Training Enterprise and Employment Services (TEES) Limerick.
BACKGROUND / LOCATIONS.
Training, Enterprise and Employment Services (TEES) in Limerick delivers its very successful programmes for one hundred and thirteen (113) service users supported by 26 staff and operating from three different locations namely the Training Centre in Lisnagry, the Garvey Enterprise Centre and the Tait Business Centre in Limerick city. The mission, ethos and philosophy of the Service is central to the delivery of Service in TEES.
Training Centre Lisnagry
The Training Centre in Lisnagry opened in 1978 and various programmes were delivered namely Vocational Training from 1978 to 1990, Integrated Adult Programme from 1990 to 1992, Adult Day Services Programme from 1992 to 1996 and Training Enterprise and Employment Services from 1996 to the present Day. 1996 also heralded the introduction of the four year Rehabilitative Training (RT) Programme. Rehabilitative Training is foundation skills training aimed to facilitate people with disabilities to acquire the skills necessary to live an individual and independent life as chosen in the community.
RT Training Plan:
The Training Programme normally does not exceed 4 years unless special circumstances grant an extension of training time. The Training Programme is person-centered programme and the exact duration of each module will vary to meet the ability and needs of each individual.
The Programme includes a course determination phase for the initial 3-4 months. This includes an induction and the development of an Individual Personal Training Plan. The Programme is then divided into seven domains each incorporating a range of core modules, which are selected to achieve individual goals. These goals are reviewed every 3 months and new goals are identified and achieved.
Although the Training Plan includes a timescale in terms of an approximate duration of module completion it is necessary that in order to offer an individualised service based on individual needs that the timescale may vary for each person and in some cases there may be a dramatic difference in the time a person takes to complete any element.
Training Domains:
- Course Determination Phase
- Personal Care Skills
- Independent Living
- Community Skills
- Interpersonal Skills
- Leisure Skills
- Work Skills
- Career Planning
- Literacy/Numeracy
- Disability Specific
- Continuous Review
Training Outcomes:
- Achievement of individual goals as determined during training
- Further Training
- Sheltered/Supported/Open Employment
- Health Gain
- Social Gain
- Voluntary Work
When the Training Centre opened separate sheltered occupational services were formed in the Training Centre, Tait Centre and Garvey Centre and are still in existence today.
Sheltered Occupational Service:
Programme Aim:
Sheltered Occupational Services aim to provide young Adults with a moderate intellectual disability with meaningful occupational options that are compatible with each individualà ¢Ã¢”š ¬Ã¢”ž ¢s needs and capacities. The aim is to live as individual and independent a life as possible as chosen in the community.
Programme Plan:
The Sheltered Occupational Services Programme is person-centered and the exact duration of each module will vary to meet the ability and needs of each individual. The programme is divided into 6 different areas which incorporate a range of core skills, which are selected to achieve individual goals. These goals are reviewed annually and new goals are then set for the following year. Timetables are developed and reviewed as goals are identified and achieved.
Although the Programme includes a timescale of achievement of goals it is necessary to understand that in order to offer an individualized service based on individual needs that the timescale may vary for each person.
The following are the Sheltered Occupational Services Domains:
- Personal Care Skills
- Independent Living Skills
- Community Skills
- Interpersonal Skills
- Leisure Skills
- Literacy/Numeracy Skills
- Work Skills
- Continuous Review
The activities and programmes that are delivered today include arts and crafts, woodwork, horticulture, tapestry, candle making, music, social programmes, personal development.
Garvey Enterprise Centre
The Garvey Enterprise Centre is a well established sheltered occupational service for adults of all ages with a mild to moderate learning disability based in John Street in the City Centre.
Its history dates back to 1991 when it was located in the Tait Centre. There were originally eight Service Users hence it acquired the name Lisocto Designs – Lis to signify its association with St. Vincent’s Centre in Lisnagry and Octo because there were eight workers. The Garvey moved due to demand in places to its current premises on John Street in 1994 and it was officially opened on Monday June 26th 1995 by Mr Michael Noonan T.D. Minister for Health. The activities and programmes that are delivered today include arts and crafts, sewing, card making, computers, Music, Dance, literacy and numeracy, social programmes, personal development.
Tait Business Centre
The Tait Business Centre is a well established sheltered occupational service for adults of all ages with a mild to moderate learning disability based in Dominic Street in the City Centre.
Its history dates back to November 1997 when eleven Service Users and two Staff were based at the Tait Business Centre. Today there are thirty-four Service Users and four Staff. The TEES Supported Employment Officer is also based at the Tait.
The initial programmes developed attempted to address all needs from literacy to personal development.ԚÂ A program of Social Integration took place daily i.e. lunch out – this involved road crossings, money management and meeting new people. Local facilities were used for example swimming at St. Enda’s, walks in U.L, the Peoples Park and continued exposure to public transport.
In 1998 the Staff Team increased to four and another large group of Service Users came from Rehabilitative Training. It was at this stage Supported Employment was introduced to the Service. The activities and programmes that are delivered today include arts and crafts, contracts, cookery, computers, music, literacy and numeracy, social programmes, personal development. Fitness programmes such as swimming, soccer, basketball, aerobics, T’ai Chi and dance.
Supported Employment
Supported Employment plays a very significant and important role for all the people involved in the programme. The programme is delivered and developed by the Supported Employment Officer whose ultimate role is to identify potential employers and negotiate for the successful and continued placement of the participants into work placements. Today there are over twenty Service Users actively involved in work placements in Hotels, Leisure Centres, Pubs, Restaurants, Colleges and professional offices.
Management and Staffing.
The Centres are managed through the effective teamwork and co-operation of all staff including Household, Care Assistants, Administration, Supervisors, Programme Presenters Managers and Administrator. A full range of medical and multidisciplinary professionals are available to support the Service Users.