Employment, Training and Education

• Disability Employment and Training Services
• Mental Health Employment and Training Services
• General Employment and Training Organisations
• Help with Access to Work
• Caring and Employment
• Education for People with Special Needs
• Volunteer Centre Tameside
• Other useful contacts

The information below gives you details on how to contact organisations that offer advice and support on employment and training issues for disabled people living in Tameside.

Disability Employment and Training Services

Benefits - Department for Works and Pensions, Customer Service Team, Beech House, Clarendon St, Hyde, SK14 2LP
0161 253 8371/8338 Switchboard: 0161 253 8200
Benefit enquiry line for people with disabilities 0800 882 200

Employment Service North West Disability Service, Disability Service Team Manager, C/o Denton Job Centre, Tameside, M34 3AA
0161 251 3320 christine.pleszak@jobcentreplus.gov.uk

or

c/o Stockport Wellesley Jobcentre, Wellesley House, 30 Wellington Road North, Stockport, SK4 1LS
0161 253 2071 rosie.frith@jobcentreplus.gov.uk or visit www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/

The jobcentres above offer specialist help to disabled jobseekers including a service to employers. The Disability Employment Advisors cover Ashton, Denton, Hyde, and Stalybridge jobcentres, where there is access for disabled people.

Rathbone, Churchgate House, 56 Oxford St, Manchester, M1 6EU 0161 236 5358

Rathbone offer learning and training support towards employment for people who are experiencing disadvantage.

RNID Employment Service, RNID Employment and Learning Project, Royal Schools for the Deaf, Stanley Rd, Cheadle Hulme, Cheadle, SK8 6RQ
0161 610 0159 Text: 0161 610 0161

RNID offer a free and confidential employment service to deaf and hard of hearing people who are aged sixteen years or over.

 Adult Services Routes to Work, Frederick House, Dunkirk Lane, Hyde, SK14 4QD 
0161 342 5200 0161 342 5260

Routes to Work offers employment options, plus paid and voluntary work experience so that people with a disability can find and keep employment.

Top Notch

Top Notch was set up in 1999 to provide practical work for those using the Learning Disability Service. There are three services:

• Garden Service - maintenance of the general public's gardens and growing plants
• Building garden furniture - which is then sold to the public
• Garden Supplies - a retail outlet where goods are sold.

Visual Impairment Service

This service provides information, support and advice to people at home and at the Vision First Resource Centre. The type of help available includes:

• Emotional support, and counselling relating to vision loss
• Independent living skills to help you:
  • Develop skills to travel
  • Maintain existing home skills such as food preparation
  • With advice and training in the use of magnifying aids
• Equipment and adaptations
• Low Vision Service to help you find the right magnifier
• Spotlight on Skills - a project for the 16 to 65s who would like to think about increasing their confidence and skills, voluntary work or returning to work.

Click here for further information on the Visual Impairment Service and Vision First Resource Centre

Mental Health Employment and Training Services

 Adult Services Routes to Work, Frederick House, Dunkirk Lane, Hyde, SK14 4QD 
0161 342 5200 0161 342 5260

Routes to Work aims to support people with or recovering from mental health problems into work, voluntary work, training and/or education. We also aim to support people once they are in these areas of opportunity.

General Employment and Training Organisations

Unit 2-4, Clarence Arcade, Stamford Street, Ashton-under-Lyne, Tameside, OL7 7PT
0161 330 1528 0161 344 2837 info@connexions-tameside.com (Website: Connexions (Tameside)

Connexions is a new service for all 13 to 19 year olds. It aims to help young people in Tameside 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.

First Step, Project Manager, 2-4 Clarence Arcade, Stamford Street, Ashton-under-Lyne, OL6 7PT
0161 330 8444 0161 330 8555

First Step offer careers advice and guidance for unemployed and employed adults in Tameside. Appointments are advisable but not always essential. Help is also available to assist clients with disabilities to access training and employment opportunities. Plus there is help for lone parents to discuss their career options. There are disabled access and toilets available.

Learn at St. Ann's

St Ann's Training and Enterprise Centre, Burlington Street, Ashton-under-Lyne, Tameside, OL6 7EG
0161 343 8889 0161 343 8887 Send a Message to Learn at St Ann's

Free part time courses for women.

 Learning and Skills Council Greater Manchester , Equal Opportunities Advisor, Arndale House, Arndale Centre, Manchester, M4 3AQ
0845 019 4142  0161 261 0370 grmanchesterinfo@lsc.gov.uk

The LSC aims to help people learn new skills, fulfil their potential and improve the quality of their lives at home and at work irrespective of their background or educational level. Disabled access is available.

Tameside College, Beaufort Road, Ashton Under Lyne, OL6 6NX
0161 908 6789 0161 908 6611 0161 908 6610 info@tameside.ac.uk (Website: Tameside College - Student Services)

The College welcomes applications from all students and sections of the community. It will endeavour to arrange appropriate support to meet the needs of students with disabilities and learning difficulties. Student Services at the College offers accessible, free and confidential education advice and guidance.

Help with Access to Work

Access to Work Programme, Access to Work Business Centre, PO BOX 313, Bolton, BL1 1FW
 01204 516 590 01204 516585 01204 516493

The Access to Work programme provides support and advice to enable people with disabilities to overcome some of the practical obstacles they may meet at work. You can enquire about and apply for Access to work support by contacting the Disability Employment Advisor based in your local Job Centre or by contacting the North West Disability Service Business Centre at the above address.

Wotec offers training for women in information technology and computer servicing. Women with disabilities are welcome. There is disabled access and toilet.

New Deal for Disabled People

0800 137 177 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.

Caring & Employment

• The Right to Have Time Off
• Work-Life Balance Campaign
• Promoting the Inclusion of Carers into Employment
• The Princess Royal Trust for Carers

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 on the Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Website 

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 Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Website 

Promoting the Inclusion of Carers into Employment

Carers UK 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:

• Loss of confidence and work skills
• Invisibility to mainstream services such as JobCentre Plus
• Finding good quality, flexible and affordable alternative care
• Finding an understanding and flexible employer
• Bridging the gap between benefits and work

The main Carers UK site can be found on http://www.carersuk.org/Home 

The Princess Royal Trust for Carers

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

• Issues faced by Carers in employment
• How employers can help
• How do you find out about Carer friendly policies
• What can Carers do?
• Helpful organisations
• Employment opportunities

Click here for further information from www.carers.org

Education for people with Special Needs

• What are Special Needs?
• Special Needs and Education
• Children and Young People
• Adults

What are Special Needs?

A person has special needs when they have:

• A physical disability
• A problem with sight, hearing or speech
• A mental disability
• Emotional or behavioural problems
• A medical or health problem
• Difficulties with reading, writing, speaking or mathematics work

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.

Topics covered include:

• Educating for Equality
• What the new law means
• What education providers be doing
• What to do if a disabled student is discriminated against
• Where to find more information

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

08457 622 633 08457 622 644 enquiry@drc-gb.org

Or you can download the information from their website: www.drc.org.uk .

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.

• Children under 5
• Children already at school
• Choices after 16

The Tameside Parent Partnership Service is a service that provides parents with a range of services about special educational needs. It enables parents to be better informed about needs, procedures and provision. This allows parents to play a more active and informed role in their child's education.

Tameside Council states that it has committed itself to raising the achievements of all pupils in our schooIs by encouraging the development of more inclusive practices. These practises will cover addressing the problem of discrimination for disabled learners or people with additional needs. Follow this link to read more about 'Inclusive practises' and your Council's 'Statement of Intent'.

Adults

There are a number of places in Tameside where adults with special needs can get education.

Age Concern 131 Katherine Street, Ashton-under-Lyne, OL6 7AW
0161 308 5000 info@ageconcerntameside.com or visit their website at www.ageconcerntameside.org.uk

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:

• Computer classes
• Gentle keep fit
• Relaxation
• Art and crafts
• Debating group
• Gardening

Cavendish Mill, Resource Centre, 45/46 Cavendish Mill, Ashton-under-Lyne
0161 612 9986 or visit their website www.cavendish-mill.org.uk

Cavendish Mill Resource Centre is open to everyone in Tameside above the age of 16. Courses provided are:

• Computers for the terrified
• New Clait
• ECDL
• English and Maths workshop
• Education, Advice & Guidance
• Watercolour Painting
• Confidence Building

Dovestones, Tameside College, Beaufort Road, Ashton-under-Lyne, OL6 6NX
0161 908 6789 or visit their website http://www.tameside.ac.uk/dove/

Located at Tameside College, Dovestones is a purpose-built facility with equipment and specialist resources for students aged between 16 and 19 years with severe and profound learning difficulties. There's a range of courses available together with an FAQ guide for parents and Carers. Additional support is available throughout the programmes. Courses include:

• Horticulture
• Bakery
• Art
• Pottery
• Vehicle Maintenance
• Hairdressing
• Drama
• Sport
• Life skills - Using the community, cooking a meal, personal presentation

Essential Skills, St Anne's Training Centre, Burlington Street, Ashton-under-Lyne, OL6 7EG
0161 331 9586 or view more information on Essential Skills

The Basic Skills Team offers courses and small workshops to help people develop their English and Maths. There are family programmes available too. The Team also work with specific groups within the community such as:

• The Alcohol & Drugs Service
• A Women's Project
• Tameside Speak (supporter of people with learning difficulties)
• Age Concern

Loxley House, Birch Lane, Dukinfield, Cheshire, SK16 5AU
Adult Services on 0161 342 2400 or your Social Worker, if applicable.

Loxley House is a specialist unit that runs courses for people with a physical disability or sensory impairment. Courses include:

• Access to Information Technology
• Woodwork
• Crafts

Learn @ Union St offers a wide range of courses to adults aged 19 and over who have learning difficulties and/or disabilities. Courses include:

• Computers Entry level
• Literacy Entry level
• Using information & Computer Technology
• Using ICT Entry level
• Number Entry level
• Art & Design
• Communication Entry level
• Expressive Arts
• Preliminary Cooking Foundation
• Catering Entry level
• Towards Independence Pre-entry level
• Horticulture

For more information about the courses available, contact our Student Support Services on 0161 343 8899

Parent Partnership Service

The aim of this service is to provide parents with a range of services which enable them to be better informed about special education needs procedures and provision, enabling parents to play a more active and informed role in their child's education.

0161 342 3383 Send a Message to Parent Partnership

Learn at St Ann's, St Anne's Training Centre, Burlington Street, Ashton-under-Lyne, OL6 7EG
0161 343 8889

Learn at St Ann's offers free part-time training for women who live in Tameside and would like to return to work, get a better job or enhance their job prospects. They also provide:

• Counselling
• Travel allowance
• Help towards childcare
• One-to-one learning
• Information and Advice
• 4-weeks work experience placement

Courses includes:

• Computer Servicing
• ICT Technicians Course
• Intermediate Web page Design
• Internet Technologies
• Presentation/Communication Skills
• Women into Employment
• Number Skills
• New Clait
• ECDL
• Foundation IT and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)

Volunteer Centre Tameside

Volunteering can offer you the chance to learn new skills, use your existing skills and expertise, develop new interests, meet people, become involved in action that effects social change and the opportunity to get involved! If you:

• are interested in voluntary work?
• are wondering which type of voluntary work would best suit you
• need support and training to help you to volunteer?
• are disabled and want to know how to go about getting into voluntary work?

Then contact:

95-97 Penny Meadow, Ashton-Under-Lyne, OL6 6EP 
0161 339 2345 (Website: Volunteer Centre Tameside Website )

or you can contact any of the following:  www.tamesidevb.org.uk/pages/contact_us.php - general enquiries, volunteering enquiries, supported volunteering enquiries, admin/building/meeting room enquiries, payroll service enquiries.

Other useful contacts

Here is a brief list of sites you might find of interest:

ACAS (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service)
A free, confidential advice service to employers and employees 08457 474747

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

The Directgov Website can supply information on a range of employment issues including flexible working and parental leave for both employee and employer.

• www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/index.htm 
• www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/Employees/WorkAndFamilies/index.htm 

Education & Training in Manchester and the Surrounding Regions
For a list of learning places to do with Higher Education, Further Education, Secondary Education, Primary, Infant and Junior Schools click on the link above.

Tameside College
Beaufort Road, Ashton-under-Lyne, OL6 6NX 
0161 908 6789 0161 908 6610

Access to education for all.

Tameside Forum of Disabled People, Mr Stuart Eyres, 4 Arnold Drive, Droylsden, Tameside, M43 7YD
0161 371 5481

The Forum works for disability rights, transport and everything else affecting the lives of disabled people. They are happy to field any questions, information and advice on disability issues. The Forum meet every second Friday in the month at Voluntary Action Tameside on Penny Meadow in Ashton-under-Lyne.

Education in Tameside
For a list of schools and adult learning centres with information for parents and students click on the link above.

 Assistant Manager - Additional Learning Needs, Learn @ Union St, Union Street, Hyde SK14 1ND
0161 342 4027/4028 Send a Message to Learn @ Union St