Priti Patel with Sue Wray (left) - Inclusive Employment Business Manager at Essex Cares Ltd and Emma Gilson Inclusive Employment Engagement Lead, during their meeting.
Priti Patel MP calls on local businesses to be inclusive employers
Priti Patel MP has called on local businesses to partner with Essex Cares Ltd (ECL) to become inclusive employers and support people with learning difficulties in getting work opportunities. Her call follows a meeting with the company in Witham on Friday 15th July.
ECL, in conjunction with Essex County Council, is dedicated to finding employment opportunities across the County for adults with a learning difficulties and has partnered with a range of businesses across the County. ECL are also working hard to support businesses to become inclusive employers. Emma Gilson, Inclusive Employment Engagement Lead and Sue Wray, Inclusive Employment Business Manager from ECL were able to discuss with Priti their organisation’s activities in Essex and Witham itself.
Following the meeting, Priti said: “As a former Employment Minister I have supported policies to enable inclusive employment opportunities and help people with learning disabilities and difficulties fulfil their potential by gaining employment. The empowerment and self-confidence of being in work is life changing for adults with learning disabilities, which is why the work of ECL and employment support schemes is so important.
“Employers themselves benefit from access to a wider range of talented people and I would encourage businesses in my constituency to engage with ECL to understand what more they can do to become an inclusive employer. I look forward to supporting ECL in their work with local businesses and meeting local firms who are part of this important initiative.”
The Inclusive Employment team at ECL matches talented individuals to meet the needs of businesses, creating a successful working relationship that helps the candidate to develop their skills and achieve the goal of becoming more independent. ECL provides on-the-job coaching and mentoring for as long as is needed, to ensure that both the individual and the employer have the best possible experience.
Cllr John Spence, Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care at Essex County Council said: “This initiative is all about achieving a win-win; for the employer, for the employee and for society as a whole.”
The ECL team recently won the Great British Care, East of England Region Care Innovator award for successfully placing 128 adults with learning disabilities into secure paid work, in less than two years.
Further information about ECL is available at www.ecl.org.