Mainstream Employment Programme - Roles and Responsibilities
There are four key parties involved in the placement of people who experience significant disability under the Mainstream Employment Programme. They are the employer, the Mainstream participant, the placement specialist, and Work and Income.
The role of the employer is to:
- Complete all Mainstream Employment Programme documentation
- Provide the Mainstream participant with an Employment Agreement that sets out their terms and conditions of employment in accordance with the Employment Relations Act 2000
- Comply with the requirements of the Employment Agreement and act as a good employer
- Provide accurate salary subsidy claims to Work and Income
- Send the participant and at least one staff member on the Mainstream induction training
- Participate in the regular Placement Progress Reviews
- Provide on-the-job training to the Mainstream participant, over and above the usual amount, and support opportunities for the participant to up-skill
- Identify a supervisor whose role is to support the participant and provide as much training as possible over the two year period so the participant becomes more resilient in the workforce
- Plan for the eventual tenure of the Mainstream participant, if at all possible.
The role of the Mainstream participant is to:
- Comply with the Employment Agreement and any general policies and procedures of the employer
- Abide by the State Services Standards of Integrity and Conduct
- Take part in training opportunities offered - both by the employer and by the Mainstream Employment Programme
- Take part in the regular Placement Progress Reviews
- Apply for advertised vacancies throughout the course of the placement.
The role of the placement specialist is to:
- Discuss clients who may be eligible for the Programme with the Work and Income contact person
- Contact eligible organisations to discuss the creation of Mainstream positions for eligible clients
- Negotiate placement start dates with the Work and Income contact person (each placement start date will be confirmed once an Agreement has been signed between Work and Income and the employing organisation)
- Complete the Job Proposal form with the employer, and send or deliver it to the Work and Income contact person
- Participate in the placement review with the Work and Income contact person at regular intervals throughout the placement
- Ensure ongoing support is available to the Mainstream participant on request
- Work co-operatively with the local Work and Income staff to promote a good outcome for people with significant disabilities.
The role of Work and Income is to:
- Approve or decline applications for Mainstream eligibility
- Set start dates for placements, where eligibility is confirmed and funding is available
- Complete all relevant placement documentation
- Provide reimbursement of salary subsidies to employers
- Support programme participants, by providing access to advice, information and training
- Make induction training available to Mainstream participants and their direct supervisors
- Provide programme-related training and information to placement specialists
- Network with placement specialists
- Market the Mainstream Programme to potential participants, eligible State sector organisations and disability sector agencies.
