POISE is a project funded under the EQUAL Programme and will be delivered through a Development Partnership that comprises of:
- ARC(NI)
- North & West Belfast Health & Social Services Trust
- Positive Futures
- Ulster Community & Hospitals Health & Social Services Trust
POISE aims to:
- Promote equality in employment in the care sector in Northern Ireland focusing initially on learning disability
- Specifically target the under-representation of males in direct support roles
- Promote the retention and progression of females in learning disability services
- Draw on European experiences and national networks to source ideas/models to introduce to Northern Ireland; and
- Disseminate and mainstream findings throughout the care sector in Northern Ireland.
Research studies in Northern Ireland have identified under-representation by males in care sector jobs and that women are underrepresented in supervisory positions. They also show that demand for staff is outstripping supply, partially due to changes in demographics, competition from other employment sectors, increased prevalence of disability and an extending range of employment opportunities in this sector. In addition opportunities are increasingly being developed for people with a learning disability to be fully included in the life of their community. This has created a demand for a more diverse workforce that more accurately reflects the aspirations of people to be supported by staff from a range of backgrounds.
POISE seeks to help broadly two groups of people:
- Men who have not previously been employed in the care sector
- Women who may experience obstacles to remaining in care sector employment or progressing in their careers
TRANSNATIONAL PARTNERSHIP
POISE have joined with other EQUAL projects from:
- Debrecen, Hungary
- Navelli, Italy
- Valencia, Spain
A clear programme of work has been agreed with these partners that will result in exchange of good practice and dissemination of outcomes across Europe.
OBJECTIVES
POISE will initiate the following:
- Undertake research to improve understanding of the issues to be addressed and potential solutions
- Produce a DVD to improve understanding of learning disability, promote positive role models from the target groups and involve people with a learning disability.
- Interact with approximately 100 males in Pre-Recruitment Support Activities
- Interact with approximately 50 females in a Progression Programme
- Interact with approximately 20 females in targeted focus groups
- Improved recruitment and human resource systems in Partner agencies
- Produce a Good Practice Manual that will be shared with ARC Members and will form a bigger guide to best practise in conjunction with our Transnational Partners.
- Increase the uptake by males in direct support roles
- Increase the confidence by female beneficiaries in seeking promotion
If you want to contact us:
105 Cavehill Road
BELFAST BT15 5BJ
Telephone: (028) 9075 1454
Fax: (028) 9020 9300
Email: poise@caresector.net