Supported Employment Service branches out

CLARE Supported Employment Service (CSES) has opened a new office in Shannon, to enable it to more easily connect with the local business community.

The new office is in the Shannon Business Centre and CSES team leader, Alice O’Carroll said it is a very positive development.
“Our presence in Shannon, with such a high population of enterprise, will enable us to maintain regular contact with employers and update them on the benefits of recruiting CSES candidates and the assistance they will receive from us in the process,” she commented.
CSES is funded by FÁS and it supports people with an illness, injury or disability, to secure employment. The service is free of charge to both job seekers and employers.
“These are challenging times for business. However, we can assist employers by enabling them to cut down on recruitment costs. Our employment facilitators spend time assessing each candidate’s employment goals and carefully matching theses to the needs of local employers. Employers and candidates alike are supported through all stages of the employment process, from pre-employment to post recruitment. This carefully-tailored process ensures a win-win outcome for both employer and employee. Advertising and recruitment costs are cut out and the likelihood of a successful outcome is maximised through the carefully designed process,” Ms O’Carroll added.
Shannon Development CEO Dr Vincent Cunnane also paid tribute to the CSES. “CSES provides an invaluable service and I would like to commend the tremendous work of Alice O’Carroll and her team in supporting people with disabilities to find fulfilling employment locally. We at Shannon Development are delighted to be associated with the initiatives and we will continue to work closely with CSES to support them in their efforts to secure placements for their clients,” he said.
CSES were welcomed to Shannon by Helen Downes, Shannon Chamber CEO. “The chamber is delighted that CSES has made a decision to open an office in Shannon. Alice and her team provide a service that has been a huge success with many employers.
“We are confident that employers will be very supportive by considering employment opportunities for people with disabilities. The chamber plans to continue assisting CSES in its efforts to raise its profile and it wishes Alice and her team the best in their new Shannon office.”
As well as FÁS, the CSES also receives support from the EU and is funded under the National Development Plan for 2007-13. The organisation is governed by a board of directors, who between them have experience of working with people with a range of disabilities.
The board members include representatives from the Brothers of Charity, Clare Mental Health Services, IBEC and Enable Ireland. All of the CSES staff are members of the Irish Association of Supported Employment.