Role of the Disability Employment Adviser (DEA)
Jobcentre plus has a network of Personal Advisers who will offer help and support to benefit claimants in their search for work. In addition Disability Employment Advisers (DEAs) are also appointed, who offer specialist assistance to disabled people with more complex support needs. Access to DEA services is not dependant on receipt of benefit.
DEAs help disabled people to identify and overcome their personal barriers to work regardless of their disability or health condition, and provide the extra support required to help them find, keep or change their job.
DEAs have a thorough knowledge of local employers and vacancies, advise about suitable job opportunities and can act as an advocate on the disabled person’s behalf with employers, if appropriate.
DEAs are also the referral gateway to specialist programmes such as Residential Training and Work Choice and can also signpost disabled people to Access to Work programmes.
DEAs can also help disabled people and their employers explore job solutions such as the restructuring of a job’s tasks, or the environment, or the provision of or change to equipment. They also have access to the support of Work Psychologists specialising in working with disabled people, if required.
