Placements
P@W partners encourage employers to offer work experience opportunities and trial prospective employees through temporary placements. P@W mentors work closely with employers and candidates, providing support and advice before and during the placement to ensure its success. If you are interested in offering a placement, please email info@potentialatwork.org.uk.
Who are your potential employees?
Your potential employees are refugees, people with a history of homelessness, and people with a history of mental health issues. Like all of us, disadvantaged people have a range of strengths, skills, experiences and interests. What they share is a sense of purpose, skills in self-management, willpower and a willingness to work hard. They are aware of their strengths and limits, and are able to manage themselves effectively. They are ready for work.
Your potential employees are resourceful people who have moved to a foreign country to seek freedom and justice; motivated people who have pulled themselves off the streets; determined people who have learned to manage their mental health issues. Your potential employees have overcome immense obstacles and achieved great progress in their personal lives while retaining the desire to work. Your potential employees have robust support networks and the knowledge to use them.
Your potential employees are not your average workers. They are among the most committed, keen and hard working people you will ever meet.
Organising a placement
Here are some of the key learning points we have gained during the time we have been working in partnership with employers to provide work opportunities for disadvantaged people.
Mentoring
Each work placement candidate is allocated a Potential@Work mentor whose role is to help ensure the placement a success for all concerned. The mentor will help you organise any training you require and will advise whether your company is eligible for any of the financial incentives provided by Jobcentre Plus.
Planning
The placement role and tasks need to be clearly defined, which can be arranged during a preliminary meeting between the employer and Potential@Work mentor, followed by a three-way meeting including the candidate. Terms and conditions are discussed and agreed during these meetings including placement duration, working hours, payment and disciplinary processes.
Expectations
Expectations about behaviour, personal presentation, punctuality and performance are discussed and agreed with the candidate during the pre-placement meeting.
The placement is always considered to be a temporary arrangement unless a suitable permanent position definitely available. This helps prevent employers or candidates developing unrealistic expectations. Please contact the placement mentor if you wish to extend a placement or offer paid employment. The mentor will advise you of any issues, such as benefit restrictions, that may affect your potential employee's ability to accept such an offer.
Line management
Candidates benefit greatly from having a nominated point of contact throughout their placement. Ideally, this person will be their line manager or immediate supervisor. This structure facilitates the timely discussion of any issues they arise.
Communication
During the placement, the Potential@Work mentor will maintain regular contact with the line manager, providing advice and support needed. This also enables the mentor to maintain a record of the candidate's progress, and to provide positive reinforcement or challenge any behaviour affecting the placement.