Since 2008, SoFA has been providing workplace supports consultancy services to the employees and managers of Social Firms, social enterprise and general workplaces. The services provided are specifically focused on the needs of employees with mental illness including common disorders like anxiety and depression as well as more significant mental illnesses such as schizophrenia and bipolar affective disorder.
The evidence on which the services are designed and delivered is drawn from the considerable experience of staff who have worked in psychosocial rehabilitation, vocational rehabilitation, community mental health services and Human Resource Management. It has also been informed by Australian and international research in the area. Importantly SoFA has a team of people with the lived experience of mental illness who are directly involved in all aspects of the program.
Contact - For further details and the costs associated with services listed below please contact: Dea Morgain
Training
The training program works with Social Firms, social enterprise, business and employment support services (Disability Employment Services & Australian Disability Enterprises) to develop workplaces that are supportive of employees with mental illness, their co-workers and their supervisors.
SoFA provides training in:
- Developing workplaces which are supportive of employees with mental illness (including legal issues)
- Disclosure of mental illness in the workplace
- Designing and implementing effective workplace adjustments for employees with mental illness
- Awareness of mental illness in the workplace
“A big thank you to you all for an informative, interesting and very much needed training offering support to the management team in assisting us with working with people with a mental illness…you all made it extremely interesting and helpful to us all” Jane Verberne, General manager, Social Firms, Prahran Mission
“All those who attended enjoyed the workshop very much. The collective view was that, not only was it extremely useful and interesting, but also that its structure and delivery were amongst the best training they can remember having received” Manager, Disability Employment Service
Resources
SoFA has developed a number of resources in order to support workplaces, managers and their employees. Resource materials include information on:
- Natural supports
- Disclosure (handbooks available for employees and managers)
- Supervision
- Policy and procedures
- Employee support plans
Assessment
Individual: A highly experienced Occupational Therapist is available to undertake an assessment of an employee with mental illness who is experiencing difficulties in the workplace. The Occupational Therapist can advise on various government supports to employers including the Employment Support Fund, which may be able to reimburse the costs associated with accommodating an employee with a disability in the workplace.
Workplace: A highly experienced Occupational Therapist is available to undertake an assessment of the layout and design of a workplace to ensure it enables the productive integration of employees with a mental illness. Consultants are also available to advise on developing a business model that enables the employment of staff who may have requirements for flexible hours and shorter shifts.
“…SoFA’s visits to the site and their interviews with clients and support workers have provided our staff with far better insights into managing the clients’ reactions to work related instructions and situations” Paul Seinear, Manager, Momentum.
Manager mentoring
SoFA has a number of consultants with expertise in business management and working with employees with a mental illness. Mentoring may include assistance with employee relations, managing critical incidents, job/position description design, developing good procedure or simply the opportunity to debrief.
The mentoring service can be provided on a one-off or ongoing basis. Services can also be provided over the phone at a reduced cost.
Policy and procedure development
The Workplace Supports program has a number of resources to assist organisations develop suitable policy and procedure for Social Firms and social enterprises. Policy and procedures cover a wide range of topics including: managing disclosure, recruitment and performance management.
Specialist legal advice
The Workplace Supports team is able to refer clients to a legal firm for advice on particular situations. The legal firm SoFA works with specialises in industrial and discrimination law and has experience in working with Social Firms and social enterprise.