Member Case Study: How the Action Group’s ‘Real Jobs’ service builds empowerment and understanding

In the run-up to the Scottish Government’s Budget announcement on 4 December and beyond, we’re sharing positive stories from our members about how their services help people live their life independently and thrive in their communities. In this short case study we profile The Action Group’s Real Jobs service, demonstrating its success – and how further investment would allow it to have an even greater impact.

Action Group’s Real Jobs service enables supported people to access or maintain employment, education or training in Edinburgh City Council.

Through this service, the Action Group has been working with a client for the past few years who has a senior position within the NHS. The client experienced a traumatic brain injury (TBI) in adulthood, which had a major, significant impact on their ability to live an independent life. Her recovery was remarkable: from a Glasgow Coma Scale 3, she was able to rehabilitate to a place where her disability is hidden.

However, this comes with its own issues in the workplace: a lack of understanding of hidden disabilities. The individual found their managers made regular assumptions that any issues at work are related to their support needs. Through working with an Employment Advisor, Action Group not only ensured the individual sustained their role but also that they made strides towards improving understanding within their workplace.

Both colleagues and management have embraced training on TBI and neurodiversity, and collaboratively contributed to a disability passport, further empowering colleagues to identify warning signs, and knowing the right intervention strategies.

Three changes that could most improve the impact of this service for people:

• More funding – to employ more employment advisors, reducing current caseloads and having more time to spend with each client
• More understanding and support for employers to help them realise the potential in employing people with disabilities
• More recognition and awareness of our service, who we can help, and what we can help with.