The LEAD project focuses on transfer of know-how and a good practice models on Supported Employment service delivery for young adults with disabilities (Y/AwDs) that has proven its viability in the United Kingdom, to beneficiary partner countries: Romania, Lithuania, and Portugal, with the ultimate goal to contribute to the creation of an inclusive European labour market. The model has been transferred, adapted and implemented and has been well received by both Y/AwD and employer organisations, suggesting that it remains valid as a framework to deliver improved employment outcomes for jobseekers with a disability. The programme changed the perception of people with disabilities and their capacity to undertake paid work. It showed that with the right type of supports, people with disabilities could make a meaningful contribution, if they wished to do so. Innovative approaches on lowering youth unemployment have been developed or adopted – the training package for family members of Y/AwD established a common multicultural and multinational methodological approach that focuses on their needs, in order to better support their children in gaining and retaining employment. Our project has raised awareness and prepared the family members making employment more attainable and smoothing the transition of young adults with disabilities from school to labour market. The results were achievable thanks to the transnational cooperation among project partners, especially in assuring quality standards in delivering Supported Employment services to Y/AwD and also in elaborating the Guide of good practice. Participation in transnational collaboration was the “step up” of each partner from operating at a regional/local level to building a transnational reputation and network, developing profile, confidence and knowledge in the labour market issues.

Target groups:

  • Young adults with a disability, age 15- 29, and their family members
  • Employers, specialists, public and private organisations involved in delivery of employment services

Project Partners:

CountryProject partner statusInstitutionType of institutionCity
RomaniaLead partnerHealth Action Overseas FoundationNGOBucharest
LithuaniaBeneficiary partnerValakupiai Rehabilitation CentrePublicVilnius
PortugalBeneficiary partnerConsultis – Business Consulting Ltd.PrivateVila Nova de Gaia
United KingdomExpertise partnerStatus EmploymentNGOCroydon

Follow us:

Related News

LEAD Project – Challenges. Results. Resources.

The implementation of the project "Labour market Employment for young Adults with a Disability - LEAD", co-funded by the EEA and Norway Grants Fund...

The integration of vulnerable groups on the labour market: The Supported...

In 2018, when we set out on the challenging path of implementing the project “Labour market Employment for young Adults with a Disability -...

The Regional Cooperation – the determining factor for the success of...

In the last years, important steps have been taken to stimulate the integration on the labour market of people with disabilities and, nevertheless, in...

Experience exchanges between employers and young adults from vulnerable groups

Between March and May, Health Action Overseas Foundation (HAO) has continued the series of experience exchanges between young adults from vulnerable groups looking for...

The wide spread of the Supported Employment model – solution for...

More than other social categories, young adults with disabilities still face difficulties every day in accesing education services and subsequently in finding a paid...

Ionuț, green spaces caretaker

Ionuț is a 25-year-old man, diagnosed with mild mental retardation. He grew up in a village, in Constanta county, and he used to help...

“Suppported employment, safety net for young adults from vulnerable groups”

interview with Alexandru SAVA, regional manager, Spartan Restaurant Why did you make the decision to integrate people from vulnerable groups, including young adults with disabilities,...

Robert, worker in a carpentry workshop

Robert is a 17-year-old young man, who graduated secondary school and lives in a village, located at 30 km from Constanța. The young man...

Cosmin, technician in an authorized protected unit

Cosmin is a 28-year-old young man from Constanța, diagnosed with schizophrenia 10 years ago. Despite his illness, Cosmin managed to graduate from the Faculty...

Portugal: Inclusion remains a mirage for people with disabilities

In Portugal, people with disabilities continue to face challenges in accessing education, employment, and culture. More than 30% of this population is at risk...