TEP is an employment programme, exclusive to the Clubhouse Model, designed to give the opportunity of work experience to people who have not worked for some time due to mental health problems. The Clubhouse obtains a number of part time jobs from local employers. These jobs are "real jobs" that would normally be advertised locally and are payed at the full rate. A staff member or increasingly now a member (The placement manager) will then learn the job and train the member, supporting them until they feel they can take over. The Clubhouse undertakes to fill the job. If the member can't go for some reason, the backup or placement manager will cover. The placements are time limited in order to give lots of people a chance to work. Jobs are at entry level to make them accessible to as many people as possible. The object is to give the structure of work without the stress of learning new skills. Jobs are rotated to give as wide an experience as possible and can be structured to vary the experience. For instance,a first placement may be a quiet one working with one other person. When confidence is gained the member can be moved to a more busy place.
Placements are always worked with support from a member of staff and/or another member. The support is gradually withdrawn when the member working feels confident enough to manage alone. However support is always available if the member is feeling unwell or unable to work at all. In reality this rarely happens as the Clubhouse Members have proved to be extremely conscientious and generally more reliable than the 'well' workforce.
When the member has worked several placements or feels ready he/she can go into supported independent employment,full time education or back to work. Although many people do take up this option,it is also quite usual for TEP to be an end in itself. A supported placement would initially involve a staff member in the same way as a transitional placement, but the job would belong to the member and not to the clubhouse and we do not offer absence cover.
"Working on TEP gave me a sense of well being- I still miss it to be honest. It gave me something to look forward to, especially as I had the support with the transport. I liked the people I worked with- they were a good crowd. I did not even mind the early hours. I am looking forward to finding another placement". Penny Mee
"It certainly has helped me. It has given me confidence, helped me cope with situations and given me the courage to speak up. A while back I never thought I would work but I am really taking an interest in it now and enjoying it".Esther Quinton
"It is nice to think you can earn some money on your own. I enjoy the responsibility. It's nice to be trusted around confidential documents and locking up".Teresa Shaddick
"Yes it has done me good, it's given me a purpose. I have gained a lot more confidence now. It's good to be able to support other people starting out on TEP and see them gaining confidence too."Malcolm Pyett
Old Fox House has a well established programme involving up to fifteen members, with an even spread of age and gender.
