Belonging Matters
Community Employment Partnership
Why is the Community Employment Partnership Important?
Belonging Matters has received funding to run a 12-month pilot project. The project is called the Community Employment Partnership. The objective of the project is to partner with service clubs and business groups to find meaningful employment for people with intellectual disabilities and Autism. To start with, we are working wth Rotary Club Melbourne Central to develop the project. Rotarians, the members of Rotary, are often business owners or know lots of business people.
The project is modelled on the Rotary Employment Partnership in Alberta, which has sustained outcomes for over 20 years. To find out more about how it works, you can watch this video:
Inclusion Alberta's Rotary Employment Partnership
About the Community Employment Partnership
Inclusive Employment Matters - Mike and Keyborough Golf Club.
Information for Employers & Businesses
Employees with intellectual disability and Autism bring many benefits to a workplace, yet they are not often considered for positions. The Community Employment Partnership, an initiative of Belonging Matters in collaboration with Rotary, aims to match the needs of businesses with suitable applicants and support successful employment outcomes for both businesses and individuals with disabilities. We currently have job seekers ready to fill a range of positions.
For more information Click Here
To view current job seekers Click here
Information for Rotarians & Rotary Clubs
Belonging Matters is running a pilot project, fully funded by the Department of Social Services, that will work together with business communities and networks to develop jobs for people with intellectual disabilities and Autism. As Rotary has a strong history of community service and Rotarians have vast business networks, it provides an ideal partner to change the poor employment outcomes for people with a disability. A partnership with Rotary also provides a foundation of shared values and ethics as exemplified by Rotary’s Four-Way Test.
For more information Click Here
Information for Participants
The project will work with up to 30 people with intellectual disability and Autism, who are between the age of 18 and 30 years and would like to be part of the pilot project. The project aims to match the person’s interests and skills with possible jobs. The jobs will be developed around each person while also meeting the needs of the business, and might include casual, part time or full-time work.
We will talk to you about your employment goals and suitability for the project. Participation in this project may depend on:
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Your interest in finding paid work (award wages)
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Your availability to work
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Capacity to travel to work or willingness to explore transport options
If your goals align with the project, our Community Employment Mentors will work alongside you to develop a work profile. This will include interviews with you, your family and others who know you well, as well as spending time with you other environments. We will assist you to develop a resume to give to potential employers. You can keep all of this information to use for further employment exploration. You will then go on the matching list for a job. Finding the right match may take a while and we cannot guarantee a job.
For more information Click Here
How Belonging Matters will help you find a job.
Once Belonging Matters has developed your work profile, we will connect with Rotary and individual workplaces and look for potential jobs.
Belonging Matters will:
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Recommend you to employers based on your individual skills and interests.
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Introduce you to the workplace and make sure you learn the skills and knowledge needed for the job.
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Act as a connection between your workplace and your family/support network.
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Help you find the right ongoing support if you need it.
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Be available to you and the business to discuss any ideas or issues.
Does it cost anything to be part of the project?
As this pilot-project is funded through the government for 12 months, there is no cost. During the project, Belonging Matters will investigate ways to keep the project going and how the NDIS might fund individual support.
Does everyone get a job?
We will work with all participants to increase their chances of finding open employment, however we cannot promise that everyone will find a job through the project. It is important to keep other employment avenues open to maximise your chances of finding work.
Contact
Whether you are a Participant, a Business, or a Rotarian, your Belonging Matters' point of contact is Patricia Wilson:
