DESCRIPTION OF GOOD PRACTICE

AURA Fundació is the first European organization to implement a supported employment project, launched in 1989. According to one of its founders, Gloria Canals, supported employment means «accompanying a person with a disability who wants to work in an ordinary company.» The foundation focuses on individuals who prefer an inclusive model over traditional options such as sheltered workshops or special employment centers. It provides opportunities for these individuals to explore and determine if working in mainstream companies suits them.

Some individuals who have been highly sheltered arrive at the employment service and need to experience facing the reality of work with less protection. Through work practice, their praxis improves, and bad habits are lost.

The foundation works with a person-centred project. When someone wishes to access employment in an ordinary company, a job that matches their profile and interests is sought. A person-centred project based on O’Brien’s model is developed and evaluated twice a year. At the end of the year, it is assessed whether the employment is satisfactory for the hired person and whether it is appropriate for them to continue in the same position or seek a more suitable role.

The support goes beyond professional performance. The eight dimensions of quality of life are addressed in each person-centred project for those in supported employment.
The aim is to provide support in areas beyond employment that contribute to self-fulfilment.

In parallel to employment, training has always been provided. At Aura, they offer individualized pre-employment training and group training, always in small groups of no more than six people to best address diversity.

After a period of preparation, individuals access employment within a timeframe of three months to two years, depending on each person’s needs. A fundamental requirement before starting employment is that they must be able to travel independently to the workplace, gaining autonomy in transportation and independence from their family. One significant challenge with employers is ensuring they do not feel isolated. The natural supports within the company receive assistance from Aura’s job coaches. They also require guidance and support.

Personalized job follow-up is carried out according to four different pathways, designed based on the individual’s support needs:

• Learning Pathway: Very high support intensity, with a job coach present for a large part of the workday.
• Insertion Pathway: High support intensity. Functions and responsibilities are adapted, and inclusion in the professional team is facilitated.
• Consolidation Pathway: Medium support intensity. The goal is to foster evolution and improvement in performance and tasks.
• Development Pathway: Medium to low support intensity. The aim of this pathway is the career advancement of the hired individual.

In 1999, they opened supervised living facilities, recognizing that employment and housing are closely linked needs.

Since their inception, they have secured 580 employment contracts. They remain a reference point throughout the working lives of the hired individuals. They request more grant support as the current subsidies last for a maximum of one or two years, but the long-term follow-up and support required to maintain employment indefinitely are not subsidized.

COMPLEMENTARY ACTIVITIES

• Initial Program: Transition training to adult life for young people who have completed their formal education.
• Pre-employment Program: Training in social and employment skills, new technologies, transversal skills, and emotional intelligence.
• Training Program: Comprehensive training is provided in five competency areas: basic competencies, creative competencies, emotional competencies, autonomy skills, and digital competencies.
• Support Programs for Independent Living: Aura Fundacio offers support and guidance to individuals with intellectual disabilities who have moved into independent housing.

Additionally, through the Habitat Program, they offer the possibility for students without disabilities to share an apartment with individuals with intellectual disabilities.

SECTORS WITH THE HIGHEST DEGREE OF INCLUSION

The hospitality sector in their area is the one that accumulates the most supported employment contracts. However, the sectors of employment are quite varied: supermarkets, hotels, concierge services, universities, lottery administrations, etc.

OPINIONS OF SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS AND COMPANY MANAGERS

Expert Job Coach:
«Success is about providing good support, always focusing on the person, not on us or our performance, but on the individual. In other words, determining if this job will bring them something positive and improve their life.»

OPINIONS OF PEOPLE HIRED THROUGH SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT

Administrative Assistant in Patient Services at a Barcelona Clinic:
«I enjoy helping the public, being able to assist them. I was helped a lot, and now I am the one who wants to help others.»
«At first, I was very shy around other people, but the job coach has helped me a lot with customer service. He is very kind, very pleasant, and I trust him a lot.»
«For me, the important thing is to find something you like, that motivates and excites you. I am very happy. I feel that everyone supports me.»