Employment Support The Direct Employment Team (DET) specialise in getting people with health conditions and disabilities into employment. The team is made up of Employment Development Officers (EDO’s) and Support Officers. Each EDO works with clients on an individual basis to overcome barriers that the individual has to overcome including benefits, housing, training, condition management and anything else which would help the individual gain employment. Each action is agreed with the client beforehand so the client remains in control and makes the decisions themselves. Support Officers will help clients through these barriers that can often be a difficult time, ensuring that they are able to spend time helping the client to overcome challenges. As the barriers are broken down the EDO will focus on the opportunities for the client to start looking at where they would like to work, who they would want to work for and factors around the employment. Many clients are nervous about entering or re-entering the labour market, one way that this can be overcome is looking at placements and voluntary work which will build up the client’s confidence in their skills and abilities. Support Workers will sit with clients and help them to search for jobs, complete CV’s, conduct mock interviews and fill out application forms. DET work closely with a number of businesses and will contact companies directly on the client’s behalf. Ensuring that people are able to stay in their job is just as important to DET as getting the job initially. EDO’s will talk to the client and the company on a regular basis to ensure things are running smoothly and any difficulties can be sorted out at an early stage. DET will advise companies of best practice and how the company can access further financial support to help with any alterations needed. Where necessary Support Worker will support clients through difficult periods by supporting them while the client is at work. The Mitre Team are dedicated to working with people who are or have previously suffered with mental ill health. Made up of fully qualified staff with many years experience in the field of mental health, the team are able to offer help and support to their clients. Each client is treated as an individual who makes the decisions about their future. The Employment Support Officers (EDO’s) and Support Workers will discuss fully with clients the range of options available at each stage of the process. The Mitre team is fully committed to enabling individuals with the information, advice and guidance needed to make the right decisions for them. EDO’s and development will help individuals to overcome barriers that prevent the person getting and staying in employment. Issues can include benefits, finances, housing, medication, training, condition management and anything that clients perceive as an obstacle. As the barriers are broken down the EDO will focus on the opportunities for the client to start looking at where they would like to work, who they would want to work for and factors around the employment. Many clients are nervous about entering or re-entering the labour market, one way that this can be overcome is looking at placements and voluntary work which will build up the client’s confidence in their skills and abilities. Support Worker will sit with clients and help them to search for jobs, complete CV’s, conduct mock interviews and fill out application forms. Mitre has a range of employers that it works closely with and will also work with clients to contact appropriate businesses on behalf of the client. However a number of clients prefer employers not to know about Mitre’s involvement, this is the client’s choice and will be respected. Mitre understand that the hardest part of gaining employment for people who suffer with Mental Health is maintaining the employment. To help with this Mitre provides support to ease this process dependent upon the wants of the client. This can range from meeting with the client and the company on a regular basis to resolve any difficulties to being a supportive voice on the end of the phone.