Employment councelling: what works for disadvantaged people
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.34767/SZP.2017.01.11Keywords:
employment, disadvantage, advice, counselling, career, work, self-efficacy, job search, labour market, employers, exclusion, inclusionAbstract
The research aimed at identifying the ‘active ingredients’ in effective help for disadvantaged people in finding sustainable employment. A survey of over 200 research studies and papers was undertaken, giving priority to the randomised controlled trials (RCT) and independent studies. Parallel findings from good quality research in the field of psychology, interpersonal counselling and motivation were introduced. The quality of relationship between counsellor and unemployed client was found to be the most significant factor in successful support, and detailed descriptions of relevant counselling skills and behaviours are available. Methods that build self-efficacy enhance job selection, search, competition and job-keeping skills among clients. Direct contact with employers provides useful information on vacancies and job tasks and can help overcome prejudice. Programme design can influence outcomes positively or negatively. The research has been developed as a curriculum for skills of employment counsellors.
References
Bandura, A. (2012). Self-efficacy. The Exercise of Control. W.H.Freeman & Co, New York.
Blonk, R.W., Brenninkmeijer, V., Lagerveld, S.E. and Houtman, I.L. (2006). Return to work: A comparison of two cognitive behavioural interventions in cases of work-related psychological complaints among the self-employed. Work & Stress. 20, 2 (2006), 129-144.
Booth, D., Birkin R., O’Malley, J. (2009). Trainer Training Research Principles and Design Guide. Department for Work and Pensions /TRAVORS.
Caplan, R.D., Vinokur, A.D. and Price, R.H. (1997). From job loss to reemployment: Field experiments in prevention-focused coping. Issues In Childrens And Families Lives. 6, (1997), 341-379.
Cook, J.A., Leff, H.S., Blyler, C.R., Gold, P.B., Goldberg, R.W., Mueser, K.T., Toprac, M.G., McFarlane, W.R., Shafer, M.S., Blankertz, L.E. and others (2005). Results of a multisite randomized trial of supported employment interventions for individuals with severe mental illness. Archives of general psychiatry. 62, 5 (2005), 505-512.
Drew, P., Toerien, M., Irvine, A. and Sainsbury, R. (2010). A study of language and communication between advisers and claimants in Work Focused Interviews. HMSO.
Eden, D. and Aviram, A. (1993). Self-efficacy training to speed reemployment: Helping people to help themselves. Journal of applied Psychology. 78, 3 (1993), 352.
Finnegan, L., Whitehurst, D. and Deaton, S. (2010). Models of mentoring for inclusion and employment. London: ESF MOMIE and Centre for Economic and Social Inclusion. Online [Accessed 09/05/2011].
DWP (2010). Factors That Significantly Assist Employment Advisor Effectiveness. Department for Work and Pensions Internal Report 2012.
James, R.; Booth, D. (2006). Cognitive Behavioural Techniques (CBT) – their use in Advisory interviews. Journal Of Occupational Psychology Employment And Disability.
James, R. (2007). Job-capability Match, Adviser Skills and the Five Self-efficacy Barriers to Employment. Journal of Occupational Psychology, Employment and Disability. 9, 1.
Larson, A.B. (2008). The development of work self-efficacy in people with disabilities. Department Of Special Education, Rehabilitation, And School Psychology, University of Arizona.
Lehman, A.F., Goldberg, R., Dixon, L.B., McNary, S., Postrado, L., Hackman, A. and McDonnell, K. (2002). Improving employment outcomes for persons with severe mental illnesses. Archives of general psychiatry. 59, 2, 165-172.
Liu, S., Huang, J.L. and Wang, M. (2014). Effectiveness of Job Search Interventions: A Meta-Analytic Review. Psychological Bulletin.
Nicaise I (ed) Best Practice in the Evaluation of Labour Market Programmes for Vulnerable Groups (2005) EC DG employment & Social Affairs.
Price, R; Vinokur A.D. (1994). The JOBS Program. SAMHSA Model Programs.
Proudfoot, J; Guest, D; Carson, J; Dunn, G. and Gray, J. (1997). Effect of cognitive-behavioural training on job-finding among long-term unemployed people. The Lancet. 350, 9071, 96-100.
Ryn, M. and Vinokur, A.D. (1992). How did it work? An examination of the mechanisms through which an intervention for the unemployed promoted job-search behavior. American Journal of Community Psychology. 20, 5, 577-597.
Strauser, D.R., Ketz, K. and Keim, J. (2002). The relationship between self-efficacy, locus of control and work personality – Self-Efficacy and Locus of Control. Journal of Rehabilitation.
Vinokur, A.D., Price, R.H. and Schul, Y. (1995). Impact of the JOBS intervention on unemployed workers varying in risk for depression. American journal of community psychology. 23, 1, 39-74.
Vinokur, A.D. and Schul, Y. (1997). Mastery and inoculation against setbacks as active ingredients in the JOBS intervention for the unemployed. Journal of consulting and clinical psychology. 65, 5, 867.
Vuori, J., Price, R.H., Mutanen, P. and Malmberg-Heimonen, I. (2005). Effective group training techniques in job-search training. Journal of occupational health psychology. 10, 3, 261.
Williams, N. and Birkin, R. (2011). Communication style: help or hindrance in facilitating return to work? Occupational medicine. 61, 6, 380-382.
