Transitioning to mainstream employment can be exciting yet challenging, especially for people with disability. One tool that can make this shift smoother is a well-designed support plan.
What is a support plan?
A disability support plan is a document that details any necessary accommodations or support you might need to do your job well.
Support plans are invaluable for both individuals with disability who are starting a new job, and the employers hiring them.
Benefits for employees
For employees, these plans offer tailored guidance and accommodations that can ease the transition into the workplace, helping you navigate new roles and responsibilities with greater confidence and independence.
This personalised support ensures you have the tools and adjustments needed to perform in your new role, keep your job and progress in your career.
Benefits for employers
For employers, a support plan can help an employee settle into or maintain their job long-term. A good support plan takes both the employee and the employer’s needs into account. Having a proactive approach prevents misunderstandings and helps create a welcoming and supportive environment.
Employers should keep a copy of the support plan in the employee’s HR file for future reference. It can be reviewed at agreed-upon intervals.
Effectively supporting people with disability to join and thrive in your organisation builds a more diverse and supportive workforce, which can lead to improved job satisfaction and retention for all employees.
What a disability support plan typically includes:
- Workplace modifications and special equipment, if required
- Likes and personal interests
- Motivations and goals
- Dislikes and triggers
- Strengths
- Development opportunities
- Other observations
Do you need a support plan in your new job?
If you have a disability or a health condition that might affect your ability to perform certain aspects of your job, it’s important to consider whether a disability support plan would be beneficial. Here’s how to determine if you might need one:
- Assess your needs: Consider if there are specific adjustments or support that would help you perform your job more effectively. For instance, Hayley, a Jigsaw graduate who has hearing loss, received a support plan that included providing her with a vibrating pager for alerts and ensuring she had access to written meeting notes.
- Understand your rights: Familiarise yourself with your rights under disability and employment laws.
- Communicate: If you believe you need accommodations, discuss this with your Jigsaw transitions coordinator. They can work with you to develop a support plan that addresses your needs. If you’re not a trainee at Jigsaw, reach out to your HR department to discuss creating a support plan.
- Evaluate the environment: If your new job environment or duties are significantly different from what you’ve done before, or if there are potential barriers, a support plan might be particularly useful.
Support plans at Jigsaw
At Jigsaw, before you transition into a mainstream job, your transitions coordinator will work with you to write your support plan, asking you questions and including their own observations about your work style and preferences in the workplace. Your key support people are also involved, including your Jigsaw trainers and zone manager.
Are you an employer that would benefit from Jigsaw’s expertise in transitioning people with disability into mainstream employment, including how to create an effective support plan? Contact: connect@jigsawaustralia.com.au