The impact of agency organisation and natural support on supported employment outcomes

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Beyer, Stephen

Affiliations: Welsh Centre for Learning Disabilities School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Neaudd Meirionnydd, Heath Park, Cardiff 14 4YS, UK. Tel.: +44 29 20687206; Fax: +44 29 20687100; E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract: Data was collected on nine supported employment agencies over one financial year on staffing ratio, staff qualifications, job finding approach, management structure, supervision arrangement, referral and funding sources, and typicalness of jobs and job placement approaches, replicating elements of Mank et al. (1997). Data was also collected on individual client wage and hours worked outcomes. An ANOVA revealed strong differences among agencies in hours worked, wages in the extent to which they acquired Job Acquisition, Compensation packages, Work Roles and Orientation and induction and programmes that were typical for the company they were placing into. An ANOVA on hours worked, wages earned and typicalness in these key processes revealed a significant independent effects of management model and job finding approach. Stepwise regression analysis was used to quantify the impact on wage and hours worked outcomes of management model. Job coach approach, staff ratio and typicalness in these four key areas. Significant Beta coefficients were found between monthly wage and hours worked and typicalness of Compensation, Work Roles and Orientation scores. Management model impacted only on monthly wages.

Keywords: Supported employment, natural support, management

DOI: 10.3233/JVR-2012-0586

Journal: Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 36, no. 2, pp. 109-119, 2012