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Specialist Employability Support (SES) at RNC

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The Royal National College for the Blind (RNC) is the home of the SES contract for people with a visual impairment (VI).

Becoming an SES customer with RNC gives you access to the country’s leading training and facilities for job seekers with a visual impairment.

Whether you are partially sighted or fully blind, and whether your sight loss is recent or has always been part of your life, we have the expertise to support you in developing the skills you need to fi nd the job you want.

Your SESYour RNC

No two customers are the same, which means no two SES journeys will be the same.

The RNC SES package is tailored to meet your needs. Support is available in your own area through our regional suppliers, listed in the back of this leafl et. Alternatively you can undertake all or part of your training at RNC in Hereford where you will benefi t from round the clock support to embed your skills and get you ready for work.

This means you can choose the amount and type of support you need and receive it in the venue best suited to you.

It startswith you!

Specialist Employability Support (SES) at RNC

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Your Work Coach refers

you to RNC SES

First contact: A telephone call with RNC to discuss your priorities and interests

Initial assessment: With RNC to discuss your needs and what training and support would be included in your Individual Support Plan

Detailed assessment: Finalising your Individual Support Plan by agreeing your employment goals and programme, pairing up with your Employment Advisor

Your support plan: Delivery of your Individual Support Plan at RNC, in your home area or through a combination of both. This will include any training you have identifi ed as well as regular discussions with your Employment Advisor, work-specifi c skills such

as application writing and interview tips

SES Main Provision:About six months of intensive support

which can include mobility, lifeskills and retraining for a new career

Support in to employment:Ongoing discussions with your

Employment Advisor until you are confi dent in your new place of work

Support on to Work Choice or Work Programme

to help you into employment

SES Start Back:A short programme of a few weeks

or months focused on job search and interview skills

Your journey starts here!

Looking for short term? Looking for long term?

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“The training was brilliant; the encouragement absolutely priceless. The whole environment was uplifting and helped me regain my belief and self-esteem.”

SES Main Provisionand SES Start Back

RNC SES is not like other employment programmes. A team of experts in visual impairment and employment will work with you every step of the way to help you fi nd a permanent job.

We will help you develop the skills you need to succeed, put you in touch with employers who recognise what you have to offer and support you every step of the way. During your Initial Assessment we will discuss your experience to date, the barriers you have found in seeking employment and the type of work you want to do. We will then recommend either our SES Main provision or SES Start Back programme.

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The programme will typically last for about six months and most customers will stay at RNC in Hereford on a residential basis while completing the training, with accommodation and subsidised food provided. Our campus is fully accessible and guide dogs are welcome.

The programme is best suited for those seeking an intensive programme of support including techniques for living with a visual impairment such as mobility and living skills training alongside practical employment training.

You will have the opportunity to try a range of assistive technology to fi nd the right working medium for your personal needs, which you can then use when you enter employment.

You may also want to consider training in a new fi eld through one of our specialist vocational training courses, including the opportunity to undertake hands-on work in a real-life setting to enhance your CV and employability.

Your SES Main Provision programme may also include support in your home area to help you to embed your new skills and stay in touch as you start your new life.

This programme will normally last between a few weeks and two months and most customers will complete it in their home area with support from one of our specialist delivery organisations. It is best suited to those who are confi dent in their skills and experience but who need help in fi nding the right job.

With an emphasis on employment skills, you will work closely with an Employment Adviser who will help you to research jobs that match your skills and experience, make strong applications and succeed at interview.

We will help you to fi nd work experience placements to strengthen your CV then work with your employer to give you the best chance of succeeding in your new role.

Whether you choose SES Main Provision or SES Start Back we will work with you to design a fl exible package using experts at RNC and in your home area to help you achieve your goals.

Main Provision Start Back

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Job hunting skills• Finding vacancies that match your skills and

researching companies• Writing a compelling application form and CV• Understanding your rights as a person with

a visual impairment• Interview skills – making the right

impression first time• How to succeed in your new job and build a

relationship with your employer

Vocational training and skillsCourses designed to prepare you for a career in specific areas including:

• NVQ Business Administration• NVQ Instructing Exercise and Fitness or

Personal Training• ITEC Holistic Massage, Reflexology, On-

Site Chair Massage or Sports Massage• Cisco IT Essentials Compti A+• Cisco CCNA 1 & 2• Audio Media Production providing the skills

and techniques to work in the media industry

VI skillsWe understand that as a person with a visual impairment you face particular employment barriers. On the RNC SES programme you develop the skills to overcome these including:

• Mobility – travelling to and from interviews and work by foot or public transport

• Independence skills – such as personal safety and workplace adaptations

• Assistive technology – finding the right hardware and software for you

General employment skillsThe type of skills required for most modern employment such as:

• Using Microsoft Office in the workplace• Administration skills including reception,

customer service and producing documents

Please note not all options will be available in your home area. Some courses may require a minimum level of IT knowledge and previous experience or qualifications within the field.

What support and training is available?There are four main categories of support and training:

Case Study: Matt, 29Studied at RNC: NVQ Level 2 Business Admin, BTEC Level 1 Braille, Independent Living Skills

After a six month training course at RNC Matt took up a supported Employment Position (TEP) at Burghill Golf Club. He now works in the Club Pro shop advising customers, stock taking and scheduling bookings for tee times. Matt told us “It’s really good to be working again after a few years of looking for employment. I’m enjoying using my knowledge of golf, together with the business skills I learnt at RNC.”

“ The College gives you the confidence and support to help you get back on your feet and into the working environment. I’d recommend it to anyone.”

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Although SES is a new programme, RNC has decades of experience in supporting people with a visual impairment tofi nd employment.

“ It was the primary focus of RNC that really impressed me – helping people with visual impairments. The attitude of staff is genuine. They want you to do well.”

SES Supporters

We have partnered with 3SC, who specialise in building nationwide networks of expertise to work on programmes like SES. Some of the 3SC organisations helping to deliver the RNC SES programme in your local area are:

• Action on Disability and Work UK

• Beacon Centre for the Blind

• Bootstrap Company Ltd

• Breakthrough UK Ltd

• Destiny Enterprise Solutions CIC

• Disability Information Bureau

• ELITE Supported Employment Agency Ltd

• Forth Sector Scotland

• Groundwork

• Henshaws Society for Blind People

• Lancashire County Council

• Leonard Cheshire Disability

• Merthyr Tydfi l Institute for the Blind

• PossAbilities CIC

• QED UK

• RNIB Scotland

• Tai Calon Community Housing

• The Rehab Group

• Vi-Ability Educational Programme

“ After three brilliant months I have discovered a lot about myself. I have proved to myself that being 50+ does not mean you’re on the scrap heap.”

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You can find out more about RNC and SES by visiting our website at

www.rnc.ac.uk

Equality and Diversity at RNCRNC welcomes a diverse population of students and staff. We aim to ensure that our college environment is free from prejudice and harassment. In all aspects of delivery and employment, no individual or group will be discriminated against on the grounds of gender, marital status, gender reassignment, age, disability, race, religion and belief or sexual orientation. For further

information on our policies on Equal Opportunities and Diversity, please contact us or visit our website: www.rnc.ac.uk

Company limited by guarantee no. 2367626. Registered charity no. 1000388. The information provided is correct at time of printing. RNC Copyright 2015

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The Royal National College for the Blind, Venns Lane, Hereford, HR1 1DT

Telephone: 01432 376 371 email: info@rnc.ac.uk

This leaflet is available in other formats including braille, large print and audio. Please contact us on 01432 376 621 to request any of these.