Supported employment - Deaf Stepping Stones

The Deaf Stepping Stones Project aims to work with 150 Deaf Londoners over a two year period who are not working. The focus will be on Deaf, Hard of Hearing or Deafblind clients with moderate to severe Mental Health and Learning Disabilities, concentrating on enhancing their quality of life through improvement of their social and living skills. In addition, teaching them how to manage their condition in the workplace and encouraging small steps towards part-time employment.

The Deaf Stepping Stones project will find employers that are happy to have these clients placed within their companies to perform various types of work

The clients' placement will be for a period of 8 weeks, timings will be agreed with each employer. The clients will initially work between two and ten hours a week building towards sustaining at least eight, developing skills and personal coping strategies.

To achieve this aim each client will require assistance from a 'buddy'. The 'buddy' will be required to give support to the client within agreed boundaries. The level of support will differ dependent on the needs, the mental health or severity of learning disability. Each 'buddy' will receive training to perform this role.

Each client will be assessed and individual plans formalised. After assessment the level of support will be determined by the Deaf Stepping Stones Project team.

Regular feedback will be required from the 'buddy' with appropriate support and supervision being given by the Deaf Stepping Stones Project team. 

For more information, contact Herbert Klein.

Fax: 0208 772 3242
Textphone/minicom: 0208 772 3241

Stepping Stones Project,
Falcon Mews
46 Oakmead Road
Balham, London
SW12 9SJ