Looking for work or thinking about changing jobs can be confusing. It can be hard to find information that is right for you. Knowing where to look and who to ask for help can be overwhelming.

The NDIA has developed a guide to help you find the right information.  This is known as the Guide for understanding employment supports.

 

What is the Guide to understanding employment supports?

The Guide to understanding employment supports was designed to help you understand the different employment supports available. It explains the support options available to you depending on your work goals.

The information in the guide is based on research, and other evidence about the different types of employment supports available. It can help you if you have never worked before or haven’t worked in a long time.

The guide is aimed at outcomes for people living with autism, intellectual disabilities, and psychosocial disabilities, and people with other disabilities may also find them helpful.

 

What does the guide for understanding employment supports cover?

The guide provides information to help you understand each of the six employment support categories available.

Each employment support section includes how the NDIS can support you, a list of service providers and links to other support options. They also offer suggestions of what questions you might like to ask, specific to your circumstances.

They also include information specific to each of the employment supports, as follows:

 

Developing a pathway to work

  • What you should think about when creating a pathway to work.
  • Who you can talk to when starting your pathway to work.
  • The different support options available to you including Individualised Placement Supports and Bridging programs.

 

Moving from school to work

  • The importance of getting a job as soon as possible after leaving school.
  • The people you can talk to about moving from school to work and how they may be able to help you.
  • A list of support options available to you when you are moving from school to work.

 

Getting a job

  • The benefits of getting a job.
  • Who you can talk to when thinking about getting a job and how they may be able to help.
  • The support options available when you’re ready to look at getting a job.

 

Thinking about self-employment

  • Why you should think about keeping your job.
  • Who you can talk to about keeping your job.
  • A list of options available to you when thinking about keeping your job.

 

Changing jobs

  • A list of things to think about before changing jobs.
  • Who you can talk with for support when you’re thinking of changing your job.
  • The support options available to you, such as Individual Placement Supports.
  • Ways the NDIS can support you in changing jobs and some questions you may want to ask them.

 

You can access the guide on the NDIS website. You can also access an easy read document here.