Supported Employment Service from Optalis

Last updated: 09/06/2023

Supported Employment Service Optalis supports vulnerable adults and transition age young people to gain the necessary skills to access paid or voluntary work, education and training.  The service also enables people to retain their employment or return to work after a period of illness.

We are a friendly and confidential service that recognises the issues that people may face when looking for or returning to work or retaining their employment. Whether you need an Information, Advice and Guidance meeting, help to update your CV or have more substantial barriers to overcome, the support package we provide will be individually tailored to meet your needs. Supported Employment Service has over 20 years’ experience in supporting people into work.

Services provided:

  • Employment Support
  • Support to update your CV
  • Job Coaching
  • Support in the workplace
  • Information, Advice and Guidance
  • Vocational Profiling
  • Travel Training
  • Support for Employers
  • Disability Awareness Training  
  • One to one support

Clients can access sessions on confidence building and assertiveness training.  They can also attend our weekly Job Clubs that cover a full range of job search skills and advice on benefits, debt management, voluntary and educational opportunities.

The Job Club provides clients with IT access and local newspapers for job searching. They are facilitated by staff that recognise and understand the issues that may be faced by someone returning to work after a period of absence.

The team also includes staff with extensive experience and qualifications in working with Acquired Brain Injury, Learning Disabilities, Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Physical Disability, Mental Health Issues.

Our specialist team also works with clients who are covered under the disability provisions of the Equality Act (2010), clients with substance misuse issues and offenders.

Full list of training qualifications available.

Who to contact

Telephone
0118 977 8600
E-mail
employmentservice@optalis.org
Website
Optalis Supported Employment webpage

Other Details

Costs

Details
Wokingham residents are entitled to a free service if they meet the eligibility criteria.

Optalis also support people living in Reading, Newbury, Theale, Bracknell Slough, and surrounding areas but this will be at a cost either through a person’s Personal budget, direct payments, self-funding or through Access to Work.

Availability

Age Ranges
Referral Details

Available Mon to Thurs 9.00am to 5.00pm, Fri 9.00am to 4.30pm

Minimum duration of visit: 30 minutes

West Berkshire Council do not promote or endorse any of the services listed in this Directory. For more information on this please read our disclaimer.

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