Working with us as a Statutory Referral Organisation

Working as a prime contractor in partnership with the DWP and Jobcentre plus, Shaw Trust is delivering the Work Choice programme. As part of this programme Statutory Referral Organisations will be able to refer their customers to give them the support they need to get into sustainable work.

We wish to develop our network of local Statutory Referral Organisations (SROs) to further embed our services within local communities and to ensure the widest range of referral routes for potential customers.

What is a Statutory Referral Organisation?

A Statutory Referral Organisation (SRO) is an organisation which will be authorised to act in partnership with Shaw Trust in order to directly introduce suitable disabled people to the Work Choice programme.

These will be organisations that provide a statutory service that helps disabled people. These organisations will have been commissioned by, or has a contract with, either:

a local authority; or
a Primary Care Trust; or
a local education authority.

And acts on behalf of them to support disabled people with the highest support needs to consider and move into employment, particularly those with learning disabilities and mental health conditions.

It is anticipated that this will be particularly helpful for people who might not visit or contact a Jobcentre Plus office and therefore would not normally come into contact with DEA services.

Key Principles of the Work Choice Programme

This new programme takes forward improvements to the suite of specialist disability employment provision by replacing the existing Work Preparation and WORKSTEP programmes and the Job Introduction Scheme. The key principles to be observed for Work Choice are:

a greater focus on those who need specialist support
less prescription and greater flexibility
better links between elements of provision
better consistency and quality of provision
provision for all types of disability
more opportunity for the customer to exercise choice and control
a greater focus on job entries
improved support for people in either employment or self employment
improved progression to unsupported employment
a greater emphasis on achieving potential within longer-term supported employment.

Suitable Customers for Work Choice

Customers who experience complex work-related support needs arising primarily from disability; AND have requirements in work which cannot immediately be overcome through workplace adjustments which are required under the Equalities Act 2010 and/or by Access to Work support; AND need support in work as well as help with finding work, AND cannot be helped through other Department for Work and Pensions programmes; AND following Module One, expect to able to work for a minimum of 16 hours per week.

What to do next

If you feel your organisation may be interested in working with Shaw Trust as an SRO we would be pleased to hear from you. For further information you can call or email us:

Contact Shaw Trust Direct: Tel: 0300 303 3111
Email: workchoice@shaw-trust.org.uk

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