A new employment network set up across Bath and North East Somerset is helping young people with learning difficulties find suitable jobs.
When Jimmy and Lynda Deane receive their Christmas present from their teenage son, they’ll find it hard not to shed a tear.
For Tobias was diagnosed as autistic shortly before he was three and at the time his devastated parents were told when he reached his teens he would be in care for the rest of his life.
But not only will Tobias be giving a Christmas present, he will have bought it himself after independently going shopping and paid for it with money he’s earned.
The family are now working with Sirona care & health to promote an Employer’s Network to help other young people like their son.
Tobias’ parents and sister, Jess, used a programme of intensive one-to-one tutoring when he was small to help re-train his brain which has worked so well that Tobias can even empathise with others; a rare trait in someone with autism.
He went to mainstream primary and secondary school before undertaking an employment focused one year course for students with disabilities called Project SEARCH which originated at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital in America.
Jimmy, Bath Rugby Foundation’s manager, said: “Project SEARCH transformed him. He went there a child and turned into a young man. We could see the change in him – little things like getting to work on his own which is a skill in itself.”
Tobias has been working for Bath & North East Somerset Council as an Operations and Security Assistant at the Roman Baths and Pump Room in the city since September and loves every minute.
Jimmy added: “I never imagined in a million years him having a job; I remember when I used to dream that he’d have a conversation with me.
“Every success is like Christmas for us; he is an amazing young man. This Christmas will be the first time he will be buying presents using money he has earned – it’s incredible.
“He’s a success because he is doing things people said he could not do, we are all quite in awe of him.”
Avril Mendel, who is together with Steve Parr co-ordinating the Employer’s Network for Sirona, said: “Tobias got the job on merit and we are creating an employer’s network which will work in partnership with Sirona to meet with other young people like Tobias to offer them opportunities to prepare for and get into work.”
“Sirona already have a growing pool of ambitious, committed and talented young people who they know very well and have worked with them to develop their employment profiles. We will be offering support to businesses to build their in house capacity to attract, recruit and hire from this talent pool.
“We will offer ongoing support through their skilled and experienced Job Coaches. This support will come at no cost to the employer”.
Employers wanting to know more can contact Avril on 07530263361.