Scope partner wins Employer of the Year award

The Whitehouse Hotel in Llandudno has won the Employability Related Services Association's (ERSA) Small or Medium Employer of the Year award. The hotel has been working with Scope, which delivers the UK government's Work Choice initiative in partnership with employment and skills experts Working Links, to fill vacancies.

The Work Choice programme

The Work Choice programme is designed to help long-term unemployed, disabled people into suitable, sustainable work through tailored support and training. Working Links delivers the programme across Wales, as well as in four areas of England.

Over the last year, the hotel has given 10 disabled people work experience opportunities, and seven have been taken on as permanent staff members. All have either physical impaurments or mental health conditions, including Tourette's Syndrome, Asperger Syndrome and autism.

Tailored employment support

Scope's team has built up an excellent working relationship with the hotel to understand the business' needs and to ensure it only provides customers who would fit into the team and working environment. The team works closely with and provide tailored support to the candidates to ensure they are readied for the roles.

Proprietor Paul Langshaw said: "It's about focusing on people's abilities rather than disabilities. I'm generally looking for people who have a good work ethic, those who are hardworking, dedicated and flexible.

"New recruits take on a lot of different roles and responsibilities here. One minute they may be on reception and the next behind the bar or in the kitchen so they need to be up for being part of a team. The support we get from Scope and Working Links is perfect. We wouldn't be able to do all this without them working alongside us."

Scope continues to support the successful candidates, even after they've started work – its progression adviser Lisa Sparkes has even worked shifts alongside the new recruits to help them work more effectively.

One of the recent recruits is 19-year-old Christina Jobson from Dwygyfylchi, who is affected by vasovagal syncope – a condition relating to the nervous system. She said: "After leaving school I was unemployed for about four months before I was helped into this job. I always wanted to work in hospitality so it's great to be given a chance – it really is a dream job."

Overcoming barriers to work

Ian Thomas, Director for Scope in Wales, said: "Our work with Paul and the Whitehouse Hotel tells you everything you need to know about getting disabled people into work. Disabled people want to work but face a host of barriers. A lack of skills, confidence and experience, a shortage of flexible roles and even negative attitudes from some employers mean only about 50% of disabled people are in work.

"But if we can work with employers like Paul who are willing to give disabled people an opportunity and at the same time give disabled people the confidence and backing they need to take those first difficult steps into work then we know that we know that those barriers come tumbling down.

"This is a real success story. And we'd call on any other employers willing to think about what disabled can, rather than can't do, to get in touch."

Marian Roberts, partnerships and provisions co-ordinator at Working Links, said: "Paul is an outstanding example of a truly exceptional employer. He is willing to go the extra mile – not for his own benefit, but for the continued development of people with disabilities. Paul has an open door policy and people with no previous work experience are given the opportunity to flourish.

"In an unstable economic climate, where's Paul's business needs are a priority, he demonstrates his skills in maintaining a successful business while creating exceptional employment opportunities."