Employment Plus – helping people with disability, injury or illness
The numbers tell a powerful story. Six thousand people on the caseload. A program that grew fourfold in a single day. A team of about 150 staff. Since launching in November last year, The Salvation Army’s Employment Plus Inclusive Employment Australia (IEA) specialist program has become a powerful driver of change, helping people whose disability, injury or illness is affecting their capacity to work find sustainable employment.
In her ongoing series on Employment Plus, Salvos Online journalist LERISSE SMITH spoke with Richard Wingrove, General Manager of Operations Specialist Programs, about why building a positive, inclusive culture is central to creating life-changing employment pathways.
“They’re the heroes ... we’re privileged to walk alongside them on their employment journey.”
For Richard Wingrove, who leads Employment Plus’ Inclusive Employment Australia (IEA) and other specialist programs, those words capture the heart of the program that has grown into the largest in his portfolio, a specialist disability employment program centred on possibility, inclusion, self-belief, determination – and transformation.
“The transformation happens with the person by the person,” he says. “It’s a big success for us to grow so much in a competitive process. Our caseload grew from 1500 to 6000 when we transitioned from the previous program to IEA – an outstanding tender result which shows that the government (Department of Social Services) trusts The Salvation Army’s Employment Plus as a high-quality provider of (specialist) employment services.”
The program’s geographic footprint spans multiple communities across Australia, including northern Tasmania, metropolitan Melbourne, northern and western Sydney, the Hunter, and Brisbane’s southern suburbs.
At its core, the IEA program aims to support people living with disability, injury or illness to secure sustainable employment. Participants can be as young as 16, with the majority coming from older age groups.
Rarely is the road back into work a straight path.
People in the program typically manage complex lives. On average, an IEA participant will face eight barriers.
A person may enter the program because of a mental health condition, a musculoskeletal issue, or another disability, but often other challenges are also present. Alongside disability, injury or illness, many participants face additional challenges that can make finding work even harder, including insecure housing, long-term unemployment, or low educational attainment.
“These are people who have a lot going against them in terms of a competitive jobs market with every job a competition,” Richard says. “You’re always competing against other candidates.”
This is where Employment Plus’ employer relationships play a critical role in creating opportunities and opening pathways to work, he adds.
“It’s a really important part of our service because employers can carry significant uncertainty or concern around someone who declares that they have a disability,” reflects Richard.
“It might be that they want to help that person, that their heart says, oh, I really feel like giving this guy a chance. But then concerns can arise, such as ‘Will I say the wrong thing?’, ‘How will my existing staff respond?’ or concerns about attendance or a future Workcover claim. And so, a lot of the work that we’re doing is to help employers feel comfortable and know that they will be supported when employing someone who has a disability of some sort.
“That includes working with the employer around an adjustment that might be necessary to a role to help make the candidate we’re proposing for them flourish in that role.”
An example of an adjustment might be a sit-stand desk or flexibility in attendance and working hours where prolonged sitting is problematic.
“Our strategy is to say, ‘You’ve got a business with workforce needs, and we’ve got a great solution for you,” the General Manager explains. “We will then say the solution needs some accommodations – for example, a lady with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) who has had all this experience and particularly excited about this role because it’s an organisation that has these values or does these things.”
The impact can often extend beyond the job itself to workplace culture.
Richard explains that when a person with a disability joins a team, it can change the way people think about inclusion.
“Employers often tell us that employing someone with a disability has positively changed the tone of their workplace,” he says. “It shows colleagues that someone with a different set of needs can be accommodated and make a meaningful contribution. A big part is advocating to the employer and negotiating differences, but also marketing that candidate based on their unique qualities.”
A strong focus is centred on creating workplaces where people are valued for their skills, experience, and the contribution each person brings.
And beyond the immediate outcome of securing a role, employment can lay the foundation for a more secure future, helping IEA clients keep a home, build stability, and avoid further difficulties.
“It’s like an early intervention – a stitch in time and saving nine,” Richard explains. “It’s such a positive space to work in because we see how employment can contribute to mitigating other problems such as addictions, family violence and homelessness.”
The program’s growing impact is reflected in the number of people finding a pathway back into work, with between 40 and 50 per cent of those who flow through the service securing employment over the year.
Beyond the numbers, the program’s achievements are also reflected in the voices and experiences of participants. Its participant Advisory Group and fortnightly surveys provide positive feedback and help the team refine its service approach.
For the General Manager, positive client feedback reinforces that his work is more than just a role; it’s a purpose-driven mission.
“As we all know, The Salvation Army is all about changing lives with the love of Jesus,” he says. “Through this program, we can deliver on this vision by helping people with complex barriers secure rewarding employment. For me, it’s the ‘life in abundance’ of John 10:10.”
For more information on IEA, click here
Click on the links below to read the stories of three Employment Plus success stories: Jeff overcomes barriers
