DISC Employment Initiatives

DISC has a series of projects operating under the Connect umbrella which differ in geographical areas and eligibility routes. Connect focuses primarily on providing intensive outreach support to those engaged in government and community based employment initiatives. The service offers one to one outreach support to those individuals who face various barriers which may be excluding them from the workplace or preventing them from taking up training and/or further education opportunities. Tailored support packages are agreed and devised to enable the service user to work towards their employment, training and education aspirations. Our key objectives are:-

To identify the needs of those who have the greatest difficulty engaging with employment, training and education.
To identify opportunities to develop the model with other groups within the Welfare to Work Agenda, ie Incapacity Benefit recipients, mental health issues, lone parents and those that are economically inactive.
To work with the DATS, substance misuse agencies and Job CentrePlus to provide an exit strategy from through care and aftercare, working within the models of care system.
To develop and expand on existing provision for those with alcohol related issues.
To work to overcome cultural and traditional negative attitudes towards employment, training and education by providing positive opportunities and role models.
To work to change the attitudes of employers and providers towards some of our clients who often face discriminated.
To support clients in employment who have issues that may lead to inability to maintain their employment.
To provide information, advice and guidance services.
To work in other areas where our mission statement can be realised ie PCTs, Private Sector organisations and GPs.

Download
Connect Specialist Advisor Postcard [52kb]
Connect Specialist Advisor Leaflet [92kb]

Contact
Connect (Durham)
Phoenix House, Central Avenue, Newton Aycliffe, DL5 5QH
Tel: 01325 - 313 888
Fax: 01325 - 307 810

Connect (Gateshead & South Tyneside)
Suite B4, Design Works, William Street, Felling, Gateshead, NE10 0JP
Tel: 0191 - 440 4330
Fax: 0191 - 440 4345