ROSE (Realistic Opportunities for Supported Employment) is an innovative, community based project run by Havering College enabling adults with Learning Disabilities/Difficulties to enter paid employment. Employment is a vital part of promoting social inclusion and the benefits are much more than just financial as it helps to build self-esteem and independence. It aims to improve the quality of life not only for the people with learning disabilities/difficulties but also their parents/guardians, employers and their workforce. The success of this project has been phenomenal and this is mainly because every client starts work with a Job Coach who stays with them for their whole working shift and after regular reviews this support is then gradually withdrawn until the client is able to sustain their employment independently. We also offer a travel training programme. ROSE has been going for three years and to date have placed over 50 adults into paid employment, with 47 now working completely independently and 8 have been travel trained and now independently use buses not only to travel to work but socially as well. The project is run by Havering College but has been supported financially by various organisations primarily with the London Borough of Havering, Adult Learning Disability Team, Connexions and Jack Petchey, together with the Learning Skills Council. The profile of ROSE is constantly being raised locally & nationally and we are often asked to give presentations to share good practice with other organisations and agencies. All of the adults placed with Learning Disabilities are successes because without a project like ROSE they would not be given the chance they need to enter the workforce. Referrals are made to the project by various methods, these include: students personal tutors, social/care workers based at the Hermitage, in Hornchurch, Connexions or Job Centre Plus.

 If you would like an informal chat about the project please phone Sharon Gould or Jenny Carr, Project Managers on 01708 455011 Ext 4087 or email rose@havering-college.ac.uk