Hertsmere Borough Council

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Employment/Training

Information and links to organisations that offer advice and support on employment and training issues. Included are many organisations for disabled people and those with other impairments.

Disability Employment and Training Services

Email : feedback-disability@dwp.gsi.gov.uk
Benefit enquiry line : 0800 882 200

83 Victoria Street, London, SW1H 0HW
Telephone: 020 7802 0300
Fax: 020 7802 0301
Email:  fpld@fpld.org.uk

Mental Health Employment and Training Services

83 Victoria Street, London, SW1H 0HW
Telephone: 020 7802 0300
Fax : 020 7802 0301
Email: mhf@mhf.org.uk

General Employment and Training Organisations

Telephone: 080 800 13219
Fax : 07766 413219

Connexions is a new service for all 13 to 19 year olds. It aims to help young people make the most of their potential, whatever their ability or background. They offer information and advice on a variety of issues that affect young people and have personal advisors who are professionally qualified to offer the best advice and support on employment and training opportunities.

Connexions also work closely with local employers and offer a job placing service for 16 - 19 year olds. You'll find Connexions Personal Advisers in your school or college or you can visit the centre at the above address.

Telephone: 0800 100 900

Help with Access to Work

Telephone: 0800 137 177

Fax: 0800 435 550

New Deal for Disabled People is for those getting a disability or health-related benefit who want to work but need some help and support along the way.

nextstep Hertfordshire

nextstep is the information and advice service for adults over 20 living and working in Hertfordshire. They offer services to improve career prospects, get a qualification or make the most of your job.

Click here to visit the nextstep Hertfordshire website.

Caring and Employment

Almost two thirds of working age Carers are in some sort of paid employment. A third of those work full-time and provide care for more than 20 hours per week. Combining work and caring can be difficult. The Carer on occasion may have to take time off work to look after the person in need when an emergency occurs. The Government has acknowledged the importance of the Carer being able to do this and at the same time have their rights to employment protected.

The Right to Have Time Off

The Employment Relations Act of 15/12/1999 gave Carers in paid work the right to have time off to deal with a family emergency. Carers cannot now by law be penalised by their employer for taking time off so long as that time off is fully justified. Further information on 'time off' can be found at: www.dti.gov.uk/er/timeoff.htm

Work-Life Balance Campaign

In March 2000 the Prime Minister launched the government's Work-Life Balance campaign. This was to encourage employers to recognise the benefits to their organisation of flexible working arrangements and the responsibility that Carers have out of work.

The campaign is for everyone, whether you are an employer, Carer, parent or jobseeker. It is about changing working patterns so that everyone can find a way to help them combine work with 'out of work' responsibilities. More information can be found at http://www.dti.gov.uk/work-lifebalance

Promoting the Inclusion of Carers into Employment

Carers Online report on an 'Action for Carers and Employment' National UK project whose aim is to promote Carers inclusion into the labour market?

Nearly three million Carers juggle paid work and care - that is one in seven people in the workforce - and many have to reduce the hours they work or give up work altogether. Keeping a job, or returning to a job when caring has ended can mean facing significant barriers such as:

More information about the project and its aims are available.

The main Carers Online site is available by using the link

The Princess Royal Trust for Carers

This site offers information and ideas to help with the balance between being employed and caring?

Education for people with Special Needs

What are Special Needs?

A person has special needs when they have:

Special Needs and Education

In September 2002 the Disability Discrimination Act Part IV came into effect making it illegal for disabled children and students in education to be less favourably treated. Providers of education have to make sure where reasonably possible that disabled learners are no longer disadvantaged. The law covers all areas of education such as schools, colleges, universities, adult education and youth services.

Literature and advice for disabled people, parents and others is available free from the Disability Rights Commission

Telephone: 08457 622 633

Fax: 08457 622 644

Email: enquiry@drc-gb.org

Or you can download the information from their website.

Children and Young People

If you are caring for a child or young person with Special Educational Needs, you can get help from your Local Education Authority.

Adults

There are a number of places where adults with special needs can get education:

Age Concern

Age Concern offer recreation and educational courses for the Carer and person being cared for subject to the Carer being aged 55 or over. The range of activities includes:

Other useful contacts

Telephone: 08457 474747

A free, confidential advice service to employers and employees

Click on Carers Profiles to find a list of links that may be of use to you.

This is a government education site providing information on any area of learning for both young people and adults.

Department of Trade and Industry

Telephone: 0870 150 2500

The Department of Trade and Industry can supply iformation on a range of employment issues including flexible working and parental leave for both employee and employer.

Jobs & Careers