Genius Within wins ERSA awards for supporting jobseekers with disabilities into work
Genius Within CIC, an organisation that specialises in the workplace support of adults with neuro-differences has won recognition from the Employability Related Services Association (ERSA), for demonstrating exceptional commitment in supporting jobseekers with disabilities and health conditions to achieve sustained employment.
The annual awards hosted by ERSA celebrate and champion best practice from across the employment services sector, highlighting the day-to-day hard work and dedication of individuals and organisations in the sector working together to help jobseekers in their journey towards, into and progress in work.
Nancy Doyle, occupational psychologist and the CEO of Genius Within sees the Disability and Health Employment Award as recognition for the important work the company does collectively.
“The employment statistics for people with neuro-differences signal a drastic need for change. 28% of unemployed people and 40-60% of people who are incarcerated are dyslexic. Only 15% of people with Autism have a job. Many talented individuals are missing out on opportunities for satisfying employment and many organisations are not benefiting from their skills. We hope this award sheds light on the work we’re doing to champion positive assessment and work with people to turn their strengths into career success.”
Genius Within is passionate about developing talent and achieving success with hidden disability, including ADHD, autism, dyslexia, Tourette’s Syndrome, mental health and conditions such as MS. The organisation uses innovative design, research and campaigning alongside direct client work which sees 50% of all supported individuals finding sustainable employment based on their unique strengths. Through robust evaluation and benchmarking, 90% of Genius Within’s successful jobseekers are still with the same employer after one year, with 24% promoted within that timescale. The organisation supports over 700 unemployed individuals and 2,000 employed (but at risk) clients per annum.
In addition to the Disability and Health Employment Award, Genius Within caseworker, Tanya Weston, was given Adviser of the Year Award, for demonstrating exceptional commitment in a frontline role. Tanya Weston is an adviser on Genius Within’s offender project in the South West. She has helped offenders achieve a 50% job outcome rate, which is 125% above target, while completing a PhD exploring neurodiversity in custody. Tanya is also a carer to a disabled daughter and has Asperger’s herself.
ERSA’s Chief Executive, Kirsty McHugh, commented:
‘The 2018 ERSA Employability Awards celebrate the extraordinary achievements of individuals and organisations across the sector, from the frontline advisers working tirelessly to help people into work, to employers supporting local people into the workforce, and the jobseekers overcoming huge challenges to move into employment. They all richly deserve recognition for their achievements and the awards give us the opportunity to say thank you for their hard work.
