Jobsgopublic News

Organisations, which could include those operating in the third sector, are being invited to attend a training session being held next month.

Taking place in Newcastle on March 12th, Disability North will look to give guidance on issues relating to people with disabilities such as communication, language and etiquette.

Pointing out that awareness of disabilities "is vital for all organisations", Dianne Cown, strategic and operational support officer for the charity, states the benefits of the training session "include creating a positive understanding of disability, enhanced customer service, equality in employment and anti-discriminatory practices."

In addition, guidance on dealing with stereotyping in the workplace and the implications of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995/2005 will be given.

Such news could be of interest to those that are looking to boost their skills framework.

Meanwhile, those charities that look to change Britain’’s drinking culture were recently invited to apply for funding from the Drinkaware Trust as it launched a new £1 million fund.

More skills framework information.

Provision of high-quality customer service and offering clear information are just two areas that have seen a north-east based arms length management organisation (ALMO) receive high praise.

In an inspection by the Audit Commission, the Gateshead Housing Company was deemed to be providing an "excellent" range of housing services - including well-maintained estates and accessible local offices - to its residents, with equally good prospects in place for achieving future improvements.

Furthermore, the organisation is working well with network partners in tackling anti-social behaviour, has the best rent collection rates ever recorded in the town and is carrying out home improvements to a high standard.

Pointing out that the services offered by the housing body "excel in a number of areas", Yvonne Davies, head of housing for the Audit Commission in the north, claims that "the board provides strong leadership with a commitment to customer involvement and customer care".

However, it has not been the only ALMO to have been praised in recent days, after the commission claimed that Southend-based South Essex Homes is offering a "good" level of services to its residents.

More about network partners.

Leonard Cheshire Disability today (16 February) launches a new online resource to make it easier for employers to find disabled jobseekers with the skills they need.

Suitability, a partnership between Leonard Cheshire Disability, the Employer’s Forum on Disability and Jobsgopublic, is an online job brokerage initiative for registered jobseekers, employers and mentors.

www.lcdisability.org/suitability is backed by a team of advisers who identify the skills, talent and experience of disabled jobseekers and match them with employers.

Disabled jobseekers can contact personal advisors, connect with people with similar needs and goals, receive job alerts by SMS and access the Suitability CV Builder.

Employers can post vacancies online for free, recruit and hire staff, reach other companies through the Suitability Forum and sign up to virtual careers fairs.

Suitability builds on the success of Leonard Cheshire Disability’s Workability initiative, that supports 8,000 disabled people to (brief description of what workability does).

Jane Fletcher, Leonard Cheshire Disability’s Innovations Director, said: “Disabled people are already far less likely to be in work than non disabled people. With the job market in free fall, they will face even more barriers to finding work.

“Many disabled people do want to find a job, but often face the serious challenge of changing people’s perceptions of who they are and what they can do.

“Suitability aims to make it less exceptional to have a colleague who is disabled.”

Richard Tyrie, Jobsgopublic co-founder, said: “Jobsgopublic have worked closely with hundreds of public and not for profit sector employers to identify, attract and recruit a diverse talent pool for over 10 years.  Our partnership with Leonard Cheshire Disability will ensure that the public sector extends their reach even further by having access to their client groups.  We are confident this will have a significant impact on employers’ outcomes.”

Those working for charities and community organisations are being made aware of a new funding opportunity being made available to them.

Inviting applications from those third sector organisations which look to change Britain’’s drinking culture, the Drinkaware Trust has launched a £1 million grant aimed at funding alcohol education initiatives.

And in news that could interest those looking to improve their skills framework, the money is intended to be used for projects such as theatre workshops, film production and youth conferences.

Three levels of funding will be made available at tiers of £2,000, £25,000 and £100,000 and can be used for both existing and new projects.

Chris Sorek, chief executive officer of Drinkaware, said: "The current economic crisis can be tough on voluntary organisations so it’’s vital Drinkaware supports communities and charities who want to change alcohol culture in the UK."

Last month, Capacitybuilders revealed details of the first five charities to benefit from its new investment initiative which looks to help smaller organisations get better access to resources.

More skills framework information.

The good work being done by those working for a housing body in Essex will see them receive more money so that it can continue to deliver services.

Receiving two stars from a team of Audit Commission inspectors, South Essex Homes has been deemed as providing a "good" level of service to its tenants.

And in also being deemed as having promising prospects for achieving future improvements, it will now be able to borrow money to finance a property renovation initiative up until 2013, something that could interest those seeking work via a regional recruitment portal.

Mark Elsworth, lead housing inspector for the Audit Commission in the east, said: "South Essex Homes responded positively to our previous report and is now delivering services to a good standard."

As the arms length management organisation for Southend on Sea borough council, South Essex Homes is responsible for the management for more than 6,800 homes.

More regional recruitment portal information.