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1 – 10 of over 25000The purpose of this paper is to describe the learning from a historical NHS vocational service development that focused on: mental health, employment and social inclusion – in an…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to describe the learning from a historical NHS vocational service development that focused on: mental health, employment and social inclusion – in an inner city area – involving service users, staff and commissioners.
Design/methodology/approach
It is a descriptive case study. A range of historical documents was content analysed and described through a first-person narrative: service user consultations, service specifications, audit records, outcome frameworks, internal service evaluations and published literature.
Findings
When vocational NHS service developments are grounded in what service users say helps them (person-centred, networked and co-ordinated approaches) the evidence indicates people can achieve their vocational goals.
Research limitations/implications
The range of documents described is factual, although the learning insights from some of the service developments are based on personal judgements. The author was the responsible manager – personal bias is high. There is not enough robust evidence to warrant generalisation.
Practical implications
When employment and social inclusion are prioritised, as core business in NHS, outcomes and health impact can increase. Greater detail is needed from healthcare policy makers – focusing on who exactly should undertake this work and what the key commissioning social inclusion performance indicators are.
Originality/value
The bulk of literature on employment support focuses on promoting evidence from one model: individual placement and support. Evidence here indicates a broader range of activity (education, training and volunteering) can have value and health impact.
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Despite it being a central focus of government policy, there is a lack of research into the experience of employment for people with mental health problems, especially with regard…
Abstract
Despite it being a central focus of government policy, there is a lack of research into the experience of employment for people with mental health problems, especially with regard to the social outcomes. David Buckle uses evidence from research and the findings of his own qualitative study to explore the relationship between supported employment and social inclusion and argues that the social and psychological needs of people with mental ill health can potentially be met by putting employment at the heart of mental health services.
Emma Carmel, Kate Hamblin and Theo Papadopoulos
This paper seeks to evaluate the EU's “active ageing” agenda as a governance strategy for the activation of older workers, and its impact on the regulation both of those who make…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper seeks to evaluate the EU's “active ageing” agenda as a governance strategy for the activation of older workers, and its impact on the regulation both of those who make, and those who are the objects of, policy. This case study is used to reflect more broadly on the implications of governance strategies for the regulation of social subjects in the European Union (EU).
Design/methodology/approach
The paper adopts a model of governance comprising two dimensions, namely formal policy (policy aims) and operational policy (policy means). This model is used to explain how and to what effect, discourses and institutions interact in EU governance to produce particular forms of social subject regulation; in this case, activation.
Findings
For the operational dimension, the paper explores how contradictions and tensions within and between employment, pensions and social inclusion policies are reflected in, and the products of, a re‐allocation of responsibilities between the EU, member states, social partners, and individuals. For the formal dimension, it explains how employment for older workers is constructed as having a different meaning to the employment of other workers, and how EU discourse on active ageing disguises crucial inequalities between groups of older workers, both pre‐ and post‐retirement.
Research implications/limitations
The paper concludes that active ageing policy in the EU institutes a new category of social subject, apparently eliding the former distinction between employment and retirement, namely the “activated retiree”.
Originality/value
The paper demonstrates the efficacy of the two‐dimensional approach to the empirical analysis of governance strategies and identifies how key tensions in the production of EU social policies directly impact on the regulation of social subject categories in the EU.
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Hannah Meacham, Jillian Cavanagh, Amie Shaw and Timothy Bartram
The purpose of this paper is to examine how HRM practices enhance and/or impede the employment, participation, and well-being of workers with intellectual disabilities in three…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine how HRM practices enhance and/or impede the employment, participation, and well-being of workers with intellectual disabilities in three hotels located in Australia.
Design/methodology/approach
The research employs a case study methodology, including interviews with three HR managers, three department managers, 17 workers with intellectual disabilities, and focus groups of 16 supervisors and 24 work colleagues.
Findings
The research found that the opportunities to participate in work are driven primarily by developing a social climate that enables social cohesion through the altruistic motives of managers/supervisors and reciprocal relationships.
Originality/value
The findings lend support for the importance of both formal and informal HR practices, such as inclusive recruitment and selection, mentoring, and training and development, as well as individualised day-to-day support provided by supervisors and colleagues, to improve the participation and well-being of workers with an intellectual disability.
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Mayumi Hagiwara, Evan E. Dean and Karrie A. Shogren
Researchers have found that enhanced self-determination can contribute to integrated employment and social inclusion outcomes for adults with disabilities. This chapter will…
Abstract
Researchers have found that enhanced self-determination can contribute to integrated employment and social inclusion outcomes for adults with disabilities. This chapter will provide an overview of the Self-determined Career Design Model (SDCDM) and research on its implementation. The SDCDM is an evidence-based career design model implemented by a facilitator (e.g. school professional, community service provider, or any supporter) to enable young people with disabilities to design their career trajectory. The SDCDM has the three phases: (1) set a goal, (2) take action and (3) adjust goal or plan. The SDCDM promotes social inclusion by enabling young people with developmental disabilities to leverage their strengths, interests and resources available to reach self-selected career-related goals. The chapter will specifically consider factors (e.g. culture, family background) that influence the development and expression of self-determination and goal-directed behaviour across the lifespan. A case study of the implementation of the SDCDM with two young women with developmental disabilities who participated in a larger study examining the impact of the SDCDM on employment outcomes will be used to demonstrate the use and impact of the model.
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Jeppe Oute Hansen and Bagga Bjerge
The role of employment in dual recovery from mental illness and substance use is scarcely addressed in previous studies and a deeper understanding of this issue is needed. The…
Abstract
Purpose
The role of employment in dual recovery from mental illness and substance use is scarcely addressed in previous studies and a deeper understanding of this issue is needed. The purpose of this paper is to cast further light on the conditions that either facilitate or block the road to employment for dually diagnosed people (DDP) and how these conditions could either promote or hinder recovery.
Design/methodology/approach
Drawing on the principles laid out by health researchers Sandelowski and Barroso (2007), the study is designed as a qualitative meta-synthesis comprising a systematic literature search, a critical assessment of the identified studies and an integrative synthesis of the articles’ findings.
Findings
The synthesis outlines that the findings from the seven identified studies show a recovery process in which unemployed, DDP are becoming employed people – or where there is an attempt to restore their status as working persons – and how this process is driven or hindered by personal, interpersonal and systemic facilitators or barriers.
Research limitations/implications
The synthesis adds nuances to the understanding of employment in dual recovery processes and suggests that unconnected means of, and goals for, intervention among these individuals and systems might reduce the chances of DDP obtaining and maintaining a job.
Originality/value
The paper calls for more advanced research and policy on the multiple – and often contradictory – aspects of gaining and maintaining employment as part of dually diagnosed persons’ recovery.
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Dimity Jane Peter, Sarah Alem and Barbara Knabe
The purpose of this paper is to give voice to the experiences of women with disabilities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) who have accessed employment, to highlight the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to give voice to the experiences of women with disabilities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) who have accessed employment, to highlight the structural barriers to employment and to identify the skills they used to obtain work.
Design/methodology/approach
This is a phenomenological study conducted in KSA. Themes from the interviews of women with disabilities were explored using Yosso’s (2005) cultural capital conceptual framework.
Findings
The participants had work and career aspirations, persisted in their job search, navigated barriers, and had familial support and emotional support from their social networks, but lacked instrumental assistance in accessing work. KSA policies to support women and people with disabilities to obtain employment are not adequately enforced, and negative attitudes toward people with disabilities are widespread.
Research limitations/implications
The sample size is small, but these preliminary findings justify the necessity for additional research and policy development specifically focused on women with disabilities.
Practical implications
There is an urgent need for existing policy enforcement and a need for a national strategy promoting the employment of women and the needs of women with disabilities should be specifically included in this agenda.
Originality/value
There is no extant research or policy literature regarding employment and women with disabilities in the KSA. This study applies Yosso’s (2005) theory of cultural capital to women with disabilities, demonstrating its applicability outside of race/ethnicity studies and suggests that “community” is not an essential factor in building employment success.
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This study aims to determine the perception and attitude of consumers toward the presence of cybernetic avatars (CAs) as part of a social inclusion initiative.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to determine the perception and attitude of consumers toward the presence of cybernetic avatars (CAs) as part of a social inclusion initiative.
Design/methodology/approach
A mixed method was used to conduct the study using facial recognition expressions and surveys. Three studies were conducted. Study 1 examines consumers’ attitudes and perceptions of a CA and what it can do to promote social inclusivity among people who have mobility disabilities but wish to work. Study 2 tests a conceptual model to determine the factors that affect consumers’ intention to visit an establishment that uses CAs as their employees. Study 3 extends Study 2 and tests two moderators predicted to influence consumers’ attitudes toward CAs and their intention to visit an establishment that uses CAs.
Findings
The results show that consumers generally accept and are excited about such technological developments. Study 2 further supports this positive perception with its conceptual model. Study 3 provides insights into how the moderating factors influence a consumer’s attitude toward CAs and their intention to visit the establishment. Between consumers who have a mobility disability and those who do not, those who have mobility disabilities showed a more positive attitude and intention to patronize such an establishment.
Originality/value
Studies on CAs are still in the infancy stage. This study provides insight into how society can use technology to promote social inclusion, contrary to prior opposing arguments towards integrating robots into society.
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Despite a plethora of research on diversity and inclusion, workplace-related issues pertaining to individuals with schizophrenia (SCZ) remain grossly underexplored. This paper…
Abstract
Purpose
Despite a plethora of research on diversity and inclusion, workplace-related issues pertaining to individuals with schizophrenia (SCZ) remain grossly underexplored. This paper seeks to develop a relational, multilevel perspective of issues and challenges faced by individuals with SCZ in the work and career.
Design/methodology/approach
The research draws on the findings from in-depth, qualitative interviews with schizophrenic individuals, individuals’ family members, healthcare professionals and nongovernmental organization (NGO) representatives.
Findings
The findings highlight the interconnected nature of multilevel issues faced by schizophrenic individuals and indicate that at the societal level, social stigma, economic conditions and inadequate government policies are the key challenges faced by them. At the organizational level workplace support and job suitability and design affect individuals’ employment. At the individual level, self-stigma affects the employability in a negative way whereas personal motivation and resilience, family and social support and realization of illness are the facilitating factors.
Originality/value
The study adds to disability and diversity literature by developing a relational perspective that holistically captures the issues faced by schizophrenic individuals and suggests that the work and employment-related issues may be simultaneously addressed at multiple levels.
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Fernando Macías-Aranda, Teresa Sordé-Martí, Jelen Amador-López and Adriana Aubert Simon
In this chapter, the authors describe the developments towards Roma inclusion in Spain through Successful Educational Actions. First, the authors describe the main characteristics…
Abstract
In this chapter, the authors describe the developments towards Roma inclusion in Spain through Successful Educational Actions. First, the authors describe the main characteristics of the Spanish Roma Minority with special regard to their cultural and linguistic diversity and deprivated social situation. After a brief overview of the Spanish education system, the authors give a detailed picture of the educational attainment of the Roma minority in Spain. After then the authors present and analyse the most important successful policies and support programmes for Roma education.
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