Wirral Autistic Society are delighted to announce that the Step into Work Plus programme has won the prestigious 2014 LaingBuisson Specialist Care Awards (Autism Spectrum Services Category), hosted at the London Lancaster Hotel last night (12th March 2014).
L to R – Bev Breen (Programme Manager Step into Work Plus), Michael Portillo, and Hema Chandrashakar (Step into Work Plus)
The judges highlighted the the fantastic work carried out by the Step into Work Programme.
Bev Breen, Programme Manager said “We are delighted to win this award. Thanks to everyone who has helped and supported us at Step Into Work plus over the last two years. Our greatest success is our students and so our biggest thanks goes to them.
The Awards recognise the best performing private and voluntary providers of social care services for adults with learning or physical disabilities or mental health conditions.
Step into Work Plus, from the Wirral Autistic Society, not only helps people with Asperger Syndrome (AS) get ready for the world of work, it also helps employers recognise that they can be capable, dependable members of staff.
The programme is funded by a Big Lottery grant and the funding stipulates that each student should have one 12-week work placement. In fact, a quarter of the students have had two or three placements, and to date six remain as volunteers and eleven have accepted permanent paid roles.
Robin Bush, Chief Executive of the Wirral Autistic Society, said, “Since winning its Lottery grant in 2011, the Step into Work Plus team has achieved a tremendous amount and this award is richly deserved. At the Wirral Autistic Society our aim is to be the gold standard service for people with autism. We don’t just want to be the best nationally, we want to be world class.”
