2022 ESF case study - Cedar Foundation - Inclusion Works

The Cedar Foundation’s Inclusion Works programme supports adults with disabilities who are keen to build employability skills and experience to be work ready before moving into a paid job, college course or volunteering on leaving. Specialist physical disability, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and brain injury support is available and tailored to each individual and their needs. The project is part funded through the Northern Ireland European Social Fund Programme 2014-2020 and the Department for the Economy.

Participant's story

This case study tells the story of a participant who was referred to the programme by his Access and Support Officer at the local college, where he was studying. The participant required support with university applications and the student finance process. Additionally, he required support with accessing practical support on the university campus to ensure he could attend his classes safely.

With the support of his Case Officer using person centred planning, he set a goal of studying a part time course at university.

Receiving support at university

The participant enrolled in university and working in partnership with his Case Officer, identified the supports he required to achieve his goal. The Case Officer arranged, and accompanied him to, meetings with learning support at university. This meeting allowed consideration of his needs and discussion about ways to support him with his studies including IT equipment, IT support and a scribe. The participant was also assessed as requiring "classroom support" in lectures and classrooms.

Case Officers supported this participant with completing student finance applications enabling him to claim Disabled Students Allowance to support him financially during his studies. Additionally, Cedar have provided financial support for transport to/from University.

While the current COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions have impacted on course delivery this participant has been able to continue his studies remotely with classes facilitated via Zoom. Contact with Case Officers were also maintained via telephone and Zoom calls, so there was limited disruption to the Inclusion Works service.

Excelling in studies

Despite these challenges the participant has excelled in his studies, receiving recognition from the university for the marks achieved in all assignments for the academic year.

Speaking about his experience of the Inclusion Works programme the participant said,

“The Inclusion Works program was vital to me transitioning to University. My Case Officers were really nice and helpful supporting me to fill in the student finance forms, and accompanying me and my family to meetings with student support. This was really important because the Case Officers advocated for the support I needed. Overall, I feel that the Inclusion Works Program is a brilliant example of the crucial work that Cedar does”.

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