An integrated practical placement programme for students with disability: A pilot study

Abstract

Supported work internship programmes for young adults with disability are an evidence-based model, leading to greater employment outcomes. This mixed methods pilot study evaluated the experiences of students, supervisors and a project coordinator, who participated in an Integrated Practical Placement (IPP) programme for students with disability in Australia. Intervention students (n = 10) completed 3, 9-week rotations, and accessed personal placement support and employment coaches. Comparison students (n = 38) completed 3, 2-week placements without additional support. Intervention students perceived significantly greater initial changes in work skills (p < 0.01) and work readiness (p < 0.05). Intervention students reported development of communication and self-organisational skills and stressed the value of staff support. Post programme 70% of intervention students gained employment, compared with 15.4% of comparison students. The findings suggest an evidence-based supported employment programme emphasising personalised assessment and training, could provide individuals with disability the required skills to enable successful employment. © The Author(s) 2022.

Keywords

Author Keywords

employment education Supported employment intellectual disability learning disability

Index Keywords

Employment training adult attitude to health female human male questionnaire Humans Article communication skill young adult Students Thematic analysis student Likert scale qualitative research self concept Australia controlled study medical student disability disabled person intellectual impairment learning disorder pharmacist resident clinical article semi structured interview pilot study Pilot Projects education program follow up wellbeing expectation social network Hong Kong Job stress emotional stress supported employment terminal care Intellectual Disability Disabled Persons caregiver support coping behavior doctor patient relationship emotionality mental health service telephone interview

Author Affiliations

Holmesglen Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia, Holmesglen Private Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

Holmesglen Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

Holmesglen Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

Funding & Acknowledgements

Grant: 4-BZPOC0E

The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: This research was funded by a Victorian State Government - Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources Grant in 2018 (Grant number: 4-BZPOC0E). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.”

State Government of Victoria

The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: This research was funded by a Victorian State Government - Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources Grant in 2018 (Grant number: 4-BZPOC0E). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.”

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An integrated practical placement programme for students with disability: A pilot study

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