Forth Valley Network of Supported Employment

Introduction

FVNSE was first formed in 1995 and is affiliated to the Scottish Union of Supported Employment (SUSE).  Early members of the FVNSE were part of the team who helped in the early development of SUSE. 

The aim of the network is:

• To provide a network for local agencies who support people who are disabled, disadvantaged or disengaged in the labour market.
• To share information, knowledge and expertise.
• To share and promote good practice.
• To promote partnership working across agencies.
• To promote a joint approach to employers.
• To promote the development of the network and encourage employers and people who use support services to become involved.
• To represent and promote the views of network members to other appropriate bodies.
• To seek to influence future additional supports to access employment within the Forth Valley area.
• To promote and celebrate diversity in the the workplace by continuing to organise and host the regional Forth Valley Business Diversity awards.

Values

• Promote lifelong learning and development for all based on individual informed choice.
• Flexibility of support to meet the specific needs of individuals regarless of barriers and the distance from employment.
• Flexibility of support to meet the specific needs of employees in job retention.
• All jobseekers should have opportunites to access open and paid employment with appropriate support.
• Equality of opportunity for all employees to progress within the workplace.
• All employers should have access to appropriate support to enable them to successfully employ a diverse workforce.
• Diversity is about creating a workplaec that recognises, respects and values the differences between individuals.  It aims to maximise the full potential of everyone.

Membership

FVNSE currently has in excess of 70 members across Forth Valley.  There is representation from a wide variety of organisations - Stirling, Clackmannanshire and Falkirk local authorities, Jobcentre plus, Careers Scotland, Forth Valley College, Forth Valley Health Board, Capability Scotland and Remploy.  A diverse range of supports are offered from the first step on the journey to progression and on-going support in employment. 

For details of the full membership, please click on this link.

Our Unique Selling Point

 

Management Steering Group

Chairperson FVNSE: 

Stuart Landels, Clackmannanshire Council, Lime Tree House, Castle Street, Alloa, FK10 1EX

Telephone: 01259 452383

E-mail: slandels@clacks.gov.uk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Secretary FVNSE: 

Hazel Brooks, Falkirk Council, Asset, 17-19 Tambourfill Industrial Estate, Falkirk, FK1 4RT

Telephone: 01324 501622

E-mail: hazel.brooks@falkirk.gov.uk

 Upcoming SUSE NETWORK Meetings:

TBC

Forth Valley Business Diversity Awards 2009

 Employers from across Forth Valley gathered at the Tolbooth in Stirling on Thursday 8th October for the 2009 Forth Valley Business Diversity Awards.

This is the fourth time Forth Valley Supported Employment Network have celebrated the Awards which recognise employers who have made a significant contribution to the recruitment or retention of employees from the six strands of Diversity.

This is the first year the awards have secured media sponsorhip from Central FM and the local radio station played a proactive role in publicising the application process through airtime and a dedicated micro website.

Neil Boyd, Director of Forth Valley Supported Employment Network said, "It's great to see how these awards have developed over the last four years.  They give recognition to the excellent work employers do in supporting people who often face a range of barriers in accessing and sustaining employment."

Forth Valley Employment Network was honoured to have Gordon Banks, MP Ochil & South Perthshire in attendance at the event and George Craig, Managing Director of Falkirk Football Club as Keynote Speaker and presenter of the Overall Award.  The event was attended and supported by Provost Fergus Wood - Stirling Council, Provost Pat Reid - Falkirk Council and Depute Provost Harry McLaren - Clackmannanshire Council.

There were four categories of Forth Valley Business Diversity Awards: Rectruitment, Retention, Social Firm and Overall Winner.  The awards themselves are of a unique design and were made by the Scottish Society for Autism's Art Workshop.

• The Overall Winner was Stirling Management Centre, Stirling.
• The winner of the Recruitment category was ASDA Stenhousemuir, with Highly Commended going to Keystore, Bonnybridge and Commended going to Airthrey Care Home, Airth.
• The winner of of the Retention category was Capita Life & Pensions Service, Stirling with Highly Commended going to Central Scotland Fire & Rescue Service and Commended to Morrisons Supermarket, Stirling.
• The Winner of Social Firm was Candies Cuisine, Alloa.

The winners in each category will go forward to the National Business Diversity Awards, which are scheduled for the Glasgow Science Centre in November 2009.

 Media Coverage 1 - Forth Valley Business Diversity Awards 2009

Media Coverage 2 - Scottish Business Diversity Awards 2009