A sub-contractor on Reach Out had worked on and off with James for approximately four years through various projects.  He was first referred to them on Matching Ability with Jobs (MAWJ) when he was on New Deal Gateway and following an assessment by the Work Psychologist was diagnosed as having Asperger’s Syndrome.  Due to his disability James had been difficult to place and has needed more support than most programmes could offer. 

It was felt that James would benefit from joining the Reach Out project and getting one-to-one mentoring support through a designated Key Worker. James started with Reach Out in August 2008 and the Key Worker set about agreeing an action plan to provide a personalised support package to meet his needs. 

During a meeting session with the participant the Key Worker identified a local vacancy for a Pre-Press Print Operator and having engaged the employer, asked if they would offer James a trial.  This support resulted in him starting a placement at the end of September 2008, and having subsequently attended an interview along with other external candidates he was offered the job on 3^rd November 2008.  The Key Worker was present when he was offered the position by the manager of the company. 

The participant burst in to tears as he felt that nobody had previously wanted to give him an opportunity – at this point the manager had to leave the room as he started to cry too.  The participant has been put on to a Work step programme and will be supported through this, to enable him to sustain employment.