.co.uk or by calling 01905 670881.
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