Friends, Family & Carers Forum

[Pelican]

Hello, 

My son is schizophrenic and autistic. He was at university studying Psychology but deferred a year ago because the stress of study was greatly affecting his mental health.

He would like to find a part-time job to give his life some structure and routine - something fairly simple and quiet, that is not customer-focussed.

I'm wondering whether there are NSW-based employment agencies that specialise in jobs for people with disability. It would be important that he has the support and understanding of his employer.

Does anyone know of such an employment agency, or have ideas for how my son could go about finding work? He is 22 and has no experience of employment.

Thanks very much.

[Acacia]

Hi @Pelican 

It's great to hear that your son is wanting to do some part time work.

There are definitely organisations that help people living with physical and/or psychosocial disabilities find work. 

A good place to start might be the NSW Government's Disability Employment Service:

Disability Employment Service

You can also use Job Access to search for a provider in your area:

https://www.jobaccess.gov.au/find-a-provider

All the best with it 🙂

[Paperdaisy]

Hey @Pelican I believe headspace have work and study support also. They support young people up to the age of 25.

All the best!

[Gwynn]

You might also want to check out The Field, it's a new organisation around disability employment.  https://www.thefield.jobs/Job/Home

I know he wants the dignity of being paid for his work, but volunteer experience may still be a good thing for his resume.  There are quite a few online volunteer opportunities, but if he goes down that route, it's important that he finds out if he can be credited for his work (ideally get this promise in writing).  https://www.wikihow.com/Volunteer-Online

[outlander]

hi @Pelican

its great your son wants to try and find a job

a group called 'the Flagstaff group' is a job provider for those with disabilities as well depending on where you live in nsw. i know this company services sydney and south coast lines but im not sure about the rest of NSW. i just done a quick search.
others have responded with some other providers to have a look into though 🙂

[Pelican]

Thank you, @Acacia. We have tried two disability employment agencies. The first agency failed to turn up to the appointment (the agent 'forgot') and there was a similar issue with the second one. If anyone has a recommendation for a DES-approved agency that treats clients well and helps them find work, I would love to try this avenue again.

[Pelican]

Thanks, @Paperdaisy, sounds great - we will follow that up.

[Pelican]

Thank you, @Gwynn. The Field website looks promising. I will let my son know so that he can sign up. And thanks also for the tip about getting credited for volunteer work - this would not have occurred to me to check.

[outlander]

hi @Pelican just wondering how your going and if theres been any luck with the employment opportunities as yet?

[Pelican]

Hi @outlander , no luck with employment, although he has done a couple of online interviews. but there might be a volunteer opportunity with a local charity. Stay tuned!